R395m expansion for ICC Durban
13 November 2003
The mayor of eThekwini municipality, Obed Mlaba on Wednesday announced a R395-milliom expansion to the city’s world renowned International Convention Centre.
Mlaba said the expansion will involve the construction of a new auditorium. To be called the ICC Durban Arena, the development is aimed at extending the economic and social impact of the centre on the local and national economy.
"The ICC Durban Arena meets the business needs of ICC Durban to maintain and improve its share of the international and local convention and exhibition market within a highly competitive industry. It enables eThekwini (greater Durban) to increase the range of events, conferences, exhibitions and festivals on offer to attract local investment, capitalise on induced tourism opportunities and to serve our citizens," Mlaba said.
He added that the facility will enable eThekwini to host major international entertainment and sporting events, while contributing
to the revitalisation of the inner city.
An independent Economic Impact Assessment has concluded that the construction of the Arena will have a positive impact on the local economy, create 23 000 sustainable jobs in its first 10 years of operation. The development costs will be fully recovered through a positive contribution to the country's GDP well within the first year of its operation, added the report.
The planned expansion will include extending the existing building in a southerly direction to accommodate a sports arena suitable for exhibition sports, national indoor sports competitions, exhibitions, entertainment events and conventions.
Other site developments will include the construction of a 200-room three-star hotel at an estimated cost of R115-million. The costs towards building the hotel will be sourced from the private sector.
ICC's chief executive officer, Alec Gilbert, commented: "On completion of Phase 2, the final phase of the expansion,
ICC Durban will be in a league of its own, being the only venue in the country able to accommodate events for over 10 000 people. The worldwide trend is for bigger conferences and this project will enable us to meet the requirements of the most valuable end of the international meetings industry."
Gilbert said the conference centre will seat 13 000 people and the Arena will have a 6 000-seat auditorium. He added that at the end of the expansion, ICC Durban will cover a total of 30 000 square metres, with the option of increasing capacities even further by using the adjacent Durban Exhibition Centre.
"We will continue to set ICC Durban apart from other convention centres by marketing it as 'the most African experience'. The expansion and the April 2004 opening of the uShaka Marine World will add major impetus to this campaign," said Gilbert.
Source: ICC Durban
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