Jeremy Smith Appointed as Independent Chair of Port Hills

Jeremy Smith Appointed as Independent Chair of Port Hills Leisure Limited

Local businessman Jeremy Smith has been confirmed as the independent Chair of the company promoting a $25 million adventure park in Christchurch’s Port Hills.

A full-time director, Smith’s current roles include Chair of local electricity distribution company, Orion, and a Director of Christchurch based Holcim New Zealand Limited. He is a former CEO and Managing Director of Holcim New Zealand Limited.

“The Board is delighted to appoint a Chairperson of such high caliber and someone with both a clear passion for the project and a desire to contribute to the rebuild of Christchurch " said Jay Fry, CEO of Port Hills Leisure Ltd.

“Jeremy has particular experience in providing governance oversight to the development and execution of large capital intensive projects, and aligning the interests of various stakeholders. This expertise will be invaluable as the project progress to capitalise on the opportunity for Christchurch to become a global hub for mountain biking,,” he said.

Port Hills Leisure Limited is currently in the process of raising equity of $14.25 million to complete the project financing to build the Christchurch Adventure Park that will be anchored by the biggest lift-accessed downhill mountain bike park in the Southern Hemisphere.

“The Christchurch Adventure Park is a tremendous opportunity to build on Christchurch’s enviable reputation as a go-to destination for outdoor adventure,” said Smith.

“The unique accessibility and outstanding topography of the Cashmere Forest will be a major drawcard for large numbers of serious and casual mountain bikers.

“An exciting range of ancillary attractions for the entire family will support the completed project. This unique combination will make the Christchurch Adventure Park a highly attractive new tourist destination and community sports facility,” he said.
.
The Christchurch Adventure Park has contracted with Select Contracts to build, manage and operate the Park. Select Contracts is a well-established and proven leisure, adventure and recreation specialist, with a catalogue of international developments to its credit.

“The originators who are promoting the Christchurch Adventure Park bring world-class credentials in developing and operating projects of this nature,” said Smith

“The release of the Information Memorandum seeking to raise the remaining finance for the Adventure Park now means that local investors can own a slice of the project themselves,” he said.

Smith said that the immediate focus of the Board – which currently includes Jay Fry and Fiona Sutton, Chairman of Select Evolution NZ Ltd - was on finalising the funding of the project and then moving into the development phase as quickly as possible.

“We are aiming to have the Park operational for the summer of 2016/17,” he said.

ENDS

© Scoop Media