Only one bidder for convention centre
Malta Fairs and Convention Centre was the only bidder for the convention centre at Ta' Qali by the time the call for tenders closed on Tuesday."We never ruled out that there might be other bidders. Therefore we spent a lot of time to come up with a...
Malta Fairs and Convention Centre was the only bidder for the convention centre at Ta' Qali by the time the call for tenders closed on Tuesday.
"We never ruled out that there might be other bidders. Therefore we spent a lot of time to come up with a very competitive bid and a very innovative structure, which would fit in well with the landscape at Ta' Qali," MFCC chairman Adrian Bajada said.
He declined to comment any further.
Several copies of the tender were collected but sources said that these were probably picked up by contractors interested in the civil works.
The tender was put together by the Projects Development and Coordination Unit, a new unit set up within the Ministry for Urban Development and Roads.
The tender for the convention centre covers design and build with a 65-year lease, although this is negotiable.
The site must form one complex including an exhibition and trade fair site, a convention and expo centre, indoor and outdoor options, childcare facilities, all amenities and landscaping. However, no temporary or permanent residential accommodation can be included.
There are a number of design restrictions. For example, only 32 per cent of the 82,800- square-metre site can be built up and the height cannot exceed 10 metres (three storeys). This means that the new site will be more than four and a half times the current area available at the grounds of the Trade Fair in Naxxar.
The area includes that currently used by the Malta Football Association for parking and the successful bidder will have to build a two-storey car park and pass one storey on to the MFA for its use.
Otherwise, all the land is government-owned and the winner will get vacant possession, all tenancy leases having been terminated in 2005.
The winner will also need to guarantee that the centre can be used as the election counting hall.
There is also a tight deadline for completin of the works: Just 36 months of the emphyteutical contract.
Malta Fairs and Convention Centre Ltd, a merger between Fairs and Exhibitions Ltd and Sign-It, currently operates the tensioned fabric structure at Ta' Qali.
The tent at Ta' Qali has so far been been used for international conferences and concerts. The first fair being held there will be the Qualitex fair, being organised by the Casapinta Design Group, between May 17 and 20.
The Malta Trade Fairs Corporation lease on the trade fair grounds in Naxxar expires this year.
"We never ruled out that there might be other bidders. Therefore we spent a lot of time to come up with a very competitive bid and a very innovative structure, which would fit in well with the landscape at Ta' Qali," MFCC chairman Adrian Bajada said.
He declined to comment any further.
Several copies of the tender were collected but sources said that these were probably picked up by contractors interested in the civil works.
The tender was put together by the Projects Development and Coordination Unit, a new unit set up within the Ministry for Urban Development and Roads.
The tender for the convention centre covers design and build with a 65-year lease, although this is negotiable.
The site must form one complex including an exhibition and trade fair site, a convention and expo centre, indoor and outdoor options, childcare facilities, all amenities and landscaping. However, no temporary or permanent residential accommodation can be included.
There are a number of design restrictions. For example, only 32 per cent of the 82,800- square-metre site can be built up and the height cannot exceed 10 metres (three storeys). This means that the new site will be more than four and a half times the current area available at the grounds of the Trade Fair in Naxxar.
The area includes that currently used by the Malta Football Association for parking and the successful bidder will have to build a two-storey car park and pass one storey on to the MFA for its use.
Otherwise, all the land is government-owned and the winner will get vacant possession, all tenancy leases having been terminated in 2005.
The winner will also need to guarantee that the centre can be used as the election counting hall.
There is also a tight deadline for completin of the works: Just 36 months of the emphyteutical contract.
Malta Fairs and Convention Centre Ltd, a merger between Fairs and Exhibitions Ltd and Sign-It, currently operates the tensioned fabric structure at Ta' Qali.
The tent at Ta' Qali has so far been been used for international conferences and concerts. The first fair being held there will be the Qualitex fair, being organised by the Casapinta Design Group, between May 17 and 20.
The Malta Trade Fairs Corporation lease on the trade fair grounds in Naxxar expires this year.