The sky’s the limit for centre’s construction

Peter Farago
WESTFIELD opened its doors to give outsiders their first glimpse of its ongoing $200 million Bay City redevelopment.
Shopping centre management took Geelong media on a guided tour of the construction site, revealing a maze of scaffold, steel and concrete that is slowly developing into the city’s retail centrepiece.
Closer inspection also revealed the controversial skybridge across Yarra Street might not be as big as many first thought.
While its spans across the road aren’t yet clad to reveal how much of the views will disappear, the width of the bridge, which will carry pedestrians inside and cars on the roof, is less than anticipated.
The centre’s management also showcased the centre’s proposed modern feel, with precinct shopping creating fashion, fresh food and everyday shopping malls within the two-storey complex.
When completed, the complex will include a new Big W and a Borders bookstore, a refitted Myer department store, an expanded food court, a cafe precinct set in the skybridge and create almost 800 retail jobs.