12 July 2000
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
HUGE THREE DAY PARTY FOR FORCE ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE’S FIRST BIRTHDAY
The Force Entertainment Centre is inviting all Aucklanders to help celebrate its first birthday at a huge three- day
birthday weekend from Friday July 21 to Sunday July 23.
With free give-aways, a performance by True Bliss and other bands, magicians, celebrity impersonators, clowns and other
entertainers, there will be something for everyone at the weekend extravaganza which is sponsored by Allens Fantails.
Another highlight is the exciting Treasure Hunt competition with great prizes including a trip for four to Queenstown.
In just one year the Force Entertainment Centre has made a real impact on Auckland and has been credited with helping to
bring people back into the central city. It has become New Zealand’s premiere entertainment destination.
“There is nothing like your first birthday and we want to celebrate it with a huge blast. Since we opened more than 3.5
million people have visited the Force Entertainment Centre and we would like to say thank you by inviting them to come
back for our birthday,” Mark Francis of Force Corporation said.
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The Force Entertainment Centre is known as the place where fun, food and film collide so people joining the birthday
celebrations can expect all that and more.
“Who knows, they may even spot a celebrity who is also enjoying the party as we’ve invited special guests who are well
known not only in New Zealand but also internationally,” said Mark Francis.
Of course no party is complete without birthday cake and the first 5000 people at the Force Entertainment Centre will
get their own individual cake. There is even something for those who think that they know all about the Force
Entertainment Centre with special ‘behind the scenes’ tours being held throughout the three-day weekend.
Not only is the three-day weekend jam-packed with events but the celebrations will actually begin a day earlier on
Thursday July 20 when, in true Hollywood style, the Force Entertainment Centre will host the New Zealand premiere of the
international blockbuster ‘Gladiator’.
Directed by Ridley Scott and starring Kiwi Russell Crowe, this film has broken box office records around the world.
Proceeds from the premiere of ‘Gladiator’ will help New Zealand children through the Variety Club charity.
The Force Entertainment Centre is Auckland’s largest entertainment venue with over 16 restaurants and cafes, 12 Village
Force Hoyts cinemas, an Imax giant screen, Planet Hollywood theme restaurant and merchandise store, Stages Time Out
games and leisure centre, Borders book, music and video store, fine dining restaurant Theatro and numerous clubs and
bars including The Playhouse, Sputnik Pool Bar & Casino and the Cirquebar.
It was developed by the Force Corporation with initial planning starting over four years ago and is valued at over $75
million dollars.
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FORCE ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE FACTS & FIGURES
An average of 10,000 people visit the Force Entertainment Centre each weekend. It is estimated that more than 3.5
million New Zealanders have visited the centre in its first year.
The eight level venue is valued at over $75 million and is actually three separate buildings linked by an impressive
atrium.
The Force Entertainment Centre has 12 Village Force Hoyts cinemas. In the first year of operation they have screened
11 New Zealand premieres and over 8500 hours of movie magic.
And while the movies have been playing enough popcorn to cover the Southern Alps has been consumed.
More than 400,000 people enjoyed an IMAX film on the theatre’s giant screen.
Planet Hollywood has served meals for over 250,000 hungry Kiwis.
Borders Books have sold enough books to cater for the entire population of New Zealand.
15,000 hours of games have been played in Timeout.
The Playhouse pub has sold 12,000 litres of beer.
100,000 games of pool have been played at Sputnik since it landed at the Force Entertainment Centre, and 150 visitors
have hit the jackpot in the Sputnik Casino.
More than 40,000 people have surfed the net and collected email at Cybermax.
More than one million light bulbs have been installed to light up the Force Entertainment Centre.
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