OUTSIDE THE SQUARE: Locals share grand plans for revamp of tired shopping centre

AN ICE skating rink, a return to a public market and an indoor plaza are among the brainstorms from local residents for a revamp of Geelong’s Market Square.

The City of Greater Geelong has kicked off development of a masterplan for the central Geelong precinct, with consultation open for community members to have their say on how to revitalise the area.

The most popular suggestion so far is an idea to convert the shopping centre into an ice rink.

A concept shared by a public user on the Geelong website shows a three-level plaza with the rink on the ground floor and a mezzanine-style shopping centre above, all covered by a glass roof.

“A shopping centre makes an ideal location for an ice rink due to its protection from the elements, usually adequate supply of parking, as well as creating a symbiotic relationship between visitors to the rink and the shops around it,” the submissions stated.

 

 

“With adequate seating, it could become a spectator destination, and able to host high level matches between state-based teams.”

The user also suggested that renewable energy technology advancements meant the rink could be maintained without “onerous energy consumption”.

Another idea is to create a “Queen Victoria-style market” for the city, mimicking the famous commerce centre in Elizabeth Street, Melbourne.

That change would mark a return to Market Square’s roots as an array of produce stalls in its early history during the late 1800s.

“I believe a Queen-Vic style market would add to the culture of Geelong, stimulate life in the CBD, increase tourism, and boost the economy,” a submitter said.

“As Market Square is quite a large precinct, it offers opportunities for multi-use, with the potential of a Queen-Vic style market occupying a portion of the precinct, whilst being complimented by other initiatives.”

 

 

The idea was inspired by a proposal last year from TANDEM Design Studio – who have previously been involved in development of Melbourne’s Federation Square and Hobart’s Museum of Old and New Art (MONA) – for a similar development at Gheringhap Street’s Waterfront Christian Church. A $250 million mixed-use development called Cunningham Place has since been submitted for planning approval at the site.

Another popular idea was to open the precinct via side streets and laneways to create an accessible meeting space, which would remove the perceived sense of isolation from the surrounding shopping area.

“If there were some way of incorporating the square and entrances to the laneways into a larger complex and open up the square completely on the market square shopping complex side, it would no longer be a separate place,” a submitter stated.

Opening the area to pedestrians, adding more green space to the CBD and continuation of the successful Little Malop Street restraint precinct were other ideas floated in the consultation hub.

The City is accepting submissions until Friday, February 24, either at pop-up stalls at Market Square or online at yoursay.geelongaustralia.com.au/MSM