The Queen Elizabeth Park grandstand will be the centre of attention at a fundraising function in the Masterton Town Hall tonight where the guest speaker will be former Black Caps captain and coach John Wright.
It is the first venture organised by Wairarapa Cricket's Grandstand Facelift Committee, which is aimingto contribute $60,000 towards the upgrading of the building, initially constructed in 1895.
Importantly the extensions and upgrading work proposed will retain the facade of the Victorian-style grandstand so its overall appearance remains in keeping with the period in which it was constructed.
The plans include the extension and refurbishing of the changing facilities to meet the requirements for first-class fixtures, the long room at the back of the seating area will almost be doubled in size so functions can accommodate upwards of 100 people and kitchen, bar and ablution amenities will also be enhanced.
Cricket is by no means the only sport at Queen Elizabeth Park over which the grandstand has lorded.
Athletics, marching, cycling, football, rugby and croquet have all made use of the picturesque oval over the years and today we look to rekindle memories by delving into the archives for pictorial evidence of that fact.
