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The New Zealand Government has unveiled the design of the new Christchurch Convention Centre – also revealing that hotel group Accor has been selected as the preferred operator for the venue.

Speaking in Christchurch on Thursday (7th August), Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee described the planned $284 million convention centre as a big milestone for a project that will provide a major boost to the economic heart of the rebuilt Christchurch.

Minister Brownlee stated “Plenary Conventions New Zealand, a consortium of proven international infrastructure firm Plenary Group, and experienced local firms Ngai Tahu Property and Carter Group, has been selected as the preferred development consortium for this very large project.

“The next step for the consortium is to formally enter into a master planning and development phase, where the Crown will work with Plenary Conventions NZ on the detail of the precinct ahead of construction.”

With construction of the new convention centre expected to commence in the first quarter of next year and completed by 2017, Minister Brownlee added “I’m confident the end result of this work will be a vibrant, world-class Convention Centre Precinct that attracts conference and convention visitors from all over the world, and delivers significant economic benefits for the Canterbury region.

“Beyond the Convention Centre complex, the precinct is likely to combine hotel accommodation, hospitality, retail, and commercial and residential uses.”

Senior Vice President of Accor New Zealand, Pacific Islands and Japan, Garth Simmons, said that the Christchurch Convention Centre is a significant step in the rebirth of Christchurch and Accor is delighted to work with the Crown and the preferred consortium to master plan the precinct.

Simmons stated “Accor continues to play an important role in the revitalisation of Christchurch and we are proud to be selected as the preferred operator to manage the Christchurch Convention Centre for the Master-Planning and Development stage.

“We are not just local hotel operators, but have the strength of being a global hospitality company as well as experience in operating convention centres across the globe. We are confident that this world–class convention facility, supported by our strong network of hotels, will drive visitor growth to Christchurch, create jobs, support local businesses and deliver broader economic benefits to the Canterbury region and New Zealand.”

Local tourism leaders also welcomed the announcement of the investment to develop the new venue with Christchurch & Canterbury Tourism Chief Executive Tim Hunter stating “we’re thrilled to have today’s confirmation of the development and operation of Christchurch’s new Convention Centre, set to open in 2017.”

Christchurch & Canterbury Convention Bureau Manager Caroline Blanchfield says the announcement means the Bureau can now actively pursue large international conferences for Christchurch.

Blanchfield  stated “we already have significant interest in events wanting to book at least three years out. Now we have the certainty to go out and sell Christchurch on this scale.

Blanchfield says the new venue will tick all the boxes for conference organisers and fit what the convention industry is looking for in New Zealand, adding “it’s going to be versatile and connected to a vibrant city centre with major hotel development attached to it. It’s exactly what we are after and gives us the go-ahead to ramp up our marketing of the city.”

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