Convention centre gets finishing touches

After more than four years of construction, Christchurch’s new convention centre, Te Pae, will have its official opening on December 17.

But Covid restrictions could mean the public will have to wait a little longer for a peek inside.

Workers will spend the next few weeks putting finishing touches to the $475 million riverside facility, including completing landscaping, commissioning technical systems, and installing artworks.

John Bridgman, the chief executive of O¯ ta¯karo, the Crown company in charge of the project, said they were looking forward to the ceremonial opening.

Operator ASM Global would then move into the building to ‘‘get familiar with the operating systems’’, he said.

Next month Te Pae will host its first functions – some ‘‘test events’’, including Christmas parties.

A public open day would be held early next year, on a date yet to be announced. Planning for the open day would depend on Covid settings, Bridgman said.

‘‘Te Pae is a stunning facility and welcoming the people of Christchurch in for a look around will be a nice way to start 2022.’’

Te Pae has been built as a replacement for the old Kilmore St convention centre, which was wrecked by the earthquakes.

Originally announced as a rebuild project that could start going up as early as 2015, it faced a series of delays and work began in 2017. Covid has further stalled progress.

The cost has included $240m for construction, $74m for land and

$34m for professional services. A business case written before construction began estimated the complex could bring the city up to

$60m a year in economic benefits. Te Pae will include a 1400-seat auditorium with an 18-metre by 5m screen, 2800 square metres of exhibition space, banquet seating for

1800 diners, and 24 meeting rooms with capacity for up to 1500 people. It will be able to host multiple events and functions at the same time.