Foundation of new NZ convention centre cemented

The new Christchurch Convention Centre in New Zealand is putting down roots, with the first 14 major concrete pours at the site completed on 3 November. Crown company Ōtākaro Limited chief executive Albert Brantley said a lot of ground work had already been done so builders CPB Contractors could “hit the ground running” after signing up in August. Christchurch’s new convention centre will require 19,000 cubic metres of concrete, 4,400 tonnes of structural steel and 43,000 facade panels. The walls of the centre are expected to start going up by the end of the month. The NZ$475m (US$327m) convention centre is scheduled to be finished in early 2020, with the first conferences held later that year. The new centre will be able to host up to 2,000 people and will be able to be split to host two 700-delegate events simultaneously. There will also be a 3,600sqm exhibition hall, and 1,600sqm of meeting rooms overlooking Victoria Square. A live webcam on the Ōtākaro website is streaming the construction work. Image: Ōtākaro