Oaklands Park hotel to create ‘world class’ suburban hub
A NEW hotel at Oaklands Park should create “a world-class precinct”, provide an employment boost, and bring new eateries to the area, Marion Council says.
A NEW hotel at Oaklands Park should create “a world-class precinct”, provide an employment boost, and bring new eateries to the area, Marion Council says.
The council has called for expressions of interest from accommodation groups interested in developing the Marion Cultural Centre site.
Tender documents show developers are expected to bring more people to the Diagonal Rd land through “a range of cultural, commercial and recreation uses such as restaurants, cafes and commercial office space”.
“The precinct will be built to the highest standards of excellence in both design and sustainability, enlivened by people day and night,” the documents state.
As the CoastCity Weekly previously reported, Marion has voted to consider development proposals for the land after a multinational chain showed an interest in the site.
The council has maintained developers must ensure the library, art gallery, theatre and cafe are incorporated the development, or state how they will help them be rebuilt nearby.
The tender paperwork states that “due consideration needs to be given to retaining or replacing” the cultural centre’s facilities.
Expressions of interest are open until August 21.
The council is expected to decide whether to go ahead with the hotel plan – and, if so, select the successful tender – after the November local government elections.
The hotel proposal follows several other plans to bring new life to the cultural centre, which opened in 2001.
In 2015, the council supported a $7 million overhaul of the centre’s plaza area.
However, after spending $325,000 on consultants and a design competition for project, it decided to set aside just $40,000 for new trees, planter boxes and chairs.
Last year, elected members began talks about eventually reviving the project, to tie in with a $174 million upgrade of the nearby Oaklands Crossing.
The council has also included $15,000 in its 2018/19 budget to turn the area into a Fringe hub, to promote the venue in the hope it would lead to return visitors.
Council documents show the Cultural Centre’s library is the district’s most popular, and about 30,000 people attend its Domain Theatre every year.
Advertiser.com.au asked four community leaders and Marion Cultural Centre users to pen their thoughts on the hotel proposal.
Below is what they had to say.
MARION MAYOR KRIS HANNA
Among the priorities listed last year by the Southern Adelaide Economic Development Board was the need for an international standard hotel in our area.
Accommodation options are extremely limited in Adelaide’s inner south, yet we have the State Aquatic Centre, Flinders Medical Centre, Flinders Uni, Westfield Marion and the Tonsley innovation precinct nearby.
Marion Council is getting the reputation as a go-ahead, get-things-done Council. No surprise then when we recently received approached to build a hotel on the site of the Marion Cultural Centre.
Our approach to such bids is to test the market in a competitive process, to make sure we get the best deal for ratepayers. We therefore invited hotel chains across Australia to lodge an Expression of Interest in the site. In September the Councillors will be able to consider the bids as assessed by Council staff.
Despite claims to the contrary, the Councillors at Marion insisted that any proposal must factor in replacing or retaining the library, theatre, art gallery and café currently enjoyed by the community.
Why have no details been released about height and number of rooms? Why have we not heard about the hundreds of local jobs to be created by the project? Because no such details have been decided. Council has yet to evaluate the proposals.
THE RED HOUSE GROUP CHAIR INES PATRITTI
The Red House Group are very concerned about the possible impending changes that may take place in and around the Marion Cultural Centre – the home of our beloved community art space – Gallery M.
Gallery M is the only fully publicly accessible community art space open seven days a week in the City of Marion.
As a group we were involved in the planning process of Gallery M – a much needed and awaited art space for the City of Marion residents and the wider community.
We have had 337 exhibitions featuring local, national and international artists since the grand opening in November 2001, bringing over 25,000 visitors from all over Adelaide and the state to our gallery.
The Red House Group is concerned that the Marion Cultural Centre and its people and in our case, especially, the gallery, should be given the respect due to it as a cherished site housing so many important community functions by the citizens of the City of Marion and art and theatre lovers of Adelaide.
SA AQUATIC & LEISURE CENTRE GENERAL MANAGER ADAM LUSCOMBE
The State Government-owned and YMCA-operated SA Aquatic & Leisure Centre, through Events SA and the SA Government, has been responsible for $60 million of economic benefit for the state.
Anything that promotes our great accommodation, great food and great visiting experience is going to be beneficial to attracting future events and increasing the economic benefit to the state.
The economy, jobs and the great experience of Marion and Adelaide will be on show to the world and all of Australia via this tourism enhancement.
The City of Marion has some great outlets, but it probably needs more when we compare it to the City of Holdfast Bay.
During events like National Championships, and when we have multiple events on at the same time, we can always do with a bit more accommodation.
We already have people staying in wonderful venues like the Marion Caravan Park and West Beach Parks, and if we can get a good mix of accommodation it will be well received.
MARION RESIDENT CAREY GREENSLADE
The Marion Library has been and continues to be an important part of our family’s life in this
community.
My children, now aged 12 and 9, both enjoyed Baby Bounce and storytelling
sessions as toddlers and we have been regular visitors ever since.
We have had the chance to discover new books, get crafty and be entertained. It is a calm place to escape to after a few hours shopping and it allows me to indulge in my love of reading.
It’s not just the Marion library but the Cultural Centre as a whole that has provided
opportunities to be involved in the arts in our local community.
The Domain Theatre has given us the chance to see good quality live theatre that is also affordable.
Our primary school is within walking distance which has allowed our kids to experience a variety of interesting excursions.
I love having a ‘me time’ place to relax, have a coffee and appreciate fine art.
The recent announcement, therefore by the Marion Council to consider proposals for
building a hotel on the site, concern me.
I don’t have a problem with development as such, especially if it brings international visitors to our area but my family and I would be devastated to lose this fantastic place.
What do you think of the hotel proposal? Leave your comment below.