Ardent Leisure Group (AAD)

Shares / Stock Code

AAD

Stock Exchange / Sharemarket

ax

Ardent Leisure Group (AAD) is a specialist entertainment property owner and operator. The Trust is a stapled entity, with AAD deriving earnings from the operation of leisure businesses and rental income from the ownership of those assets. The Trust has recently announced internalisation of the Manager (Macquarie Leisure Management Limited) and has changed its name to Ardent Leisure Group (AAD). Investors can trade Ardent Leisure Group shares on the Australian Stock Exchange (ASX). Ardent was listed on the Australian stock market in 11 June, 1998.

The group was originally listed as the LeisureWide Property Trust in 1998. It was a special purpose vehicle to acquire assets formerly held by Dreamworld Productions Pty Ltd. In 1999, it acquired the d'Albora Marina portfolio, and in 2005/06, acquired AMF/Kingpin bowling. Previously known as Macquarie Leisure Trust (MLE), the group internalised its management in August 2009 and was renamed Ardent Leisure Group (AAD).

Ardent Leisure is a unique property trust in that its assets are solely in the leisure industry. In addition to focusing on organic growth for its theme parks and marina assets, the Trust has expanded into bowling and gymnasium segments. Theme parks' customers are predominantly local and international tourists, with the majority of earnings coming domestically (around 80%). Customers of d'Albora Marinas include both berth tenants and a range of specialist retail tenants.

Ardent Leisure is one of Australia's leading theme park and attraction operators. Located in Queensland's Gold Coast, Ardent's portfolio consists of the Dreamworld theme park, WhiteWater World water park, and the QDeck observation deck on levels 77 & 78 of Surfers Paradise's iconic Q1 Tower.

Ardent Leisure is the largest owner and operator of ten-pin bowling centres in Australia, operating under the AMF & Kingpin brands. AMF Bowling is the clear market leader in the Australian ten-pin bowling industry, and has been providing entertainment, leisure and sporting venues for over 50 years. Kingpin bowling lounges redeliver the bowling experience in an upmarket hip format aimed at recapturing the social bowler.

The Group is in the early stages of coordinating a combined approach to sustainability across all of their businesses. This has been mandated by a sub-committee of the Board called the Safety, Sustainability & Environment Committee and has the full support of the Board of Directors of the Group. The Group has identified and adopted a range of target areas that are broadly in-line with the GRI G3 Guidelines.

The G3 Guidelines form part of one of the mostly widely used frameworks for sustainability reporting. The Group has adapted these guidelines to focus on key areas that are applicable for their businesses. These broad areas include OH&S, Environment, Quality, Community Relations, Civil Rights, Corporate Governance and People Practices. The Group’s main efforts are aimed at achieving reductions in the fields of energy, water and waste.