Magnet Mart, Closed. Now what?

Now that Home Timber & Hardware, Gungahlin has closed its doors there is many pondering what will happen with that site.

I for one want to see the site redeveloped quickly and provide a facility for our growing community and not have it lay dormant for an extended period of time going to waste.

With the extension of Marketplace Gungahlin opening this week with Kmart as the major tenant and the Cinema complex development there is limited retail options. The group that owns the Spotlight chain has bought quite a few of the Masters buildings and does plan to develop them into big box retail stores. We know that Woolworths does not own the old Magnet Mart site so that might not be as clear cut the Spotlight group taking on that site. Whilst Woolworths may technically have the lease on the site there would be limited options for them to put one of their own brands there other than Dan Murphy’s.

We have had it confirmed that Bunnings owners Wesfarmers don’t own the site which could have provided some options for them such as Target, although unlikely with their other brand Kmart opening this week. Officeworks could have been an option for a portion of the site along with other similar big box retailers.

If it was to turn into a retail hub it would suit a couple of different stores such as JB Hi-FI, Good Guys, Officeworks and Spotlight. This would compliment Bunnings next door and also meet some of the demands we have seen from people commenting to us.

One idea I would personally like to see explored is turning the site into an Indoor Sports Centre. We know the ACT Government is committed to a feasibility study to look at building an Indoor Sports Centre in Gungahlin so we have written to the Government asking them to consider this site as an option. This fits in well with the Gungahlin Enclosed Oval across the road, the Gungahlin Leisure Centre not far away and of course the Gungahlin College.

We know Tennis ACT is very interested in having tennis courts in Gungahlin. They could be provided either side of the main building which by estimates would provide 6 tennis courts. Potentially 2 indoor courts could be accommodated inside the main building.

The inside of the building could be split up into a gym style space and the majority provided to indoor sports courts. A cafe/juice bar could also be incorporated into the development.

Alternatively, a huge Go Kart track!