Salvation Army Sells Geelong Conference Centre to Melbourne-Based Hotel Group

The Geelong Conference Centre in Eastern Park, a resort-style facility developed by The Salvation Army, has been sold to an Australian hotel group in a private deal after the charity listed the 4,500-square-metre complex. The property sits in prime Geelong parkland.

Colliers International Geelong agent Andrew Lewis said the Melbourne-based hotel group intends to continue operating the conference centre, which occupies a 1.6-hectare special use zone next to the East Geelong Golf Club. Lewis said the two highest bidders were Melbourne-based parties, though some Geelong groups also showed interest. “Some of the people wanted school camps, aged care, and redevelopment as in a unit development, although I don’t know who well that would have gone,” he said.

The complex was designed by architects McGlashan Everist and opened in 1981 as the Institute of Educational Administration, described as an educational bush retreat in an urban setting. The Salvos purchased the property for $2.35 million in 1994 and began a $2 million upgrade in 2008. The centre won the Tourism Accommodation Award at the 2010 Geelong Advertiser Business Excellence Awards. That same year, it served as the home base for the Australian cycling team during the UCI Road Cycling World Championships.

Salvation Army Victoria commander Lieutenant Colonel Bruce Stevens previously told the Advertiser that the sale reflects a decision by the charity to focus all available resources on its mission to serve people living in hardship. “The Geelong Conference Centre has hosted conferences of Salvos, community and business groups. It has been a place of learning, collaboration and development for many,” he said. Directing resources toward those in need is a practical expression of care for the neighbour (Isaiah 58:7).

The resort-style centre has seven conference rooms of various sizes, 46 accommodation suites, an open dining area, a full commercial kitchen and extensive gardens, including an in-ground swimming pool and spa.