Glen Innes showgrounds' Old Pavilion will get a $140,000 new roof

Local MP Adam Marshall announced the upgrade - and also issued a new Australian flag - to the Showgrounds Trust on Friday August 16, but it was only made public on Tuesday September 17.

"This showground at Glen Innes is without doubt the very best showground anywhere in country NSW," Mr Marshall said.

The new roof will make the Old Pavilion waterproof and vermin-proof, definitely an upside in a building often used to display produce during the Glen Innes show.

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But Mike Norton, chair of the Glen Innes Showgrounds Land Manager - what used to be the Showground Trust - said the show was only their third biggest event.

Properly done up, the Old Pavilion should be a beauty he said.

"It's an iconic building and to have the new roof on it will be nothing short of spectacular."

He gave credit to the Glen Innes Opportunity Shop, also known as the Red Flag, for helping pay for endless maintenance and beautification works in the showgrounds.

Member for Northern Tablelands Adam Marshall said the showgrounds trust had care of one of the state's greatest treasures.

"You don't see showgrounds that have multiple buildings that are over 100 years old, it just doesn't happen.

"Over years they've just been bulldozed or fallen down at other showgrounds.

"This is about maintaining that beautiful old building, because if they don't replace the roof the building will eventually fall down because the roof leaks!

"And it doesn't allow them to keep vermin out as well."

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Showground Trust President John Lyn said the funding would ensure the pavilion was able to be used and enjoyed for generations to come.

"Coming through the front gates of Glen Innes Showground is like stepping back in time," Mr Lyn said.

"The Glen Innes Show was once one the largest and most popular events of its kind with people travelling from as far as Tamworth by train to soak up the atmosphere and quality exhibits.

"It has been the mission of the Trust to preserve that history as best we can, however the condition of the pavilion roof has been declining rapidly posing a significant threat to the building's structure.

"I want to thank Adam for his work lobbying on the trust's behalf and ensuring we have the money to undertake this work before too much damage was caused."

Adam Marshall also announced two major grant wins for the Glen Innes Museum, a $7000 crown lands grant to help build a disabled access ramp at the rear of the building, plus a $1500 grant for new display cabinets.

Eve Chappell, museum manager at Glen Innes and District Historical Society said Steve Pearce led the application for the grant.

"As you can see our front entrance is made of steep steps and it's a hertiage listed building so we can't take those steps away," she said.

"The grant will mean we'll have much easier access for older people and others at the rear of the museum.

"It means the museum is much more easily accessible for everybody."

The museum had previously won grants worth $38,000 to fix up and refurbish the facade of the museum plus $9,037 for a fireproof room and $4897 for two horizontal plan cabinets, which will hold maps and large documents.