The Northern Midlands Council was the principle building contractor and budgeted for $1,778,409 plus $209,000 in approved variations. However, it has cost to date $2,643,370.

The upgrade was the first major development managed by the council's works department staff and included upgrading a function centre, storage shed, change rooms, umpire facilities and public toilets.

NMC mayor Mary Knowles said councillors approved the additional $650,000 in funding required to complete the project.

"It became evident that the budget allocation would not be sufficient as the project progressed, however given the timeframe to have the complex operational for user groups the project was not stalled," she said.

"The expected overruns were reported to council to allow it to make necessary adjustments to the 2019/20 budget forecasts so that the additional expenditure required for this project could be funded."

In an August meeting the council's corporate services manager Maree Bricknell said in hindsight it was evident the NMC needed to learn from this project by changing its building construction process.

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Including the use of independent costings prior to approval, checking building surveyors estimation against estimates, appointing a project manager and supervisors given detailed costings and project timing charts to guide construction.

Councillor Knowles said the quantity surveyor had not completed their estimation of why the construction costs went over.

She said the supply of reticulated gas, improving the integrity of the grandstand and the relocation of stairways from the viewing area had contributed.

The project is compete except for the car park and ground entrance, which have a separate budget of $228,022.

To fund the upgrade project the council secured a $1 million loan, a $233,409 Leveling the Playing Field grant and a $80,000 Tas Community Fund.

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