9 November 2006
Durban's International Convention Centre is undergoing a R460-million transformation. The addition of the ICC Durban Arena will see the complex double in size to over a kilometre in length by March 2007, making it South Africa's biggest conference and exhibition centre.
The ICC, developed as a catalyst for economic development, has been one of the eThekwini municipality's most successful ventures, generating over R5.4-billion for the KwaZulu-Natal to date.
The ICC Durban Arena is likewise planned to be a revenue-generator for the province. The ICC is currently turning away approximately R1-million worth of business a month, demonstrating the need for the new venue.
World-class indoor stadium
On offer at the Arena will be additional conference and exhibition facilities as well as a world-class indoor stadium designed to put Durban back on the map for international concerts and sporting events.
Although primarily designed for concerts and sporting events, the Durban Arena will be multi-purpose, with facilities designed for maximum flexibility and capabilities for sub-division into a variety of configurations.
One of the aims is for the Arena's Africa Square to become a new meeting place - "Africa's Time Square" - one that captures the new energy and confidence of Africa.
The Arena will also integrate with the central business district and surrounding areas, including the adjacent Durban Exhibition Centre and the Hilton Hotel Durban - without compromising its unique ability to be transformed into an "island" site for high-security events.
SouthAfrica.info reporter
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