Vector Arena “World Class” Venue

May 26, 2005

Vector Arena “World Class” Entertainment And Sporting Venue

New Zealand’s newest and most advanced entertainment and sporting venue will be known as Vector Arena, it was announced today (Thursday May 26).

The naming rights sponsor will be the infrastructure company Vector.

“We are excited to have Vector on board as naming rights sponsor because the company shares the vision of the Vector Arena as an iconic Auckland venue,” said the venue Chairman, Kevin Jacobsen, speaking from New York.

“It brings a new dimension to the city and will attract sporting and entertainment events from around the globe. That’s incredibly exciting for all of New Zealand,” he said.

“New Zealanders and Aucklanders should be very proud of the Vector Arena,” Mr Jacobsen said.

“International artists and shows have always shown huge interest in coming to New Zealand but the facilities have often not been appropriate,” he said. “That has now changed and we have incredible interest from promoters who want to bring events here.”

“The Vector Arena will become a vital link for tours to the Asia Pacific rim. No longer will you need to travel to other parts of New Zealand or Australia to enjoy some of the world’s finest entertainment.

“The Vector Arena will also be a great outlet for the development of New Zealand talent and will regularly host community events and activities.”

The venue’s Chief Executive, Bruce Mactaggart, today briefed media personnel on Vector Arena’s progress and provided an update on its exciting potential.

Mr Mactaggart said the Vector Arena’s technical capabilities were unsurpassed.

“It can handle up to 54 tonnes of lighting and sound equipment in the roof - enough to stage the biggest shows in the world - while seating 12,200 people,” he said.

“That capability will set new standards for the type of events staged in the city, indeed in this country.”

Vector Arena’s flexible seating arrangements and floor plan can accommodate a wide range of international and local sporting events, arena spectaculars and all forms of entertainment.

“The Vector Arena has been designed to offer great depth and diversity of entertainment. It can stage basketball one day and a concert the next,” says Mr Mactaggart.

It can be reconfigured to accommodate sporting events at international elite competition standard. These include basketball, motocross, netball, equestrian, gymnastics, boxing, tennis, wrestling, icehockey and volleyball.

The floor will be able to hold three full-sized netball courts with international level run off around each side.

“It will be Auckland’s first truly world class indoor sports and entertainment arena, capable of hosting ballet, opera, arena spectaculars, family shows, concerts, conventions, trade shows, ice shows, banquets, sporting events and dance parties,” says Mr Mactaggart.

Mr Mactaggart also acknowledged the role of the key stakeholders in the new Vector Arena.

Auckland City, which had seen the need for a significant world-class venue and made the commitment and financial contribution towards building the Vector Arena.

Mainzeal, which had designed and built a world class venue, taking advantage of the experience of international specialist architects.

Jacobsen Venue Management, owned by one of the Australasian entertainment industry’s best known families. Jacobsens have been involved with opening and managing similar venues around the world.

Worldwide Entertainment Group, one of the largest promoters of live entertainment in the USA.

He said the involvement of companies with the international stature of the Jacobsen Group and Worldwide Entertainment means Auckland will “punch well above its weight” in the global entertainment industry.

“Some of the most influential companies in the global entertainment industry are stakeholders in this venue and that’s going to be great for Auckland and New Zealand,” he said.

He also praised Auckland City’s vision for creating the arena through a public private partnership.

“Vector Arena is the first significant infrastructure private public partnership for Auckland City Council and is being undertaken as a BOOT (Build Own Operate Transfer) project,” he said.

Mr Mactaggart said construction of the Vector Arena is scheduled for completion in March next year.

Relevant websites:

www.vectorarena.co.nz www.jvm.com.au www.touringdownunder.com

ENDS

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