Stromlo Forest Park is a world-class mountain biking facility and any new business would need to cater to riders from all over Australia. Photo: Stromlo Forest Park Facebook.
The ACT Government is spinning the wheel for a new business operator to take over leases for the cafe and bike hire spaces at University of Canberra Stromlo Forest Park, billed as Canberra’s unique, premier multi-use facility.
The current leases are expiring and the government wants to test the market to find the best value and most appropriate uses for a facility that is still in long-term development but attracts more than 670,000 local and interstate visitors a year, including equestrian riders, runners, road cyclists, and mountain bikers.
The leases are for two secure 40-foot (12 sqm) containers, each with a floor space of 30.5 sqm, at each end of the roofed structure at UC Stromlo.
The tender document says the current cafe and bike hire businesses are an important part of the overall visitor experience for park patrons, and both these opportunities are included in the suggested list of uses.
Other options include bicycle repairs or storage, sports accessories or sports brand display and marketing.
Any new business would be expected to open at a minimum on weekends, public holidays and for major events. However, the tender documents suggest the government is looking for a seven-day operator, noting the more than 1200 bookings including training sessions and community events during 2023-24, attracting more than 73,780 participants.
The government is seeking a quality offering at competitive prices, in sync with UC Stromlo’s mission and themes, and an operator that can work with UC Stromlo to promote the facility as a national tourism destination.
It also wants a business that complements current and potential future commercial operators at the park.
An aerial shot of Stromlo Forest Park, which will be further developed in stages. Photo: ACT Government.
The containers will be delivered “as is” for fitout plans, which should be aligned with the “look and feel” of UC Stromlo.
The lease term will be five years from 1 September, 2025, with the government having the option of extending it by two years.
UC Stromlo, in the Molonglo Valley, is open seven days a week throughout the year, accessible from 6 am to 6 pm during non-daylight saving hours, and 6 am to 9 pm during daylight saving hours.
It boasts an onsite, purpose-built event pavilion, a 1.2 km criterium cycling circuit, a 2.5 km grass cross-country running track, a network of equestrian trails, pump track and more than 50 km of dedicated mountain bike trails for riders of all abilities.
It has hosted major events such as a Mountain Bike World Cup, Mountain Bike World Championships, Cross Country National Championships and the Canberra Running Festival.
Both the Centenary Trail and Bicentennial National Trail pass through UC Stromlo, and there are kilometres of shared trails for those wanting to explore on foot.
A development application is imminent for district playing fields and the master plan shows several potential projects, including a village, accommodation, more cycling facilities and an enclosed oval.
The tender closes on 13 February.
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