Council considers pros and cons of Conservatorium location

Orange City Council is hoping to tap into the expertise of Australia’s leading architects to design a community building for a prominent part of town.

Orange City Council’s Planetarium committee chair, Cr Chris Gryllis, said the Council was seeking expressions of interest from architectural firms to design a building to be the home of the Orange Regional Conservatorium and the Planetarium.

The proposed location is at the civic precinct north court.

“The plan is to tap into an architect’s professional expertise and experience about what kind of building and where it would be best positioned to deliver the best result for the conservatorium, planetarium and the wider community,” Cr Gryllis said.

“The brief that’s given to architects will include the current uses of the site.”

For example current uses of the site include the monthly Orange Region Farmers Markets and the annual Carols by Candlelight.

But Cr Gryllis said the Council had done a lot to reinvigorate the civic precinct and the amphitheatre created by the new museum is an important part of that.

“Whatever happens with future development in the area there will always be a place for community events and celebrations,” he said.

“The proposal to re-locate a new home for the Orange Regional Conservatorium and Planetarium is at a very early stage.”

While there is some in-principle support for the idea of a new building along the March Street side of the northcourt space, the council is nowhere near a final decision, Cr Gryllis said.

He said the project’s future is dependent on a range of variables including funding from other sources such as the state or federal government.

The council is currently seeking expressions of interest from architectural firms to design a building.

“Another great building on that site will add to the precinct and frame better locations for open air events,” Cr Gryllis said.