Convention centre build ‘soon’

First it was 2017, then 2018, then 2019, and now 2020.

Christchurch’s new convention centre has a building contractor and a new completion date – three years later than the city was first promised.

The Government announced yesterday that CPB Contractors, owned by Australian giant CIMIC Group, will build the $240 million complex.

‘‘CPB has committed to finishing in the first quarter of 2020,’’ Greater Christchurch Regeneration Minister Nicky Wagner said. ‘‘The Government will be closely monitoring its progress.’’

Completion was previously planned for late 2019, after being pushed out several times from an original date of early 2017. Wagner said work would begin ‘‘soon’’.

The centre design went out for tender earlier this year with an estimated cost of $285m. The Crown is meeting the full cost of the project and has already spent about $85m on land and planning.

Labour Canterbury issues spokeswoman Megan Woods said it was vital the Government answer the ‘‘big unknowns’’ – who would own, run and pay for the convention centre. ‘‘We need to have some big-picture thinking about how this is going to work for the sort of future we want for Christchurch. We need certainty for businesses.’’

Neighbouring landowner Rob Farrell, co-owner of two Oxford Tce buildings, said while they were keen to see the convention centre finished, they understood the project’s size and complexity made delays inevitable. ‘‘If they can pull it off when they say, I tip my hat to them,’’ he said.

The complex will feature a 1400-delegate auditorium that can be divided in two, a banquet hall, 14 meeting rooms and an exhibition hall for up to 200 stalls.

CPB Contractors has already worked on projects across New Zealand including the Christchurch Hospital redevelopment and the Transmission Gully roading project in Wellington.

The news was welcomed. The manger of ChristchurchNZ’s convention bureau, Caroline Blanchfield, said they were already working with several parties interested in coming to the venue.

Conventions and Incentives New Zealand chief executive Sue Sullivan said that with major conferences planning three to eight years ahead, they could now ‘‘confidently go out and book Christchurch for 2020 and beyond’’.

Sullivan said there was ‘‘growing international demand for this style of premium facility’’ and the design was a compelling proposition. ‘‘We have seen strong interest in Christchurch at recent trade events in Auckland and Sydney.’’

Christchurch Airport chief executive Malcolm Johns said the convention centre would ‘‘allow us to again participate in and host a wide range of special interest groups from around the country and the world in our city’’.

Wagner said the complex would help bring back visitors, increase private sector investment, open up business networks and opportunities, and create jobs.

Before the old conference centre was damaged in the February 2011 earthquake, Christchurch had 24 per cent of New Zealand’s conference market.

A government survey last year revealed international conference visitors stayed an average of six nights, spending an estimated $334 per night, double the average spend of international visitors.