BY JAMES WILKINSON IN AUCKLAND, Spice News

New Zealand’s proposed national convention centre in Auckland is one step closer to a reality with the country’s Prime Minister John Key saying a contract to build the expansive space will be announced in the not-too-distant future.

“We are getting much closer to announcing a contract for the national convention centre in Auckland,” Key told the recent New Zealand Hotel Industry Conference (NZHIC) in Auckland.

The idea of a national convention centre was first floated by Key at the 2009 NZHIC conference and won praise from hoteliers at the event at the Sky City Convention Centre.

Key also said the Christchurch Convention Centre could be expanded when it is re-built by the city council.

“The Christchurch Convention Centre was badly damaged as a result of the earthquake and that has left Christchurch with a couple of options,” he said.

“One is to re-build what they had and the other is to potentially expand it. We are a long way from making a decision on that, but you can see the logic for a bigger centre.”

Key said he was confident the hotels that would need to be demolished in Christchurch would be re-built.


So what do you think boys????

The future size and shape of Christchurch venue management company Vbase will become clearer in the next few weeks, with a decision on its ownership expected next month.

A decision on redundancies at the earthquake-hit Christchurch City Council subsidiary may be made by mid-June.

Councillors will consider plans to take partial control of the company at its annual plan meeting on June 9 and 10.

Vbase's inner-city venues were badly damaged in the February quake.

The Town Hall and the Convention Centre are expected to remain closed until at least the end of next year, while AMI Stadium will not reopen until February.

The company faced financial problems before the quake, with the council considering a $45 million lifeline to help service its debt.

Vbase chief executive Bryan Pearson said the company was reviewing several options for "substantial" downsizing.

"It's a relatively complex situation.

"Our revenue levels have been decimated ... but now the extent of the damage and amount of time [the facilities will be closed] is clear, it makes our future trading profile clearer."

Last week, council chief executive Tony Marryatt revealed plans to take over part of the company's operations.

He said his preferred option was for Vbase to be split, with management and operations to be run by the council and assets to stay with Vbase.

Pearson said Vbase would need to be open to all options, given its plight.

"I wouldn't rule anything in or rule anything out ... my preference is a structure that ensures the future viability of the company."

Engineers for the Council believe the Christchurch Convention Centre has suffered so much damage that it should be demolished. The outcome for the building has not yet been settled with insurers but discussions are progressing and an agreement expected soon.

Guys, I can't remember how to post Youtube posts, so you will just have to do with the link. I think Cllr Sue Wells speaks very, very well.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OnF2b31sUCU

The earthquake-hit Christchurch Convention Centre must be rebuilt as soon as possible to protect the city's lucrative conference industry, business and tourism leaders say.

The Christchurch City Council said this week that the centre would have to be demolished after it suffered significant damage in the February 22 quake.

Christchurch & Canterbury Tourism chief executive Tim Hunter said the city's conference industry generated between $80 million and $100m of revenue each year.

"People often bring their partners and they go on tours of the South Island, so their average spend is quite high," he said.

A rebuilt centre would play a vital role in the future success of the tourism industry.

"We know from talking to people right across the tourism sector that it is absolutely vital to reinstate a centre," he said.

Canterbury Employers' Chamber of Commerce chief executive Peter Townsend said there had been a "general expectation" that the centre could not be repaired.

The city needed to act quickly and build a new convention centre to ensure it did not lose its share of the valuable conference industry, he said.

"It's a very competitive market and the longer the delay, the harder it will be to get back into it."

The rebuild was a "huge opportunity" for the city, which had needed a bigger convention centre before the quakes hit.

"We've almost got a clean sheet of paper. We can build something bigger and better than what we had before," he said.

A rebuilt centre could form the core of a precinct for conventions and entertainment.

Central City Business Association manager Paul Lonsdale said a convention centre was "quite a big part" of the city's tourism industry.

"Some conferences plan up to a couple of years ahead, so if we can arrange a two-year rebuild, we would need to start marketing probably now."

A new centre should be closer to the heart of the city, while a "multifunctional" centre as an information centre or performance venue would also be helpful.

A new convention centre could really make a statement to business's around the world that christchurch is back and willing to receive foreign investment towards the cbd rebuild. It should be build along the same lines as the Art gallery, a landmark building.

^^ Couldn't agree more!!:)

I thought we hated 'our' profits going overseas.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/christchurch-earthquake/6688997/Big-Christchurch-convention-centre-plan

Anyone know how big the AKL convention centre is going to be? Don't know why the government can't kill two birds and just commit to building it in CHC. Not everything has to be in AKL after all! Hopefully this rebuild will prompt the hotel chains to rebuild too.

Big Christchurch convention centre plan

A convention centre costing $205.5 million could be built on a new site in Christchurch. Christchurch City Council is considering its options to replace the quake-damaged Convention Centre, now being demolished. Council staff are recommending building a 21,000-square-metre facility on a new site, rather than rebuilding a 7500sqm centre on the existing Kilmore St site as it was considered too small before the February 22, 2011, quake. A new convention centre would be a "crucial economic driver" for the city. The key objectives of the new facility were to host up to 2500 people at one time, be all-purpose, be able to expand with demand, provide confidence to the business and tourism sector that Christchurch was open for business, and attract national and international investment.

The proposed facility would have two exhibition halls, two theatres, a banquet hall and 16 breakout spaces as well as the potential for expansion. A 14,000sqm site would be needed. The new centre would allow multiple events to be held simultaneously and would be a "strong rebuild signal", the council says. It would cost $205.5m, with $30.6m covered by insurance, and would take about 3 1/2 years to build. Other options the council is considering include building a 19,000sqm facility on the existing location or building a 26,000sqm facility on a new site.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/christchurch-earthquake/6688997/Big-Christchurch-convention-centre-plan

Anyone know how big the AKL convention centre is going to be? Don't know why the government can't kill two birds and just commit to building it in CHC. Not everything has to be in AKL after all! Hopefully this rebuild will prompt the hotel chains to rebuild too.
I heard Hotel Grand Chancellor are looking to build a new hotel but I can't confirm it.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/christchurch-earthquake/6688997/Big-Christchurch-convention-centre-plan

Anyone know how big the AKL convention centre is going to be? Don't know why the government can't kill two birds and just commit to building it in CHC. Not everything has to be in AKL after all! Hopefully this rebuild will prompt the hotel chains to rebuild too.

Yeah I agree...
National Museum (Te Papa) = Wellington
National Art Gallery = Wellington
National War Memorial = Wellington
National Convention Centre = Auckland
National Stadium/Eden Park = Auckland

Sure, it's usually logical for most "National" venues to be located in your largest city or city of Govt...

But they don't always have to... It would be nice if the South Island did receive some of the special government funding to make Christchurch more of a centre of significance to them.

But Auckland has the only airport with real international connections. This I feel makes it the only realistic choice for the National Convention Centre.

But Auckland has the only airport with real international connections. This I feel makes it the only realistic choice for the National Convention Centre.

Yes agreed - unfortunately New Zealand geographically is just too far and Auckland being closer to most world cities, and larger population base will see that it remains the preferred choice for such facilities.

Bids sought for 'iconic' centre (http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/rebuilding-christchurch/7797698/Bids-sought-for-iconic-centre)

Christchurch's next convention centre must be an "iconic" facility that can be opened by early 2017, potential developers have been told. The Christchurch Central Development Unit and the Christchurch City Council have called for tenders from groups that want to be part of the convention centre precinct. The precinct will include the centre, connected retail and commercial operations and a five-star hotel, and must be open by March 2017. Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee said officials had "opened up a blank canvas" for individual companies or consortiums to build the precinct. He said the convention centre would need to be able to run three concurrent events and "comfortably" hold 2000 people. Design proposals would also need to make use of the precinct's connections to Cathedral Square, Victoria Square and the Avon River park, he said. "In keeping with the exciting new city we are creating around it, it needs to be an iconic facility that makes an impressive aesthetic statement." Brownlee said the convention centre would be a catalyst for development in the city centre and would boost the Canterbury economy. "The convention centre will need to be supported by other hotels, eateries and shops, so this step will trigger progress for other businesses too." Brownlee said companies had until November 9 to submit their proposals. Short-listed groups would be invited to discuss their proposals further, with a decision made by February next year

http://static.stuff.co.nz/1349827300/564/7797564.jpg

Christchurch's next convention centre must be an "iconic" facility that can be opened by early 2017, potential developers have been told.

The Christchurch Central Development Unit and the Christchurch City Council have called for tenders from groups that want to be part of the convention centre precinct.

The precinct will include the centre, connected retail and commercial operations and a five-star hotel, and must be open by March 2017.

Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee said officials had "opened up a blank canvas" for individual companies or consortiums to build the precinct.

He said the convention centre would need to be able to run three concurrent events and "comfortably" hold 2000 people.

Design proposals would also need to make use of the precinct's connections to Cathedral Square, Victoria Square and the Avon River park, he said.

"In keeping with the exciting new city we are creating around it, it needs to be an iconic facility that makes an impressive aesthetic statement."

Brownlee said the convention centre would be a catalyst for development in the city centre and would boost the Canterbury economy.

"The convention centre will need to be supported by other hotels, eateries and shops, so this step will trigger progress for other businesses too."

Brownlee said companies had until November 9 to submit their proposals.

Short-listed groups would be invited to discuss their proposals further, with a decision made by February next year.

From that render there will be no Forsyth Barr house in the new Christchurch also both the Rutherford and Landwood house are gone. The 5 star hotel on the convention site looks only 5 floors high so pretty disapointing heightwise.
They sould have a public poll: Does the population of the city only want a low rise CBD? Or are happy to have a decent skyline like Aucklands?

Christchurch Convention Centre Precinct Update

The Christchurch Central Development Unit and Christchurch City Council have received 23 Expressions of Interest (EOIs) from parties seeking to play a part in the city’s new Convention Centre Precinct. EOIs were sought from parties outlining proposed design, build, financing, maintenance and operation of the precinct, which is one of the first anchor projects in the Christchurch Central Recovery Plan to be taken to market. The opportunity to submit an EOI closed last Friday. A technical review panel is currently reviewing the EOIs and submitters will be advised if they have made the short list in the week of November 26. The intention is for the Convention Centre Precinct facilities to be open for business by March 2017.

From that render there will be no Forsyth Barr house in the new Christchurch also both the Rutherford and Landwood house are gone. The 5 star hotel on the convention site looks only 5 floors high so pretty disapointing heightwise.
They sould have a public poll: Does the population of the city only want a low rise CBD? Or are happy to have a decent skyline like Aucklands? I'd love a high rise city, but sadly that die has been cast. We'll just have to ooh and aah at the big buildings when we visit Auckland/Wellington like every other small town yokel.

From that render there will be no Forsyth Barr house in the new Christchurch also both the Rutherford and Landwood house are gone. The 5 star hotel on the convention site looks only 5 floors high so pretty disapointing heightwise.
They sould have a public poll: Does the population of the city only want a low rise CBD? Or are happy to have a decent skyline like Aucklands?

That isnt meant to be an actual model, but more a broad concept. At this stage, Forsyth Barr tower is staying. Langwood House is going cos its on a lean.

Adviser Convention Centre Precinct business case appointed (http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK1211/S00868/adviser-convention-centre-precinct-business-case-appointed.htm)

An adviser has been appointed to develop a detailed business case for Christchurch’s new Convention Centre Precinct. The Christchurch Central Development Unit (CCDU) and Christchurch City Council received eight responses to a Request for Proposal (RFP) for the position. PricewaterhouseCoopers has been selected from the submitters by an evaluation panel, and began its work on developing the detailed business case this week. Meanwhile, the CCDU has also put out RFPs for the positions of financial adviser and business case adviser, to provide advice on projects it is involved with. These RFPs close on Tuesday, 11 December and the intention is to make appointments before Christmas.

Five on Chch convention centre short list (http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/rebuilding-christchurch/8101696/Five-on-Chch-convention-centre-short-list)

One of New Zealand's large construction companies and its new Australian rebuild partner are among five consortiums short-listed to construct the Convention Centre. Naylor Love announced yesterday it had formed an alliance with Hutchinson Builders and was aiming for the precinct redevelopment projects run by Christchurch Central Development Unit, a division of the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority. Naylor Love director Scott Watson also confirmed the duo were leading a consortium short-listed by CCDU for the multimillion-dollar Convention Centre project. "The alliance is designed to target major city plan precinct projects, with business as usual for all other Naylor Love clients," Watson said. CCDU is not revealing who the five are. It received 22 expressions of interest in the Convention Centre Precinct. It has whittled those down to a short list of five submitters, comprising a mixture of domestic and international parties. The next phase is for CCDU to complete a detailed business case for the Convention Centre Precinct. CCDU aims to see the first sod of the Convention Centre project turned at the end of next year and completion about March 2017. Watson said Hutchinson could supply manpower as well as contract other resources from Australia if the consortium was successful in bidding for the precinct projects. "It gives us an extended supply chain ... MORE (http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/rebuilding-christchurch/8101696/Five-on-Chch-convention-centre-short-list)

Five vie for 'iconic' city project (http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/business/the-rebuild/8156000/Five-vie-for-iconic-city-project)

South Island tribe Ngai Tahu and the Australian firm that developed the Melbourne Convention Centre are among five who have made the shortlist for the iconic Christchurch Convention Centre project. Last month Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority (Cera) declined to reveal who the five shortlisted groups were after receiving 22 expressions of interest. It is drawing up a detailed business case for the anchor rebuilding project. The size of the convention centre project is likely to be about $300 million and up to $500m. Industry sources say Plenary Group, the Australian firm that developed the Melbourne Convention Centre, is one of the five. Plenary would not comment. The five are expecting to present before a Cera selection panel, probably next month. When Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee called for expressions of interest in September he said the Government wanted proposals for the convention centre, associated parking, connected retail and commercial operations and a five-star hotel. The convention centre had to be an "iconic facility" that made an aesthetic statement and could comfortably host 2000 delegates. The parties say a consortium needs at least a developer and an investor or several investors and a building company with the track record to undertake such a large project. The document Cera put out for expressions of interest is said to be quite vague. It puts up several options. One is a group to just design and build the convention centre precinct and another option is more complex, a group to design, build, maintain, operate and finance a convention centre ... MORE (http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/business/the-rebuild/8156000/Five-vie-for-iconic-city-project)