A new lighting system is in place. The lights have been tested and are ready for use.

"We're turned the lights on and they're great,'' Taree City Rugby League Club president Mal Dixon enthused.

The next stage will include replacing the internal fencing and installing new seating. Mr Dixon predicts this will be completed by the second week of this month, providing the weather is favourable.

"We'll have new aluminium seating along the western side of the ground,'' he said.

This will replace the wooden seating that, like the fences at the ground, was well past the use by date.

Mr Dixon said a new electronic scoreboard/match clock will be installed well before the start of the 2016 Group Three season. There hasn't been a game clock at the ground since a previous scoreboard was removed in the early 1990s.

The work is funded by a $100,000 State government grant from the community development fund. The Bulls were successful in applying for the money following assistance from member for Myall Lakes Stephen Bromhead.

Mr Dixon hopes this will be the start of what will eventually be a total refurbishment of facilities at the ground that was once the headquarters of Group Three Rugby League as well as Taree's premier sporting venue.

Mr Dixon said the club has already commissioned a local architect to draw plans for a 600 seat grandstand to be built over the current dressing room/canteen.

However, the club can't seek a development application (DA) from council for the stand until a leasing arrangement is finalised with the ground's owners, the Taree Leagues and Sports Club.

The Bulls have been negotiating with the league club's board for more than 12 months regarding the lease but Mr Dixon said there are still some minor matters that have to be resolved.

"Their secretary-manager, Dana Wyse is away at the moment but I'll be getting in touch with her as soon as she's back at work so we can get all this sorted,'' Mr Dixon confirmed.

He added once the lease has been finalised and the club gets the DA approved they'll see what funding is available.

Mr Dixon acknowledged the support and advice the club has received from Mr Bromhead in their bid to upgrade the complex. It is expected that under the leasing agreement the football club would take over maintenance of the ground along with field-proper, which rates as the best in Group Three. Mr Dixon assured this won't be a drama.

"We have two greenkeepers in our club,'' he explained.

Mr Dixon said the club is also keen to get rid of the unused cricket nets at the ground which are now an eyesore.

"It's first in best dressed - any cricket club that wants them can have them,'' he said.

With the new lights now operable Mr Dixon said the Bulls will be able to play night matches for the first time in more than a decade.

The old lights were installed in 1985 but were never really adequate for night football. By the time they were replaced none were working.

"But it's not only us that can use the the ground,'' Mr Dixon added.

"School games can be played there of a night. Other codes - rugby or soccer can also play there. The ground is there for the community.''