As part of the redevelopment of Logan Park, the old pavilion, situated near Union St, is getting a complete makeover.
And floodlights are to be installed at Logan Park outside the pavilion and also at the University Oval grounds, opposite Forsyth Barr Stadium.
Dunedin City Council parks and reserves team leader Martin Thompson said in no way had the pavilion and floodlights been built to cater for the Highlanders.
Thompson said the ground was becoming increasingly popular for sports teams and needed a decent pavilion.
The cost of upgrading the pavilion was about $1.1 million and the floodlights would cost about $170,000.
All funds were coming out of the fund already set up by the council to develop Logan Park.
The pavilion, which is believed to have been built in the 1930s, was well past its use-by date and many people preferred not to use it, and went home to shower and change, Thompson said.
The inside of the pavilion had been completely gutted, and a new roof was being put in place.
There would be two large dressing rooms inside which, with a divider, could be made into four dressing rooms.
A first-aid facility was alongside.
Thompson said the Highlanders were welcome to use the new pavilion but would pay booking fees, as would any other sports group.
Floodlights would increase the use of what were becoming really important grounds.
The lights should be ready to go by the end of the month, while the pavilion should be finished by July.
Rain over the past couple of weeks had had an impact on progress of the pavilion.
