Sun’s jewel gets a polish
Country’s top tier celebrates relaunch of group’s crown after R1bn restoration
MINISTERS, business people and r e p r e s e n t a t ive s from the media joined a host of entertainers including fire throwers, stilt walkers, dancers and a scattering of Miss South Africas, past and possibly future, at Sun City this week to celebrate the resort’s relaunch after a R1 billion makeover.
The jewel in Sun International’s crown, which opened (as a much smaller version of itself) in the then-nominally independent Bantustan of Bophuthatswana, in December 1979, has shocked, awed and delighted a steady stream of international and local guests as it’s hosted, fed, pampered and amused them.
The oasis in the desert in the North West had grown a little shabby since the early years, when it was a place where young and old stole off to indulge in all sorts of naughtiness, including watching topless showgirls and porn movies, and trying their luck at gambling.
All of this “scandalous” behaviour was not allowed in the apartheid-era South Africa, which was morally corrupt in much more harmful ways.
The overhaul goes beyond giving the “pleasure palace” a facelift.
Wednesday night’s launch introduced guests to the “new Sun City”, which hopes to widen its appeal further with a lot of effort directed at expanding its share of the growing conventions business as well as attracting families and the Millennial generation.
The 5-year, R1bn refurbishment looks to position Sun City more firmly as a business destination with dramatically upgraded and improved conference facilities.
High-tech, state-of-the-art facilities include the Sun Parks centre, perhaps best described as Meccano or Lego-style buildyour-own-event venue space.
Sun City is upping its conference game with this facility, which can be built into any style of venue in hours. Similar parks are being built at Sun International properties across South Africa.
Rob Collins, Sun International’s chief operating officer, said the variety and flexibility of the spaces meant there are few limits, whether it be a folk music festival that’s planned, a R1m golf tournament, extreme sports events or wild game auctions, to mention but a few.
It’s not child’s play, but Collins also chose a playful metaphor, using a teddy bear, when explaining the concept. To give an example of the modern idea of simple but detailed customisation, which underpins the Sun Parks concept, Collins said: “When you wanted a teddy bear you used to buy one; now you build one.”
Many of the other facilities included in the new upgrade are designed to appeal to the whole family, including new rides in the Valley of Waves, action-packed water sports at Waterworld, mini-golf, go-karts and a Lego room, a climbing room and an X-Box room.
Teenagers and other adrenalin junkies will likely enjoy Adrenalin Extreme, the new adventure hub.
The entertainment centre, which was built at a cost of R30m and inaugurated by Frank Sinatra in July 1981, has also been given an overhaul and now boasts a variety of family experiences, including a South African Hall of Fame honouring the country’s outstanding sports people and performing artists.
The museum-like exhibition is complemented by interactive exhibits with virtual-reality spaces allowing visitors to race against South Africa’s great runners or improve their golf swing.
The original hotel has been rebranded Soho Hotel and repositioned as the resort’s “always on” party zone. It includes an exclusive new dance venue, Encore, where the globally popular South African DJ Black Coffee helped to light up the dance floor on Wednesday night.
Rooms in the various hotels have been redecorated, and restaurants and bars have been spruced-up.
Michael Farr, Sun International’s general manager for brand and communications, said: “We have put this investment into making the resort even more attractive to families, gamblers, convention visitors and a host of new niche tourists, such as adrenalin-seekers, eco-tourists and millennials. – ANA