With the 2013 Mower County Fair just weeks away, the new grandstand is right on schedule.

“The grandstand part of the project is nearing completion,” Public Works Director Mike Hanson told the county board Tuesday.

With the seating nearly complete, there’s still work to do on the roof, concrete, water lines and some electricity, but Hanson anticipates everything should be ready for the fair Aug. 6-11. Work on fencing around the grandstand should start this week.

“It’s falling into place,” he said. “We’ll be happy when it’s done.”

The Austin Fire Department demolished the old grandstand in a controlled burn in February. A structural engineer deemed it unsafe shortly before the 2012 fair after dry rot was discovered in the wood base. The 1,500-seat grandstand is made of steel and aluminum and will cost around $700,000. The Hormel Foundation is paying for $250,000 of the costs.