Instead they have called for modest repairs to bring the ground up to a community-use level.

An independent report commissioned by Orange City Council recommended spending $20,000 to demolish the ground's canteen, toilets and change room facility because the upgrade cost was high.

Orange mayor Cr Reg Kidd said Perry Oval, off Victoria and Clinton streets, had been neglected and needed a new lease of life. "I'm not talking about the Sydney Cricket Ground or anything, but a place where kids could actually play," he said.

"The surface has just had no maintenance on it."

Cr Glenn Taylor achieved a $50,000 allocation in this year's council budget to improve the ground.

He said he was shocked when he read the demolition recommendation.

"Absolutely, I was gobsmacked," he said.

"We don't need it up to the standard where it is going to be a flash sporting facility. We don't want it perfect," he said.

Cr Taylor said the cost would be 'modest' to restore it to a satisfactory state for use for community activities or a training field.

He said he fought for 20 years to have a toilet block built in Robertson Park and hoped for a swifter campaign over Perry Oval.

"I'm just as determined with this one," he said.

He asked for the costs of the private report and why it had been commissioned.

Cr Taylor said he was also unaware an earlier report on the facility in 2013 had recommended the building be locked up and not used due to safety reasons.

Several councillors said they were unaware of the 2013 report as it had not come before the council.

Cr Kevin Duffy said a proposal by Cr Taylor to ask local tradespeople to look at the work should be considered.

Cr Tony Mileto said this year's report had clarified for all councillors the extent of work needed to restore the building.

He said any form of repair would need to satisfy insurers that it was safe and usable by the community.

"There appears to be some major structural issues with the building," he said.

"When you take the sentiment out, is this good ratepayers' money being spent to do the building up and if so for what purpose?"

Council was also told $30,000 had been allocated to replace the irrigation system at the ground. Preliminary work has begun.

Council agreed to defer a decision until an on-site inspection was held with councillors and staff.

The oval is named after Dan Perry, a long-time councillor and local resident.