Construction work hastened on stage one of the $350 million expansion of the Adelaide, Australia Convention Center (ACC) beginning Feb. 7, following the arrival of the tower crane on-site. The Rev. Patrick Conlon, minister for transport and infrastructure, and Alec Gilbert, chief executive, ACC, marked the occasion by turning the first sod on the site.
“This project is about returning Adelaide to the world stage, ensuring a venue of world-class standard, “ said Conlon. “This expansion will ensure our ongoing competitiveness and boost its economic and tourism contribution to the state by more than $1.92 billion over the next 25 years.”
Upon completion, the expansion is expected to realize an additional $70 million of annual revenue from conferences and events held at the center. Stage one follows January’s soft opening of the new $3.86 million Panorama Suite and Regattas Bistro + Bar Complex.
The first stage expands the existing facility westwards over the railway lines to link with Morphett Street bridge and is due for completion in time to host the World Aquaculture Conference in May 2014.
The stage one extension includes an additional 4,300 square meters of multipurpose convention floor space, associated pre-function spaces, and multiple meeting spaces with future delegates and guests to enjoy expansive views across the Torrens Lake.
Stage two of the redevelopment, replacing the existing Plenary Building (home of the original center in 1987) with a multi-purpose, state-of-the-art facility with plenary capacity of up to 3,500 seats, is scheduled for completion in June 2017. Completion of stage two will both increase the Center’s total capacity and deliver maximum flexibility, realizing the most substantial financial and economic benefits of the redevelopment. The expansion will create more than 1200 jobs during construction and an additional 1700 jobs per annum through the flow on benefits to the South Australian economy.
Key features of the expanded Adelaide Convention Center will include an additional 4,300 square meters of multipurpose convention floor space and a new main loading dock.
The redevelopment is being undertaken by a multi-disciplinary consortium including Woods Bagot, Baulderstone, Aurecon, Bestec, Rider Levett Bucknall, and Thinc Projects.
Gilbert said the ACC had been an economic success story for South Australia since its establishment as Australia’s first purpose-built convention center in 1987, and that the state government’s investment recognized the vital importance of the ACC as a major catalyst for tourism and economic growth in South Australia.
“Expansion and redevelopment of the Center will re-establish Adelaide as one of the premier conference destinations and ensure its continued competitiveness in national and international markets,” said Gilbert. “Over the past two decades, the Center has generated over $1 billion in direct economic benefits to the state from delegate spend and associated tourism.”
