Deni Play on the Plains Festival Ltd. board member and project manager Rob Hallum said the concrete slab was poured last week, with framing starting this week.
The administration and museum project will create a new tourism precinct on the Ute Muster site on Conargo Rd.
It is expected to be completed within four months if weather permits.
Works will include a new Ute Muster office, allowing staff to relocate to the Muster site from its premises at the corner of Poictiers and Hardinge Sts.
Also added will be include a museum, commercial kitchen, meeting/function space, landscaping, car parking and solar power.
‘‘This will hopefully mean we can expand our retail sales and memorabilia, however we have not finalised exactly what will go in there,’’ Mr Hallum said.
‘‘Staff will eventually be on site all the time, so they will have the capacity to do site work, get it all looking good, keep working out there and they will have more control on things as well.’’The Ute Muster received $1 million for the project from the government’s Drought Stimulus Package, which added to $600,000 already received from the Stronger Communities Fund.
The combined funding allows for both stages of the project to be pursued.
The Play on the Plains Festival Inc. will contribute the shortfall for the estimated $1.7 million project cost.
‘‘Liefting Constructions is the principal contractor, and there are multiple other local contractors involved in the project,’’ Mr Hallum said.
‘‘It has been an important part of the project, ensuring the Ute Muster is supporting local businesses and our community.
‘‘Druitt Earthworks prepared the building pad, Murray Construction poured the concrete slab which will be the base of the building, and Rhys Tremble Concreting and Engineering is currently putting in the steel frame.’’
Also included in the project is a fully operational 30ft Comet windmill which was installed in late September, 2019.
The windmill will not only be part of the new tourist attraction but will also be educational with information on the history of the Comet and other windmills in the region displayed at the museum.
‘‘A lot of people stop at the front gate at the Ute Muster site to take photos, so the museum and windmill will give visitors another attraction that will run year-round, not just during the Ute Muster,’’ Mr Hallum said.
‘‘We expect the project to be finished and ready before the next Ute Muster, which will be beneficial to staff, volunteers and visitors particularly throughout our next event.’’
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