The Olympic Park Legacy Company wants the helter-skelter like structure designed by Anish Kapoor to become one of London’s top visitor attractions and is looking for an operator to run it prior to, during, and after the 2012 Games.
The ten year contract, estimated to be worth £10m a year, will involve financing the Orbit’s final fit-out as well as managing events, hospitality, catering, ticketing, marketing, the gift shop, reception and security.
There is also talk of the Orbit being "coupled" with another of the Olympic venues as part of the deal.
The chosen operator will have to work within the strict conditions of Locog during the Games when it is likely the Orbit will be part of a ticketing deal, where those who buy tickets to sporting events will gain access to the attraction.
Interested parties have three weeks to submit a before the deadline on 28 January. The Legacy Company will then select a maximum of three bidders for formal negotiations, with an operator appointed by June 2011.
"We are looking for a company with the relevant experience that will take the opportunity and run with it," Olympic Park Legacy Company executive director of operations and venues Malcolm Ross told Event.
"They’ve got to make it a memorable experience and create local and international synergies. They’ll have to have the resources and passion to play a larger role in the Olympic Park, working with other companies and venues. They’ll also have to have a passion for people and training, employing people from the local boroughs."
Some soft market testing conducted by the Legacy Company in spring 2010 showed a whole spectrum of organisations will be keen to apply, with Ross hinting at "hospitality companies, event organisers and visitor attractions used to dealing with large numbers of people" as suitable candidates.
The £22.3m construction is predicted to attract one million visitors a year and will feature two public spaces at the top, a viewing gallery and a restaurant, that will be available to hire out for events for up to 400 people.
The Legacy Company will launch a similar search to appoint operators for the Aquatics Centre, Multi-use Arena and the wider park site at the end of this month.
As Event has reported, it is already and the Press and Broadcast Centre.
To leave a comment and let us know your thoughts.