VILLE TO TARGET CONVENTIONS
THE Ville Resort- Casino will launch a new 1000- person conference facility in 2018 as part of its $ 40 million redevelopment of the property.
Ville CEO Michael Jones said the owners, Morris Group, saw a gap in the local market.
“We knew that if Townsville wanted to compete with other regional centres for major conferences and events the city needed an updated venue,’’ Mr Jones said.
The Pavilion, a state- of- the- art conference, wedding, and special events venue, is being developed on land on the seaward side of the hotel.
The hotel has started taking bookings for the facility for next year and onwards.
Mr Jones said it was an exciting time for Townsville, not only because of the major investment into the property offering new leisure and entertainment options for visitors and locals, but with the addition of the conferencing and special events venue.
“This new facility will mean businesses can start to look further afield to attract corporates and conferences to the city which will give Townsville a much- needed economic boost,’’ he said.
Hutchinson staff and clients were the first to experience the venue, holding their 105th anniversary celebrations in the shell of the facility last night.
Hutchinson Builders is lead contractor for the hotel redevelopment.
Hutchinson Builders chairman Scott Hutchinson said the team was proud of its involvement in the redevelopment and excited to test out the venue.
The resort’s rooms have been redeveloped and its lobby level has been undergoing significant works to reinvigorate the foyer, hotel reception, port cochere, casino entrance, casino sports bar and building exterior. The hotel is adding new restaurants, a poolside function space for 700 people, an infinity- edge pool with private cabanas and swim- up bar and an elevated deck connecting the pool to the lobby level.