Queenstown Convention Centre Update

QLDC will consider this week whether external funding to build the Queenstown Convention Centre should be locked in before the project goes any further, including planning for the related development at the Lakeview site above the CBD.

Last year the Council resolved to go ahead with the $58.1 million development on several conditions, including securing a significant amount of outside funding. The contribution from rates has been capped at $32.5 million with most of that coming from hotels and commercial property in the CBD. The rest is to come from external sources.

At Thursday’s meeting the Council will consider a report which provides an overview of the convention centre project, including the related development of the Lakeview site.

Mayor Vanessa van Uden said the Council was aiming to get a firm commitment of support from the Government and other funders as early as possible.

Otherwise, the Lakeview development could proceed as a standalone project without including a convention centre on the site. Only 3.6ha of the 10.7ha site is earmarked for development, including hot pools, housing and a market square. More than half of the land will stay as reserves.

The Council has sent a funding proposal to the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, seeking a Government contribution to build the convention centre.

QLDC is also seeking grants from the Central Lakes Trust, the Community Trust of Southland, the Lotteries Grants Board and the Tourism Growth Partnership.

Mayor van Uden said that the Lakeview Development could proceed without the convention centre as its anchor project, but with lower economic returns. Potential partners were also likely to find the development less attractive if they had to leave part of the site vacant in case a future council decided to reactivate the convention centre project.

For those reasons, staff are recommending that the Council hold off negotiating with potential developers until the external funding for the convention centre has been locked in.

ENDS

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