Several sites within the Marsascala Family Park will be rented out to commercial entities as the government seeks funds to maintain the outdoor facility.

Environment Minister Leo Brincat yesterday said tenders will be issued in due course for various services including rock climbing, a restaurant and the running of the stables.

He said that public access to most of the park, including the play areas, open-air spaces and outdoor gym would remain free and unrestrained.

The commercialisation of certain sites within the park was approved by Cabinet last week but Mr Brincat could not give a deadline by when the tenders would be issued.

Discussions with the Land Department and the EU Affairs Ministry were still going on, he added.

“We have to involve the EU Affairs Ministry because EU funds were used on the park and we want to make sure that tenders do not fall foul of EU finance regulations,” he said.

Income from the rents received will be used to maintain the park, which was built over a disused landfill. The term of the lease for the various areas would vary depending on the location and the service.

Mr Brincat said the area next to the chapel and the amphitheatre would be rented out for one-off events. Toilet facilities would be maintained by the restaurant but could be used free of charge by the public.

In May the government had issued a call for expressions of interest to determine the level of interest from the private sector and non-governmental organisations to run certain services.

The call was also intended to provide ideas for use of some areas. The government received 39 submissions from 14 different entities.

However, Mr Brincat said the entities that submitted proposals or ideas would not get preferential treatment during the tendering process and anybody could participate. The minister noted that a separate request by the Marsascala football club to have a full-sized pitch would not be issued by tender. Mr Brincat said talks between the football club and other government entities were at an advanced stage to identify a suitable site for the sporting facilities.

The Family Park was opened shortly before the last general election.

Afterwards it was closed for several weeks when experts found that the nearby waste treatment plant was producing harmful emissions.

The park was reopened when it was confirmed that air quality was fine.