mmg.com.au

A $1 million redevelopment of the Deniliquin Ute Muster site is almost complete.

Following on from the new stage that was built last year, the whole site will soon be connected to electricity.

New toilet blocks are also expected to be erected this week, with the aim to have the project finished by the weekend.

Local tradesmen have been working to get the project complete before the inaugural Deni Blues & Roots Festival, which will be held at the site over Easter.

Ten towers each with four 2000-watt lights have also been erected at the Conargo Rd Site.

Underground power cables will be completed soon.

The work was expected to be finished last week, but Deniliquin Play on the Plains Festival general manager John Harvie said rain forced the tradesmen to stop work.

The installation of underground power to trade sites and lighting towers is ‘‘99 per cent complete’’, he said.

‘‘We’ve had a pretty tight schedule and we’ve come through with flying colours,’’ Mr Harvie said.

‘‘There have been some fantastic people involved.’’

The upgrades have been funded by a $500,000 grant from Regional Development Australia, along with $411,000 of the Ute Muster’s own money.

Work completed last year in time for the 2012 Ute Muster included construction of the international standard stage, which is 13m high, 50m long and 16m deep.

At the same time, a tractor pull arena was built and the existing sports arena was doubled in size.

Grass was also planted in front of the new stage before Christmas, which Mr Harvie said has been boosted by recent rain.

Blues & Roots festival goers will now be able to flock to a beautiful green lawn to watch the incredible line-up for the Easter event.

Muster site manager Simon Perrett started working on the grass in November last year.

For information about the blues festival, visit denibluesfestival.com, and for more information about this year’s Ute Muster, visit www.deniutemuster.com.au.