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The completion date for the new Christchurch Convention Centre is less than a year away with construction on the site, opposite the Town Hall on Kilmore Street, now very obvious to passers-by. Together with the Sports, Entertainment and Exhibition Centre to be constructed alongside Addington Raceway, the new facilities are heralding an exciting direction for the city, promising benefits which up until now have been beyond the city's reach, says Chairman of Projects, Councillor Ron Wright. The result of Christchurch's investment and commitment will be New Zealand's first dedicated convention centre. |
This places Christchurch in the lead in New Zealand and Australia in terms of providing international standards of service. We will have facilities for a range of conventions from small conferences to large international conventions, attracting up to 5000 delegates, says Cr Wright.
The Convention Centre will incorporate state-of-the-art equipment and well-designed conference rooms. The centre will have the capability to change the size of its conference space to cater for all types of events. Christchurch will benefit from increased numbers of visitors. In addition, having the purpose built Convention Centre will free up the Town Hall for more performances and shows which may be touring the country, and events by local performers.
Corporate interest in sponsoring the convention hall, meeting rooms and VIP rooms is high. The success of the new Convention Centre is looking good as we are already receiving advance bookings, Cr Wright says. We have also had enquiries for an international conference for 5,000 people. This, if it happens, would generate $24 million for the city.
The Sports, Entertainment and Exhibition Centre will be completed about mid-1998. It has created new opportunities for major international attractions to come to Christchurch. The centre will be a multi-purpose indoor venue providing for sports events, such as the World Netball Championships in 1999; exhibitions and banquets; family events like the Moscow circus; rock and popular concerts, and community events.
Overseas specialists, expert in designing this type of centre, together with local architects, project managers and City Council staff members, will create a venue incorporating the latest in design and technology.
On one night, 6500 patrons will be able to watch big league basketball on centre court and the next, 3000 could attend a grand banquet in the same room! It is this kind of flexibility and scale which enables the venue to be economically viable and allow for many different events to take place within a short space of time.
Local job opportunities will increase because of the capital investment the city is making in these large community facilities - the first in 22 years, since Queen Elizabeth II Park and the Christchurch Town Hall were constructed.
Canterbury and the whole of the South Island will also benefit from the influx of visitors and the increase in number, quality and scale of entertainment for everyone.