23 November 2011

Year of solid progress for Events Centre

The first annual report from the Northland Events Centre Trust shows a year of solid progress and predicts a good second year, according to the Chairman of Whangarei District Council's Finance and Support Committee, Councillor Warwick Syers.

"Up to 1 July, before the Rugby World Cup, the venue attracted 448 bookings, hosted 86,853 visitors, held 17 sports events, 141 meetings, 56 training forums, 34 functions, four weddings, eight ceremonies, two expos and numerous other activities including boot camps, fireworks festivals and musical events.

"A line-up of top quality games including the NZ Maoris v NZ barbarians, Northland ITM Cup fixtures, super rugby Blues v Cheetahs, Vodafone Warriors v Burleigh Bears and Kiwiferns v England Rugby league, shows comprehensively that the centre already has a good reputation as a venue for national and international games.

"During the first year we also secured a tenant for half of the commercial space the building offers. The naming rights for the stadium (Toll Stadium), the main Level 2 lounge (Refining NZ Lounge) and East Lounge (ARC Security Lounge) were secured along with three all-year suite licenses and numerous signage agreements.

"Capital grants from WDC ($427,183) and NRC ($310,000) helped with fitting out the leased space, commercial kitchen, lounges, fencing, ticket booths, furnishings, IT equipment, event centre lounge, ceilings, service alleys, work that was needed to ensure the building operates efficiently as an administration centre, stadium, events centre and commercial building.

"Early on we realised there were organisational efficiencies and economies to be made by combining the Events Centre management and Council's Forum North Venue and Events management under one structure, and that has proven effective. The team is now managing Forum North, the Events Centre, events like the Christmas Festival and the Endless Summer Festival. It is event managing the 2011-12 National Bank international summer of cricket Blacks Caps test match against Zimbabwe at Cobham Oval on Waitangi Day next year," Councillor Syers said.

"From a financial perspective the outlook is positive too. Early estimates of operating losses in the first two years were as high as $500,000, but in reality WDC has covered an operating loss of only $171,612 this year, with projections for a second-year operating loss of only $31,000. These figures are far lower than initially predicted so things have been going very well.

"The second year will also show the success of the RWC games, progress on the fit-out, expansion of services, 75 per cent lease of the commercial space and a strong list of high profile events and games."

ENDS

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