Cycling group calls for Rymill Park kiosk to be reopened

For years, it was a beloved cafe and kiosk in Adelaide’s parklands, but it closed in 2018. Now a group of cyclists are asking – why can’t it reopen?

Cyclists Kim Baker, Tim Lebbon, Greg Mattner, Richard Tollis, Rob Bramley and Jim Turner are asking for the Rymill kiosk to be reopened. Picture: Dean Martin

One of the state’s oldest recreational cycling groups is calling for a popular parklands cafe to be reopened.

The FatBoys have been lobbying Adelaide City Council for two years over the future of the Rymill Park kiosk, closed last year following the death of its long-time operator, Arnie Rossis.

The condition of the kiosk, beside the park’s lake, is deteriorating while the council negotiates with a new operator, who has delayed opening because of COVID-19.

FatBoys member Kim Baker said the group always ended its rides with coffees at Rymill Park, with its 100 members regarding the kiosk as their “ancestral home” of 20 years.

“For two years we have been getting fobbed off every time we ask the council what is happening,” he said.

“We just want to see it open again and get back in there.

“If this was a commercial venture, it would have been back operating two years ago.”

Mr Baker said the Fatboys had continued to gather at the kiosk after it was taken over in 2013 by Mr Rossis’ daughters, Ester and Leah.

Arnie Rossis outside the Rymill Park kiosk.

The pair decided to shut the kiosk in 2018 following a decision by the council to put its lease out to tender during construction of the O-Bahn tunnel.

The project caused considerable disruption to Rymill Park, adversely impacting on the business, while the lake also suffered a prolonged algae outbreak.

A new operator took over from Mr Rossis’ daughters before deciding to close in May last year.

The council since has undertaken community consultation on a masterplan for the park, seeking public opinion on whether to create wetlands or keep the existing lake.

Mr Baker said it was time the council resolved the future of the kiosk – and whether it will be included in the new masterplan.

“It is a wasted resource for the community and lost income to council,” he said.

“They claim they need to charge the universities f

or rates, yet they cannot be bothered to get this cafe reopened to collect the rent.”

A council spokesman said it was continuing to work with its preferred operator relating to the future of the kiosk during the pandemic.

Arnie Rossis in 2014, returning to run with Rymill Park kiosk after his cancer treatment, with his daughter Leah and son-in-law Nick. Picture: Tait Schmaal.

It had begun deploying a mobile coffee van to Rymill Park as an interim measure.

“We will continue to look at how we can activate the kiosk on a temporary basis until such times as we are ready to reshape the facility,” he said.

“The hospitality industry has been seriously impacted due to the COVID-19 pandemic and there is a real reluctance from operators to commit in what is challenging times.

“From a leasing perspective this is being felt right across Adelaide and beyond.”

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