The government today announced that 14 companies submitted 16 expressions of interest in the commercialisation of the Marsascala family park.

Environment Minister Leo Brincat said that the ideas that have been put forward include having a restaurant, rock climbing facilities and the use of the amphitheatre for the staging of local productions.

He said that the idea of a child care centre is being studied.

A call for tenders will be issued soon, with the minister not giving a specific time-frame.

He emphasised however that most of the park will remain freely accessible to the general public.