Retail developments to feature big names

Residents won't have so far to travel for their shopping when this emerging commercial development opens for business in about six months. Photo / George Novak

Some of New Zealand's best known names in retailing will feature in developments due to open in Tauriko and Pyes Pa over the next 15 months.

First up will be Redline Holdings' $11 million development in Pyes Pa Rd where a major supermarket brand and a privately-owned aquatic centre will anchor the project.

Developer Terry Scott said builders were due to move on to the site next week with completion expected by next May. It will include a health centre, pharmacy and restaurant.

However the 1.5ha development will be dwarfed by Tauranga Crossing at Tauriko where the first stage scheduled to open in early 2016 will include The Warehouse, Warehouse Stationery, Warehouse-owned Noel Leeming and a Pak 'n Save supermarket.

Warehouse communications manager Joanne Fullam said the first phase of building would include another 25 to 30 stores providing convenience food, cafes, service retail and other general merchandising.

Tauranga Crossing will service The Lakes and surrounding residential areas and people working in the Tauranga Business Estate.

"It will bring a wide range of new employment opportunities and act as a hub for the community," she said.

Construction was due to start before Christmas, with a roughly-laid access being the first evidence that things were starting to happen on the 12.5ha block beside SH 29, at the entrance to the business estate.

The Bay of Plenty Times understands a service station was planned to be built on an adjoining site.

Development of the Pyes Pa site into a shopping centre and the Liz van Welie Aquatic Centre has been preceded by months of infrastructural works.

Greg Cummings, the husband of former Olympian Liz Cummings (nee van Welie), said they were working closely with Redline and hoped to start work on the Liz van Welie Aquatic Centre early next year, with completion by term four of the school year.

They were currently handling more than 1000 children a week at their swim school, with more on a waiting list.

"We can't wait to get the diggers in and start excavating the pools."

Mr Cummings said they had visited all New Zealand's major aquatic centres to learn from their mistakes and successes. One of the issues was choosing the right air treatment system.

Tauranga Crossing Shopping Centre
• Stage one: 16,600 sq m of retail and 750 carparks
• Ultimate development: 44,700 sq m of retail and 1600 carparks
• Stage one completion: Early 2016