Lease Offer Commercial/Retail Casuarina Aquatic & Leisure Ctr

⁠⁠⁠Introduction:

The City of Darwin is seeking Expressions of Interest (EOI) from suitably qualified parties (Registrants) to enter into lease arrangements for the ancillary commercial & retail accommodation at the proposed $25 million Casuarina Aquatic and Leisure Centre redevelopment.

It is envisaged the ancillary commercial and retail accommodation will include tenancies such as Allied health services, gym / fitness facilities, cafe / restaurant and Creche, however Council is open to any proposals which will complement the tenancy mix and further activate the destination.

Tenancies can vary in size depending on tenant's needs, permitted use and tenancy mix.

Lease terms of up to ten years with options to extend will be considered which may include fit out incentives and other concessions.

Objectives:

The objective of the EOI process is to identify suitable potentially interested tenants at the commencement of the of the detailed concept design so as to inform and integrate into the development.

Once completed the detailed concept designs will be presented to Council for approval with construction expected to commence mid 2021 and completed mid 2022.

Background:

The City of has committed funding to redevelop Casuarina Pool with the objective to create a fun, family friendly and a contemporary aquatic recreation and leisure destination that intrinsically links the development to the Darwin environment.

The current location is central to Darwin's major residential area, the extensive Casuarina Shopping Complex; Charles Darwin University; a bus interchange and is the closest aquatic centre to the new Muirhead North/Lee Point housing development. The site is well suited to enhancement and there is strong community support for Council's strategic vision for the development. The redevelopment provides Council with an opportunity to take advantage of the leisure market gap and avoid further duplication of the City's current aquatic facilities at Parap and Nightcliff.

The Draft Masterplan Concept:

Following extensive demand analysis, market research and financial modelling, a draft masterplan was developed to provide a resort-style complex with differentiated appeal in the Darwin aquatic landscape. The design was developed in order to meet the market gaps and expand the overall aquatic and leisure market. Council has considered community and stakeholder responses with the key elements included in the Concept Design being:

1.  A "resort-style" pool.
2.  Learn to swim & aqua fitness areas.
3.  A stylish cafe/restaurant overlooking the pool with street and pool access.
4.  A shaded 8 lane 50m multi-purpose lap/exercise/water sports pool.
5.  A heated 6 lane 25m multipurpose pool.
6.  A commercial area designed to support complementary commercial and retail areas.
7.  Fully accessible change facilities.
8.  Flexible indoor/outdoor community spaces

Contracts Section