MILDURA Council is seeking expressions of interest from “experienced persons and businesses” to operate a cafe at the soon-to-be-completed Mildura South Regional Sporting Precinct.
Described as a “new and exciting opportunity for the potential operator”, the cafe has been earmarked to operate “at least six days a week” in keeping with the precinct’s operating hours.
The council’s cafe operations project brief said the precinct would generally be staffed from 3pm to 11pm Monday to Friday unless activities were being delivered by internal program staff or external hirers, while weekend operations would be determined by competition and training events.
Current requests for hire indicated usage throughout weekends from 9am, according to the council.
The project brief said that while the precinct was formulating its draft schedules with user groups, including five regular tenants, based on demand the amount of court usage was exceeding expectations.
It said the precinct would generate an estimated 200,000 visits each year and scheduling for the summer indoor sporting schedule had indicated about 3500 visits each week.
The opening of the precinct has been scheduled for mid-July this year with South Mildura Sporting Club, Mildura Basketball Association, Mildura Netball Association, Sunraysia Volleyball Incorporated and Mildura District Badminton Club as its initial tenants.
“The regional-standard facilities will enable major events including concerts, conferences and national and regional sporting competitions, in addition to being a preferred venue for local sporting finals matches and championships,” according to the project brief.
“It is expected that the precinct and its surrounding gardens will be of high appeal to residents within the locality.
“Other customers will include event co-ordinators, social and family groups, schools and other sporting organisations.”
In addition, the precinct will host a number of state and regional sporting events, including competitions, tournaments, gala days and exhibitions.
The 108 square metre cafe will comprise a commercial kitchen, storage and serving areas that include cool and dry storage rooms, with internal seating for about 36 people as well as further outdoor seating opportunities overlooking the premier oval.
The expression of interest is seeking suitable operators who propose to provide a variety of services that may include quality food and beverage products including healthy options; liquor sales; catering service for functions and events; an option to attract and host functions and events outside the leased area, and an option to cater for tenants and hiring groups.
The project brief said the sporting precinct cafe would be one of only a few food and drink retailers in the South Mildura area and “little to no competition for like services in the immediate surrounding area”.
Expressions of interest close with the council on June 9.
