The 56-year-old took over as groundsman at the venue in September and is enjoying his new "office".
He has spent the past 14 years as a sports turf management lecturer at the Central Campus Otago Polytechnic.
"I’m loving it. I’m loving being back on the tools again," he said.
Smith’s first task was to prepare the surface for Otago’s Plunket Shield game against Northern Districts late last month.
The venue had not hosted a first-class match since March 2004 and the game was a cracker. Otago chased 344 to win but came up just 25 runs short.
"That was great. It was exciting and full on. There was a bit of pressure as well but I tend to perform well under pressure.
"I was never good enough to represent my province [at cricket] but by preparing facilities, whether they are golf courses or cricket pitches, you are still rubbing shoulders with elite athletes.
"I’ve loved those opportunities over the years."
Smith has previously held roles at the Timaru Golf Club and Queenstown Golf Club and began his career at the Dunedin City Council, where he had stints working at Logan Park and the Dunedin Botanical Garden.
"It was probably one of the best apprenticeships you could get in those days."
Smith and wife Kerry have two children. Daughter Emma (19) is studying tourism while son Josh (17) is following his father into the turf management industry. Smith’s next challenge is to prepare a good batting strip when the serenity at Molyneux Park is briefly interrupted on Boxing Day and on December 28. Otago is hosting twenty20 fixtures against Canterbury and Auckland respectively.
The pitch was on the slow side for the Plunket Shield match in November but there might not be much Smith can do about that.
The wicket block is long overdue for a renovation.
"The block is 42 years old, so it has been around a long time.
"They are looking at upgrading it at some stage in the future and it definitely needs it."
It is unclear when that work will be carried out but Smith is confident, with the help of assistant turf manager Guy McCone, they will be able to prepare a quality pitch.
The weather has been perfect for the preparation and the outfield is in great shape, he said.
The dressing rooms have recently been upgraded as well.
"I’ve been a rugby referee for 24 years and the changing rooms are fantastic now. It is quite exciting to see an upgrade in there.
"And the outfield is probably the best it has ever looked, really. We’ve done some major renovations."
All that is left to do, Smith said, was to "mow in the pattern".
