Local Government Minister Stirling Hinchliffe and Western Downs Deputy Mayor Andrew Smith today inspected the $1.9 million redevelopment of Dalby’s Knowles Pavilion ahead of its official opening on 5 October.
Workers are completing the finishing touches to transform the pavilion into a modern civic centre.
"This redevelopment has transformed a hall built in the 1930s and refurbished in the 1970s into a fresh venue soon to be packed with events, expos and forums," Mr Hinchliffe said.
"Dalby now has a modern civic centre, ready for its starring role as the town’s new place to be."
The new integrated entertainment precinct will host high-level civic, cultural, community and business events that will boost the economy and bring more people and visitors into town.
The Western Downs Regional Council said the construction also created an immediate economic benefit by creating and supporting 60 jobs, with that figure increasing to 70 when the redevelopment is complete.
Mr Hinchliffe applauded the vision of Mayor Paul McVeigh, Mr Smith and the Western Downs Regional Council.
"These are the types of projects the Queensland Government wants to partner with councils to get the job done," he said.
Mr Smith said the Dalby Knowles Pavilion had been home to many significant functions, ranging from debutante balls to expos since it opened in 1939.
He said the upgrade of the much-loved precinct was set to ensure its history of remarkable events lived on.
"Charles George Knowles was a great supporter of the town - he was the President of the Dalby Show Society, sporting clubs and a prominent member of the Dalby community as the owner of a hardware store and operator of the sawmill, so it's great to be able to keep his name alive," Mr Smith said.
The official opening will be on 5 October 2018 with Jennifer Howard MP representing Minister Hinchliffe.
The redevelopment was made possible with Queensland Government funding of more than $1.072 million from the Local Government Grants and Subsidies Program.
