The closure of the Tropical Display House in Robbins Park continues to look imminent unless a volunteer community group comes forward to look after the attraction.

Tauranga City Council's $100,000 cost-cutting exercise was among the hotly contested topics that stood out from the public's Long Term Plan submissions earlier this month.

The Robbins Park Tropical Display House. Photos: Tracy Hardy.

In the near future, council will begin their three-day Long Term Plan deliberation process, as they consider some 654 submissions and petitions. The deliberations are the next step before the LTP is finalised on June 30.

The display house has been a prominent feature in Robbins Park since 1954 when it opened as ‘Begonia House'. Prior to this it was the borough glasshouse.

Council outlined that the tropical display house would close next year unless people were prepared to step up and take over the management of the 60-year-old building.

They believe the facility is underutilised compared to other facilities operated by Parks and Recreation.

Options to reduce the tropical plant display hours were first considered in the draft 2014/15 annual plan, but a decision was deferred because councillors said at that time that it hadn't been highlighted in the consultation process.

In total, 73 submissions were received, with 28 supporting council's stance while 37, plus a 543 signature petition from the Tauranga South Garden Club, opposed the closure.

According to a council report, it is recommended that the display house closes once its contract expires on June 30, 2016.

This will save $70,000 in the first year (after demolition costs) and $100,000 annually from then on - an average saving of $1.80 per ratepayer.

However, council have admitted they would consider keeping the display house open if a volunteer community group took over maintenance and operations. This would require community funding for plants, operating and any additional costs.

There would also be health and safety considerations for volunteers.

The third option is to leave the Tropical Display House operating as the status quo. This would cost council nothing in 2016, $69,350 in 2017 and $96,350 each year from 2018, as well as an estimated $100,000 to upgrade the building.

Tauranga Mayor Stuart Crosby says at this point in time, the display house's closure is the recommended option, but the question could also be asked whether Cliff Road is the most appropriate location.

The Tropical Display House will be discussed at 1pm next Wednesday.