Several sites across eight areas within the Marsascala Family Park will be rented out to commercial entities, according to a tender notice in The Malta Government Gazette.

The government is inviting private entities to bid for the long-term lease of various areas.

Successful applicants will be able to partner with the government through a lease agreement.

The government would remain responsible for the day-to-day management of the park located next to the Sant’Antnin recycling plant. It will also be responsible for all maintenance and repairs while the partners will run a number of features on a commercial basis for which they will pay rent. Contracts will be awarded to the highest rent offers for each area.

The duration of the rent agreement varies in different areas. The stables, the rock climbing area, the animal farm, the pillbox site and amphitheatre and the area around the chapel will be rented out for three years.

The tea rooms and the agricentre will be rented out for five years while the restaurant will be leased for 10 years, according to the tender document.

The commercialisation of certain sites within the park was approved by Cabinet last year.

Public access to most of the park, including the play areas, open-air spaces and outdoor gym would remain free, Environment Minister Leo Brincat said in a statement yesterday.

Income from the rent paid will be used to maintain the park, which was built over a disused landfill.