By REBECCA BILLS
LAND that has been in the Pace family for over 46 years is nearly ready to open as the new Seville Shopping Centre.
Work on the $20 million local community investment commenced in July last year.
It is anticipated to be a premier convenience shopping destination boasting retail space of over 4900 square metres.
Long-time Seville businessman and original owner of the site, Robert Pace, said he never envisioned anything like this happening with the land but it was very exciting to see the centre come to fruition.
“It’s been a really long time coming and finally we have got here – it’s much-needed in the community,” he said.
“There is not a lot of option out here and people have had to travel to Lilydale to shop.”
Mr Pace said the issue with residents travelling to Lilydale to shop meant they would use the other speciality shops there instead of the ones in Seville.
“Now that we have a shopping centre that is substantial like this, people that have been travelling into Lilydale to do their main shopping have that option to shop locally and service what this town has to offer,” he said.
“That’s a big win for the town.”
On completion, Seville Shopping Centre will consist of the latest design Woolworths supermarket and petrol station complemented by speciality retailers, a medical centre and car wash.
The centre will also boast street-level parking for 256 cars, including disabled and parent parking.
The centre’s management JLL said they were excited to open Seville Shopping Centre on Wednesday 2 July.
“The centre will provide greater variety as a convenient shopping destination for the community and represents Woolworths’ commitment to investing in the area,” they said.
Woolworths Limited Regional Development Officer Martin Lohan said a hairdresser, discount variety store, butcher and Woolworths Supermarket would be opening on the official date. Mr Pace said his shops located adjacent to Warburton Highway would house a new medical centre and Salvation Army Store that will open shortly after the main opening.
“We still have a number of tenancies open at this stage, we are hoping that once this (Woolworths) opens it will generate some more interest,” he said.
Grand opening celebrations for the centre will commence on Wednesday 2 July and continue through the rest of the week.
The celebrations will include appearances by children’s characters, giveaways and grand opening specials from Woolworths.
