Deputy Nationals leader Bridget McKenzie has come under the fire this week after an Auditor-General's report found political preference was given when awarding grants in some Coalition electorates and marginal seats the Morrison government hoped to win at last year's May election.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Wallerawang Community and Sports Club received a $480,000 Community Sport Infrastructure grant through the Federal Government in late 2018.
Club CEO Steve Jackson said that he didn't believe they got the grant under suspicious circumstances.
"We aren't a marginal seat, and we've been trying to get this funding since 1996," he said.
"First we were promised it by the Malcolm Fraser government but it fell through and then the next State Labor government but they reneged on their promise, and now finally this government came good."
The new extension comfortably seats 210 people for dining and approximately 400 people in the event of a concert.
There is also a bar, kitchen, toilet facilities and a dressing room.
Mr Jackson said they were on the home stretch for completing the project; hoping to have it complete by February 14 and open for the public in March.
"We are trying to get it all finished within budget, this build is worth more then what we have built it for,"
The group relied heavily on help and free labour from local tradespeople.
"We have probably received around $300,000 worth of in-kind labour and donations, we couldn't have done it without the community support," he said.
The build is now in the lock up stage; with doors, glass benchtops, moving of kitchen equipment, setting up the bar and some final touches being worked on before it is revealed to the public.
"I'll be relieved when it is all done and complete, we have spent a lot of hours working on the site everyday," he said.
"We are the club that is still a club."
While you're with us, you can now receive updates straight to your inbox from the Lithgow Mercury. To make sure you're up to date with all the news, sign up here.