The 99-year-old ride in Garema Place has been boarded up since the start of August to allow for the replacement of a shutter door and canvas roof.

ACT government Property Group director Daniel Bailey said the attraction would re-open on September 8, a week later than planned, after frost and rain delayed some of the roof works and a previously unidentified crack in the facade was repaired with the advice of a heritage architect.

While the ride continues, over the next 18 months the horses will be progressively taken to a workshop for a "general spruce up", including a fresh coat of paint.

The works, budgeted at $120,000, are the first major refresh for the heritage-listed ride since it was set up in its Civic home in 1974 after arriving from Victoria.

Jeff Thompson, a manager with community group LEAD, the merry-go-round's operator, said his staff was eagerly awaiting the return of the popular ride.

"We're champing at the bit, as they're sitting about waiting to get their jobs back," he said. "We're really looking forward to getting it back for the warmer weather ... with more people around and Floriade there's a big focus on the city."

The ride creates work for six people across a week.

Mr Thompson said wedding couples would also look forward to the re-opening, with many paying about $250 per hour for use of the ride. "They love it ... there would be at least one [wedding photo shoot] a fortnight," he said.