COOK Park’s iconic begonias are set to have their home upgraded, with $120,000 to be spent on the Blowes Conservatory this year.
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Identified as part of Orange City Council’s 2017-18 draft budget currently on exhibition, the 1934 greenhouse will receive its first major upgrade since mayor AW Blowes donated it to the city.
It was donated so tuberous begonias could be grown in Orange and Cook Park staff play a crucial role in growing them and showing them off for three months a year, supplemented with plants from Ballarat.
The ageing brickwork foundations will be repaired, wood rot will be treated treated and replacement glass installed around the base during the years will be removed in favour of glass matching the originals.
The higher glass panes will be replaced with stronger, glazed panes and better lighting and heating installed.
Councillor Reg Kidd said the improvements would not only improve the begonias’ longevity by protecting them from frost, they might also allow for other floral displays during the year.
“We haven’t had too many frosts recently, but you can see the higher ones have some frost damage and the ones still flowering are the ones with more protection,” he said.
With the conservatory hosting a World War I exhibition in 2015 to commemorate the Gallipoli campaign centenary, Cr Kidd said there was room to showcase the park’s history.
“We could have something about Bastick Cottage or weddings that were held in the park, it certainly would make interesting viewing,” he said.
The work will be designed and completed by working with heritage consultants.
Cr Kidd said the conservatory continued to play an important role for visitors, which recently included Better Homes and Gardens presenter Graham Ross, and nursing home residents regularly brought to the park.
“I’m so excited to see it brought back to its former glory,” he said.
The council’s draft budget is open to submissions for another fortnight, closing on June 6.
Visit www.orange.nsw.gov.au to access the documents.