It would be nice to see some costings on a Conference Centre without the confusion of including a PAC in the deal.

There are of course many facilities in Nelson already, as well as those recently come into play like that at the Trafalgar Centre, and more in the pipeline such as that at the Rutherford Hotel. If a gap is identified in the market that could be commercially filled then I would welcome the Council supporting private industry to do so, but not to go into business itself

John

Yes it does, as it is a very popular facility, and one which will generate revenue for Council if it develops it right. I tried (for our Nelson-Marlborough Branch of the NZ Planning Insitute) to get a conference here for 500-600 () but because we had no facility big enough to hold the plenary sessions, it went to Blenheim which has such a centre by its river! Whilst the Rutherford is proposing an improved one, there is still room for another multi use centre that should be built in the Rutherford Park area (not an extended Trafalgar Centre which is inadequate for conferences). It should be developed in conjunction with Wakatu Incorporation who have the land there too and will be the recipients of the Treaty Claim settlement funds. Council should be proactive and get alongside them right now. A fabulous site alongside the river in amongst a redeveloped recreation area, which currently looks shocking!

Hugh Briggs (candidate and planning consultant)

At the moment \"I don\'t know\" is the simple answer.

I am aware that it has been looked at as part of a Performing Arts and Conference Centre, and then as a standalone option once that faltered. I\'m not up to speed with where that process is at now, and would expect to be fully briefed once elected.

Yes. There is a gap in Nelson and has been for some years to cater for (larger than we can cope with now) conferences and celebrations. I would like to see this filled either by NCC alone, NCC & TDC or with a private company – someone providing additional accommodation would fit well.

Lets look at the figures. We would be the 7th in New Zealand, and it could be an opportunity to introduce an international audience to our region. Rotorua, Queenstown and maybe Nelson?

I  support a Conference Centre if the benefits outweigh the costs and escalating rates are not the source of funding.

I am not in favour of the Nelson ratepayer financially supporting a confrence centre.

I am in support of the Nelson City supporting business to build a confrence centre.

Nelson city already run two confrence centres

There is also a number of privately run confrence centres in nelson with at least two planned through private development.

No a private facility is already planned.

Awaiting response

Yes, however not with rate payer money.

Awaiting response

Hi John

My apologies for the delay in reply.  First I need to ask conference and event organisers how many conferences or events bids did we really miss out on by not having a Conference Centre?  I believe at the moment we do have the facilities and venues to cover a good size conference and/or events.  I believe its in the marketing of Nelson as a great total package that we should improve on.  People come to Nelson not just for their big conferences but to experience it, so a dynamic strategy of marketing the totality of the region, beyond the venues and facilities, I believe maybe more cost effective at this stage of our economy before looking at our \'wish list\' projects that will impact on rates.  Thank you for this opportunity to express my views. Best wishes,

Marie Johnstone 

In the Nelson Mail I said I was lukewarm but if justified in a cost benefit study I would support it. Expanding on that, if it is not a burden on rate payers and can be justified as a stand alone business then obviously it would be beneficial to Nelson. I would not like to see a conflict with any proposed private sector development and would support any cost effective public private partnership.  

Awaiting response

Yes definitely and  I refer you to my website where you will find media releases and commentary - www.rachelreese.co.nz

Yes subject to joint funding from the TDC.

Not having a major conference centre that can cater for around  800+ delegates is a weakness in our Nelson City  marketing profile. We also need more ways to boost economic activity in the winter months. However, any NCC investment in such a project must be based on a sound business model. There is no need for NCC to own or manage such a facility. I don\'t regard owning conference buildings as a core business of NCC. I would support a partnership agreement or a shareholding in such a venture but any investment must be based on a sound business model with a satisfactory return for ratepayers. The conference industry must also provide long term assurances that there is demand for such a Nelson facility. Regards Patrick    

John, I presently work in the construction industry and I could easily declare that we need a council-owned convention centre right now but this would be short sighted and a bit selfish. I believe that rate payers deserve the best possible return on recent high level investments such as the extended Trafalgar Centre, The refurbished Theatre Royal, the Saxton Field complex and more recently the upgraded Trafalgar Park. However, I also do see that the conference market offers a great opportunity for the region but I question whether council is the best organisation to do this, so I do support Aldo Miccio\'s idea to set up a depoliticised organisation to sort out all our events venues as listed above, including a potential conference centre.

Conference Centre

Why do we need another one? There are a number of small conference centres in the region now that are not fully utilised.

Peter Talley already has a large Conference Centre at the Rutherford Hotel and he is expanding it into a huge new facility at his cost.

Ratepayers money does not have to be involved at all. The private sector is already doing the job without ratepayers money!!

Why do the Handsup Councilors keep wanting to waste your money duplicating what is already in place or about to be built by the private sector.