New Zealand centre seals multimillion dollar deal

New Zealand’s biggest building business has snared the contract for a multimillion dollar convention centre project. Fletcher Construction is the main contractor for SkyCity’s International Convention Centre. Skycity chief executive Nigel Morrison said the company had agreed the terms of a binding, NZ$477m (US$324m) contract with Fletcher Construction Company Ltd to build and complete the design of the NZICC, the five-star, 300-room Hobson Street hotel, the retail laneway linking Nelson and Hobson streets, and 1,327 car parking spaces under the NZICC. Work is expected to begin by Christmas. “The construction projects will create at least 1,000 jobs during their 38-month build, plus approximately 1140 positions across conventions, hospitality, retail, gaming and food and beverage once both the NZICC and the new hotel are operational. Including all other associated costs, including land, fit-out, and contingencies, the projects represent an NZ$700m total investment by SkyCity in the Auckland economy.” “The NZICC will drive a significant increase in tourism expenditure in the city and around New Zealand through an estimated 33,000 more international convention delegates and the NZ$90m in expenditure they are expected to bring each year. “We will now be able to compete effectively to attract high-value business visitors from across the Asia-Pacific region, and all of New Zealand will benefit from the anticipated NZ$49m annual increase in GDP. “The NZICC will be a world-class facility that will put New Zealand on the international convention centre stage.”