Hamilton’s new Claudelands events centre is becoming a reality.Construction of the 5000-capacity multipurpose indoor arena has begun.
The $68.4 million project was approved by Hamilton City Council as part of its 2009-2019 Long Term Council Community Plan (LTCCP) deliberations in June.
Designed on the basis of a ‘unique one-site, multi-zoned facility with strong connectivity and close proximity to Hamilton's central business district’, the project encompasses a 5000-capacity multipurpose indoor Claudelands Arena/auditorium, conference facilities for up to 1500 delegates and upgraded exhibition areas, as well as multiple indoor and outdoor exhibition spaces, a multi-use grassed oval and unique function space, The Claudelands Grandstand
Physical work on the arena portion of the project began in early July following a blessing onsite, while construction of the conference and event facilities is due to commence from November. The project is scheduled to be complete in early 2011.
The development will also be strongly complemented by the CityHeart project, which will include the establishment of a pedestrian link between Claudelands and the central city to increase connectivity between accommodation, central city businesses and the venue.
Hamilton City Council Event Facilities Manager Mark Christie said that once complete, Claudelands will cement itself as a crucial piece of the city's event infrastructure and will enable a variety of mid-sized live performance concerts, international sporting fixtures, major conferences and exhibitions, along with an enhancement of the existing exhibition and show business.
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