A surprise announcement of funds on Friday was a bonus for the weekend's Old Bega Hospital Raise the Roof Spring Fair.
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However, the community group pushing for restoration of the heritage building would be even more pleased if the promised $3million of state government grant money was forthcoming.
Bega MP Andrew Constance announced in a media statement Friday that $631,000 was being invested into the Bega Valley's community facilities and Crown reserves. Of that, $463,100 was slated for repairs on the main building at the heritage-listed old hospital to repair damage caused by a fire in 2004.
On Sunday, as hundreds wandered the grounds and activities on offer at the spring fair, John Reynolds of the Friends of OBH said the media alert was the first he and his colleagues had heard of the Crown Reserves Improvement Fund application's success.
However, he said that figure would go a long way towards restoring the roof and floor, depending on tender results.
Plans to restore the entire building to use as a community centre are estimated to cost around $3.4million.
"So if we get the $3million, we will be able to go ahead and do the full job," Mr Reynolds said.
Mr Constance announced the $3m in Regional Community Development Fund monies in February, at the time saying the OBH trust needed to finalise costings and have a detailed plan - which they largely have.
Friends of OBH member Jay Ellard said a few heritage matters were a hurdle for costings.
"The heritage advisor has advised it should be a pitched roof, where trusses would be more economical," Mr Ellard said.
"And we've been told to use gal iron not zinc alum. Not many people would be able to tell the difference when looking at it, but it makes a big difference to cost."
Meanwhile, the fundraising efforts of the annual OBH Spring Fair will also go towards the cost to restore the beloved building.
Market stalls, kids activities, bee keeping demonstrations and live music from the Bega District Band and Jamie Forbes among others, were accompanied by food stalls, Jellat RFS barbecue...and a Vegemite cooking competition.
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Ben Smyth
I have worked as a journalist since 2005 and am now Editor of Australian Community Media mastheads in Bega, Merimbula and Eden
I have worked as a journalist since 2005 and am now Editor of Australian Community Media mastheads in Bega, Merimbula and Eden
