Work has begun once more to finish SkyCity’s $900 million International Convention Centre in downtown Auckland, New Zealand.
The roof and upper floors of the seven-story structure were damaged by a fire last October. Construction resumed again in January, then stopped due to the coronavirus lockdown, which took effect March 25.
“Fletcher Construction is taking a staged approach to returning to work across its sites following the government lockdown with an emphasis on ensuring the health and safety of its staff,” said a government spokeswoman.
The convention center was originally slated to open in December 2023; no revision of that timeline has been announced.
Meanwhile, SkyCity is looking to restart work on renovations to some of its VIP gaming spaces and a new food court in Auckland which were under way before the lockdown, according to Asia Gaming Brief. A spokeswoman confirmed that the company would not be opening any of its venues under Alert Level 3.
AGB reports that nearly half the hotels in New Zealand are now closed and those that are still open are reporting occupancy rates of less than 10 percent. Only essential workers are allowed to travel and that restriction remains in force for at least another two weeks. Auckland International Airport, New Zealand’s major gateway, is also operating on 10 percent capacity.
The prime ministers of both Australia and New Zealand are projecting a quick return of travel between the two countries once coronavirus restrictions can be safely eased.
