$46m expansion for Events Centre
Bustling Queenstown Events Centre is about to get a game-changing upgrade.
Plans are in the development pipeline for a $46 million expansion including a major new indoor sports building, with four multi-purpose courts and gym space.
Queenstown Lakes District Council, which owns and operates the popular facility, is asking companies to submit design plans for the project, which will meet the district's explosive growth. Construction could begin in early 2026 and is expected to take around 18 months.
"We're busting at the seams to be honest," council sports and recreation boss Simon Battrick says.
"Some of our sports clubs don't want to attract new members because they just don't have the facilities to cope with them. Our gym has 2800 members. And the population continues to grow, so we want to future proof the facility."
The expansion will triple the number of indoor courts available, up from two to six NBA-sized courts for basketball, netball, futsal, badminton and other sports. Gym space will be doubled, adding 800sqm to the current 798sqm space.
The new complex will stretch across the existing car parks from the current building, towards sports field four, near the astro-turf courts and Frankton golf course.
Like the existing hangar-style courts building, it will be reasonably no frills, although design will need to be sympathetic to the stunning landscapes nearby and be a building that will last.
"It will be function over form," Battrick says, with the council learning a lesson from the expensive and disruptive replacement of the Alpine Aqualand ceiling.
QLDC already has the budget earmarked for the project.
And don't worry about car parking - the plan is to move the car park to Grant Road behind the facility, increasing capacity from the existing 340 spaces to 535.
"From my perspective, it's a fantastic success to get this project underway - it's been eight-and-a-half years in the making."
