Following a Council Meeting on Tuesday 25 March 2025, Ararat Rural City Council are now seeking community feedback on the suggested future use of the Orchid Glasshouse space at Alexandra Gardens.
The Orchid Glasshouse was donated by the Ararat Rotary Club in 1980 to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of Rotary in the municipality. The glasshouse's original purpose was to display Cymbidium orchids annually from July to November.
In recent years, the glasshouse has seen continued damage by vandalism resulting in the eventual removal of the glass windows in the interest of the community's safety.
Ararat Rotary Club members have engaged with Council to discuss the removal of the unused structure and to explore future possibilities for the location.
Following consultation with the Ararat Rotary Club, Council will arrange to remove the remaining steel frame to make way for a new use of the space.
Informal discussions have brought several suggestions such as a sensory garden, a performance space, an open community space for picnics and other social gatherings throughout the year, and the installation of a digital screen to televise seasonal sports.
Council now invites the community to submit their suggestions and feedback as to the future use of this space via Engage Ararat: engage.ararat.vic.gov.au/orchid-glasshouse-alexandra-gardens
Submissions are open until Thursday 10 April 2025.
"The proposed removal of the Orchid Glasshouse presents a unique opportunity to create a repurposed space that better reflects the community's needs and expectations," says Ararat Rural City Council CEO, Dr Tim Harrison.
"We are committed to actively listening to our community and are seeking their input to help shape the future use of this space."
