Pasadena at Church Point to be acquired by council, bulldozed to make way for public park

A PRIME waterfront property in Church Point is set to be compulsorily acquired and demolished by Northern Beaches Council to make way for a public park.

Pasadena at Church Point.

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A PRIME waterfront property in Church Point is set to be compulsorily acquired and demolished by Northern Beaches Council to make way for a public park.

Pasadena, an 87-year-old site, was a popular wedding venue, motel and function centre but will now be pulled down. It has been vacant since 2009.

The move comes five years after former Pittwater Council lost an auction for the site sold for $2.4 million to Paul Peterkin.

Dick Persson and Rob Stokes at Pasadena. The Northern Beaches Council, with the assistance of the State Government will purchase the site. Picture: Supplied.

But Mr Peterkin says he’s had minimal consultation with Council on the issue.

The council would not say how much it would spend on the acquisition but it would be funded by a grant secured by Pittwater MP Rob Stokes.

The money comes from funds to help with the transition of merged councils made available after the State Government dumped several forced mergers.

The council will enter negotiations with Mr Peterkin, and, if that is unsuccessful, force the sale. Mr Stokes said the purchase was something locals had wanted for decades and it would help to fully revitalise the area.

“It’s vital that the low-key character of Church Point is maintained and its historic purpose as a community and commuter precinct continues,” he said.

The Pasadena at Church Point

“Despite millions being invested in community infrastructure improvements at Church Point, the former Pasadena site is literally the missing piece in the puzzle.

“Its location in the centre of the community precinct is prohibitive in enabling council to proceed with broader landscaping, recreational and infrastructure improvements.”

The site has been the subject of several failed development applications. The most recent plan, lodged last year, was to build a day spa there.

An artist's impression of one of the proposals for Pasadena.

Mr Peterkin said in a statement: “While we were very surprised not to have any consultation or notice about the proposed council resolution, (I was only told about it just before the meeting), it doesn’t change anything.

“We are excited … to reopen the Pasadena and have been carefully working towards that.”

Council administrator Dick Persson said it was a win for the community.

“When I saw the state of this site during visits to council’s capital works upgrade at Church Point, and after listening to locals, it was obvious what an eyesore ‘Pasadena’ is and the fact that it will soon be significantly at odds with the rejuvenated character of the area,” he said.

“It was obvious something needed to be done and that is why we have acted.”

After the land is bought, the council will create a masterplan for the area, providing a mixture of parking and recreational space.