Lanspeary Park Greenhouse in need of repairs

By Travis Conant

The Lanspeary Park Greenhouse will either move to Jackson Park or see renovations once city council approves a plan from the park recreation department.

The greenhouse was originally located at Willistead Manor in 1929 and moved to Lanspeary Park in 1955. With such an old history, the building is starting to show it is in need of repairs.

City of Windsor Horticultural Supervisor James Chacko said the current greenhouse has served its purpose.

“It provides a lot of value to the city and the people of Windsor,” said Chacko. “It had a good long life and it’s at the time where it certainly needs to be looked at, repaired or replaced and that’s why you go to council and get their decision.”

According to Chacko, there are many things to consider before deciding whether or not to build or renovate.

“Step one is to look at rebuilding or renovating the current greenhouse,” he said. “Step two is to decide to build a new greenhouse whether it’s at Jackson Park or build a new greenhouse at current location.”

The cost of fixing, replacing or moving the greenhouse to Jackson Park has not been confirmed by the city but there is $1.5-million has been set aside for the project. Due to the way the building is designed, there are few options for upgrades according to a recent report from the Windsor Star.

Kayla Reid is a regular and goes to Lanspeary Park Greenhouse every year with her father around mother’s day. Reid said she wishes they would make more room in the building.

“I wish they would put more into it. I love going but the building is very cramped in there and it’s like a stampede every year,” said Reid.

Reid goes every year because she said it is cheaper than other places. If the greenhouse moved to Jackson Park it would not affect her as long as prices stay the same in the new building.

“I don’t think it would have any effect on me, it just might be a little more spacious,” said Reid.

According to a report from the Windsor Star if a new greenhouse was to be built in Jackson Park, the amount of space the greenhouse occupies would increase. Instead of 11,000 square feet at its current location it would have 22,000 square feet of space in Jackson Park.

There are no current updates to whether or not the city council has approved or denied the details.