New Queensland retail centre to feature Viva Leisure brands

The developers of the new Yamanto Central in the South East Queensland city of Ipswich have announced that Viva Leisure has secured two sites within the shopping mall where it plans to launch its first Queensland hiit republic space along with the group’s first purpose built Club Lime in the state.

Looking to offer a new type of retail environment, Yamanto Central is the first stage of the 25 hectare Yamanto Town Centre masterplan, which will bring together a modern, convenient and community oriented mix of retail, health and wellness and casual dining to the area.

Located within Brisbane’s western growth corridor and due for completion in the first half of 2021, Yamanto Central has already signed Coles and Kmart to anchor each end of the centre which will also feature state-of-the-art modern stores, along with a raft of other well- known and locally owned brands. 

Commenting on the Canberra-based operator’s presence as part of the new-build development, Viva Leisure Managing Director and Chief Executive, Harry Konstantinou stated “we are excited to be extending our Queensland footprint enhancing the health and wellbeing precinct within the new development, Yamanto Central. 

“The Ipswich region is the fastest growing in the country, with burgeoning populations and a fantastic community.  We see this area as a wonderful opportunity for Viva Leisure. This site will provide the precinct with world class fitness facilities, with our 24/7 gym, Club Lime and group training studio hiit republic opening in 2021.”

Yamanto Central development project manager, James Hood of DMA Partners, is delighted with the project’s progress, advising “the Centre is attracting a strong level of interest across a good mix of businesses.  The addition of the Viva Leisure brands to the centre supports our leasing strategy and anchors our lifestyle mall.”

Explaining how the innovation that the development will offer, Vicki Leavy, General Manager of JMK Retail, comments “this centre epitomises everything that is wonderful about traditional community based retail.

“Neighbourhood shopping centres will always have a place in communities as they genuinely create important hubs for people.

“Yamanto Central is going to take the concept of a super neighbourhood centre to the next level.  It will bring much needed convenience and lifestyle offerings to an established residential catchment that still has decades of strong growth ahead, much of it involving young families with children looking to establish their forever homes.  

“Yamanto Central will not only offer the local community a place that is close, convenient, engaging and vibrant, it will have a strong emphasis on health and wellbeing, a place for families to thrive, providing the little ones with facilities to learn to swim and even local jobs for the older kids after school.   It will be alive and buzzing with activity with all the stores and brands people need to live comfortably - locally.”

Rackley Swimming will also be operating a learn-to-swim facility in the centre.

Viva Leisure completes despatch of Retail Entitlement Offer
As of last week, Viva Leisure Limited announced the completion of a Retail Entitlement Offer Booklet and personalised Entitlement and Acceptance offer.

Commenting on this, Konstantinou added “we’ve been really pleased with the response from new and existing shareholders who have participated in the Placement and the institutional component of the Entitlement Offer.

“Investor feedback was overwhelmingly supportive of our strategy and their backing will allow Viva Leisure to capitalise on opportunities as they arise.

“The equity raising has been structured in a way that gives all retail shareholders the best opportunity to participate should they choose to. I encourage eligible shareholders to review the Retail Offer Booklet for details on how they can participate.”