Lynmore Junction: Tenants revealed

Rotorua MP Todd McClay, left, Mayor Steve Chadwick, and Ryan Holmes from the Holmes Group look over plans for the new Lynmore Junction development. Photo/Ben Fraser

Tenants for Rotorua's Lynmore Junction have been unveiled, with the site expected to become one of New Zealand's largest all-weather entertainment centres.

The $13 million 2.7ha development on the former Sealed Air site on Te Ngae Rd is due to open in September next year and will include a range of entertainment outlets, as well as a high-end small-format supermarket, pharmacy, service station and fast food outlets.

The supermarket is understood to be along the lines of Nosh and Farro Fresh, although developers have confirmed it will be neither of those brands.

Yesterday the four tenants that will take centre-stage in the 6085sq m entertainment zone were announced.

Strike Zone Entertainment Rotorua, Megazone Laser Tag Rotorua, Timezone Games and Chipmunks Playland & Cafe are the first to be publicly named. The zone will also feature a trampoline centre. More tenants are expected to be revealed in the coming weeks.

Lynmore Junction is being developed by Rotorua's Holmes Group, which has owned the site for 36 years. It is expected to create a significant number of new jobs through construction and the completed development.

Managing director Ryan Holmes said the development would be "unlike anything ever seen in Rotorua before".

"It's a new concept for Rotorua but big in the US," he said.

"At the moment a lot of families travel out of town to do things like trampolines parks or laser tag. We want to provide something that's high quality and innovative."

He said the plans had taken three years so far but now "the hard yards" had been done people would soon see work begin.

The New Zealand Transport Agency has brought forward planned traffic lights for the intersection at Te Ngae Rd and Iles Rd. This is being paid for by Holmes Group to make sure there is safe and easy access to the site and allay any safety concerns.

Mr Holmes said they hoped to start demolition work in the next six to eight weeks and for construction to start in January.

Rotorua mayor Steve Chadwick said it was an exciting development aimed at both locals and visitors.

"We're seeing a substantial development that fits the growth of this great place to play. That's what talks to me."

Mrs Chadwick said Lynmore Junction would appeal to Rotorua residents as well as visitors.

Rotorua MP Todd McClay said it was "an extremely exciting" development on top of others already under construction in the city. "I think it's a vote of confidence and a sign of the positiveness we have seen in the local economy over the past 18 months. Rotorua is a tourist town but this has a great mix of appeal for both visitors and locals."