Work to build a new home for the Orange Regional Conservatorium (ORC) and Planetarium is set to begin in the coming months after last night's Orange City Council meeting agreed to contribute up to $18.5 million to fund a shortfall in grants.
Orange Mayor Jason Hamling said he is proud the Council decided to back a project of this scale with benefits that will be felt for decades into the future.
"This is the biggest contribution that Council has made to a single project," Cr Hamling said.
TENDER AWARDED: Celebrating the awarding of the tender are (l. to r. ) Cr Kevin Duffy, Planetarium supporter Rod Somerville, ORC Committee chair Pam Ryan, ORC Director Donna Riles
"That's a sign of how important this project is to the community of Orange. It really is an intergenerational project that will help shape the culture of Orange into the future. It is a great community education facility to support with more than 1400 enrolments and students aged from 1-year olds and into their eighties."
Orange City Council's Conservatorium & Planetarium Community Committee chair Cr Kevin Duffy also serves as chair of the Council Finance Committee.
"The community hears from time to time that the Council is in good financial shape when it comes to financial measures like the debt service ratio," Cr Duffy said.
"The practical value of factors like that, really come into their own when we have a major project where we have to match government grants dollar-for-dollar."
"We're now in a position where we can use a mix of property sales and borrowings to deliver a project like this, and still be in good financial shape."
ORC Management Committee Chair Pam Ryan is excited by the decision.
"This decision represents an enormous leap forward for the Orange Regional Conservatorium and our vibrant community. It will further strengthen our highly successful programs, ensuring that we continue to nurture and inspire the next generation of musicians," Ms Ryan said.
ORC Director, Donna Riles also welcomed the news.
"This state-of-the-art building is not just a home for music, "Dinna Riles said.
"It is a testament to the power of collaboration and the belief in the transformative potential of the arts. We are tremendously excited about the countless possibilities this new facility will unlock."
The first phase of community fund-raising coordinated by the Conservatorium to deliver a high-quality fit-out of the new facility has already raised $900,000 towards a $1.5 million target. The ORC now has the certainty to move onto our second phase of the fundraising campaign.
