MEDIA RELEASE
14 September 2010

Christchurch City Venues Stand Up

Christchurch’s major venues are all fully operational and open for businesses just a week since the 4 September earthquake.

Vbase owns and operates on behalf of the Christchurch City Council, AMI Stadium, CBS Canterbury Arena, the Christchurch Convention Centre and the Christchurch Town Hall for Performing Arts.

The venues are structurally sound and are back in full operation and while there have been some postponements and cancellations the event calendar is still full.

Chief Executive Bryan Pearson says it was very satisfying for the whole Vbase team to see more than 300 people, many from outside the region and from overseas, arrive at the Convention Centre at the weekend for a beautiful wedding celebration.

“This wedding along with other meetings and events that have taken place across the four venues since the earthquake are a positive sign of the recovery phase beginning. In true Cantabrian spirit, the city and its people have responded incredibly well and there is a feeling we are starting to get back on our feet.”

Bryan Pearson says Vbase has a wonderful opportunity, given the nature of its business, to play its part in lifting the spirits of the people of Christchurch.

“We have big events on the horizon that will provide this much needed morale boost to the city, including two sold out Metallica shows, the Craft and Quilt fair, and Women’s lifestyle Expo at CBS Canterbury Arena, the Canterbury versus Wellington ITM Cup match at AMI Stadium and the NZ Water Conference at the Convention Centre.”

Vbase is also endorsing and supporting the call from Mayor Bob Parker to the industry encouraging them to bring events, meetings and concerts to the city to help with the recovery. [See attached letter from Mayor Parker]

Vbase has, like many businesses, put in place comprehensive support programmes for staff affected by the earthquake.

“It is a balance between ensuring everyone is supported and starting the process of recovery and rebuilding. Vbase has a leadership role to play and will do everything it can to support the city and region over the coming months as it recovers and rebuilds to be better than before.”

ENDS

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