Apollo Projects took over the site at the beginning of September, and has since fenced off the area and felled several trees.
Staff would begin stripping the soil in the next couple of weeks, before making a start on the foundations.
Ahead of the first sod being turned, the project has become "a much more real thing" now that the grandstand had been torn down and the area fenced off, Waitaki District Mayor Gary Kircher said this week.
Mr Kircher said he was still committed to finding as much of the council’s $15million contribution outside rates funding as possible.
"At least $5m of the $15m is coming from non-rates sources, so we’re working on that and if we can make it more than $5m, that’s my goal."
Apollo Projects South Island regional manager Gerry Sullivan said if there were any cost overruns, the company would be footing the bill.
"We’ve got to work really hard to deliver it on budget, on time and to the highest quality."
He was committed to using as many local subcontractors as possible, he said.
Plunket Electrical did the underground wiring and Road Metals was supplying aggregate.
Less than 30% of the project had been procured, so there were still plenty of opportunities for Oamaru businesses to get involved, he said.
Bringing in people from out of town also brought benefits, such as increased business for accommodation and food.
Mr Sullivan said the event centre should be enclosed by next winter.
