Cr Pianta said the upgrade was funded from the grandstand insurance claim.

Collie Shire Council received a $289,000 payment after the grandstand at the recreation ground was destroyed by fire three years ago.

“They (the workers) were surprised that about 30 people at a time would go on the balcony – it was dangerous,” he said.

“That is why I have been pushing for something to be done.”

Other parts of the recreation ground were also refurbished, he said.

“The umpires’ rooms have been redone and the bitumen in the main car park has been redone,” he said. A new fence was also put around the football oval and the main lights have been upgraded in preparation for night games.

“Twenty-two night games will be played in the south-west this season and Collie will host two or three of those,” Cr Pianta said.

A proposal for a playground on the old grandstand site has been added to the wish list, along with more money to finish the bitumen at the front of the visitors’ clubrooms.

“There is still a bit of money to be spent, but the bowls club and the tennis club will be looking to get a new shared car park,” Cr Pianta said.

He added that the recreation ground was looking “a lot better than it was.”