Industry welcomes
centre’s expansion plans

Conference organisers and others in the industry have applauded plans for an $81.9 million expansion of the Christchurch Convention Centre.

In a submission to the Christchurch City Council, venue operator Vbase suggested that the expanded convention centre would be a multi-level building with the additional space being constructed immediately to the west of the existing building and integrated as one venue. It would approximately double the existing halls and breakout room space and provide an additional banqueting space for 2000 people.

Vbase made the formal submission to the 2009/19 Long Term Council Community Plan, suggesting both the convention centre expansion and the refurbishment and modernisation of the Christchurch Town Hall for Performing Arts.

The Town Hall work is intended to be staged over 18 months, commencing early 2010. The Convention Centre construction will take place over the years 2012 - 2014, all going to plan. Both facilities will remain open for business during redevelopment.

Late February, Vbase issued a press release saying it is ‘welcoming Christchurch City Council support for investment in two of the city’s major facilities that generate millions of dollars for our local economy.’ The submission will now go through a formal public consultation process.

Chief executive Bryan Pearson says there is a strong economic argument for investment in business tourism infrastructure.

‘In the 11 years since it opened, the convention centre is calculated to have generated $1.6 million of economic activity in our region and $800 million of economic value added. Each year visitors attending events at the convention centre spend in excess of $60 million during their stay.

‘Those visitors have been the catalyst for development of other tourism infrastructure in the city, however, while the business tourism market is forecast to grow, Christchurch’s ability to share in that growth is constrained by a lack of space within the centre.

‘We are turning business away and growth is constrained because we are operating at capacity for much of the year and are unable to meet demand from the business tourism sector. This impact is felt across the city as visitor spending flows throughout our community.’

Christchurch based professional conference organiser Tracey Thomas says the expansion will create a whole new opportunity.

Thomas, of Conference Innovators, says the development will put Christchurch on ‘another level’.

‘The big events only come around so often, but we have definitely had to turn some away.’

He says aside from allowing bigger events the development provides more flexibility for conferences requiring extra breakout and banqueting space or for more smaller meetings in Christchurch at one time.

Thomas also points to extra flat space at AMI Stadium and the refurbishments to the Town Hall as being positive for the industry.

‘The level of investment in infrastructure bodes well. It is a signal that Christchurch City Council recognises that conferences do generate money for the country and that they are a worthwhile part of business.’

Annette Pendergast of HOT Events says the planned extension is a positive development for New Zealand. ‘It’s needed because of the demand that is already there.’

Alan Trotter, chief executive of Conventions and Incentives New Zealand says the expansion will provide an interim solution to the problem of the lack of international convention facilities and provide a huge boost to the national offering.

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