NATASHA PRINCE
Staff Reporter
THE EXPANSION of the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) is set to create a “convention precinct” – doubling the centre’s size and connecting it to the Artscape theatre.
Yesterday the CTICC, the city and the provincial government joined forces to reveal the plan, which would add 10 000m2 to the centre.
It is set to expand eastwards, taking over
an adjacent parking area, owned by the city and two private companies.
The second phase will comprise another convention tower, at the entrance, with the possibility of a bridge connecting the towers.
Apart from the retail space, hospital and tower, the area will accommodate basement parking bays, and see the regeneration of the Founder’s Garden connecting the centre to the Artscape precinct.
A parking area will offer 2 000 parking bays and, in a modern twist, be located beneath the garden area.
The expansion of the CTICC is one of a series of about six urban regeneration projects planned for the CBD.
The city said the expansion was expected to put Cape Town firmly on the map as a competitive business destination, contributing to economic growth and driving job creation.
At a council meeting yesterday, the city approved R550 million for the venture over the next three financial years, along with R150m for the purchase of land parcels and related statutory processes.
Andrew Boraine, CEO of the Cape Town Partnership, said the partnership was “very happy to be pushing the button” for the launch of the expansion, which was still in its conceptual phase.
CTICC chief executive Rashied Toefy said the Cape Town International Jazz Festival gave management a “sound business case for the expansion”, with the centre almost bursting at the seams with 35 000 visitors.
He said the development would “unlock construction and development opportunities in the precinct of more than R4.5 billion, which will have a multiplier effect on the economy”.
Toefy aims to see the CTICC become the best long-haul international convention destination in the world.
It is ranked at number 35.
The expansion is set to create more than 8 000 jobs annually by 2018.
Felicity Purchase, mayoral committee member for economic development and tourism, said the centre had created 3 076 direct and 4 004 indirect skilled and semi-skilled jobs since its inception.
Robin Carlisle, MEC for Transport and Public Works, launched the regeneration project, which is to target six city precincts.
Alan Winde, Western Cape minister of Finance, Economic Development and Tourism, said the expansion would allow Cape Town to “maximise its competitive edge in the sector”.
Cape Town mayor Dan Plato said: “If we are to compete successfully in this global market, then we need a world-class convention facility.”