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(Redirected from SkyCity Auckland)
Skycity Auckland
Location Auckland CBD, Auckland, New Zealand
Address Corner Victoria and Federal Streets
Opening dateFebruary 2, 1996; 24 years ago
Signature attractionsSky Tower
Casino typeLand
OwnerSkycity Entertainment Group
Renovated in2006
Websitewww.skycityauckland.co.nz

Skycity Auckland (stylised as SkyCity Auckland) is a casino and event centre in the central business district of Auckland, New Zealand, between Victoria and Federal Streets. Located at the base of the Sky Tower, it was the second casino in New Zealand, and is still the only one in Auckland.

Facilities[edit]

In addition to the Sky Tower, the complex includes a 700-seat theatre, a convention center, bars and restaurants, and two hotels. The complex also has a casino that was last refurbished in 2006, with over 1,600 gambling machines, and over 100 gambling tables. The casino also has special rooms for VIP / high-stakes gamblers.[1]

In September 2013, it was announced that Skycity Auckland had purchased a 21m motor yacht 'Horizon II' for corporate entertainment.[2]

The Star Event Centre Age Restrictions: It is recommended children under the age of six years do not attend shows held in The Star Event Centre. Full details on the Children's Policy here. Guests must be 18 years or over to enter the Casino. View more events at The Star Event Centre here.

In February 2018, Skycity Auckland opened New Zealand's first purpose-built e-sports broadcasting studio, located on Level 2 of the Sky Tower, formerly known as XO Bar.[3]

By 2019 it will also house a convention centre catering for up to 3500 guests, costing over $700 million, after cutting a deal with the Government that will allow it to install extra poker machines and gambling tables.[4]

History[edit]

Facade of Skycity Auckland

The Sky Tower,[5] convention centre and hotel[6] were all built by Fletcher Construction and completed by 1997.

Skycity was the second casino in the country. At the time of its construction, it was controversial, just like the Sky Tower itself. Unlike the city's icon towering above it, major figures like former Auckland Mayor Dick Hubbard have remained critical of the casino, though he acknowledged that the complex itself has been positive for the city. However, there is criticism from various sources that the casino creates problem gambling and does not ban problem gamblers proactively enough.[7]

The casino provides almost 2000 jobs (as of January 2006), and has returned NZ$670 million in dividends to mainly Australian shareholders, from more than eight million visitors that have passed through, 15% from overseas. NZ$18.6 million were also paid to community organisations and trusts in the same time. 1.5% of the operating profit has to be paid out to charity according to law.[7]

With profits at its parent, the Skycity Entertainment Group, falling, it was announced in May 2007 that around 230 staff of Sky City would be let go within the following 12–18 months, though it was thought likely to be mostly through turnover attrition, and would be focused on management staff.[8][9]

On 11 May, Sky City announced that it will be slashing 700 jobs as a result of the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic in New Zealand. A month earlier, Sky City had slashed 200 jobs.[10][11]

Casino

Hotels[edit]

Skycity Hotel, Auckland is a casino hotel and was opened in February 1996. It is one of New Zealands busiest hotels and is located inside the main Auckland complex and serves mainly families, business travellers and gamblers who play at the casino. It offers 323 rooms refurbished in 2013.[12] Hotel guests may use all the facilities in the complex. It is a Qualmark rated 4 star hotel.[13]

Skycity Grand Hotel is a luxury 5 star hotel and was officially opened by Prime Minister Helen Clark in April 2005 after costing $85 million. It is not located inside the main complex but is adjacent and is connected by a skybridge. It serves mainly older guests, VIPs and high stake gamblers who play at the casino. Many celebrities have stayed at the hotel including Justin Timberlake, Christina Aguilera and Linkin Park. The Grand features 21 levels and 316 rooms. The rooms include The Grand Suite, 8 Premier Self Contained Suites, 11 Executive King Suites and 296 Luxury King rooms. The room interiors were designed by Chhada Siembieda (specialists in luxury hotel interiors and responsible for the W Hotel chain as well as the Hayman Island Resort, Sydney Hilton and the Hotel Intercontinental in both Sydney and in Hong Kong). Facilities and services include 24-hour room service and reception, a heated lap pool, fitness center, sauna, health spa, personal trainers, baby sitting and a hotel doctor.[14]

Events[edit]

In 2019, the Skycity Convention Centre played host to two World boxing title events, promoted by Bruce Glozier and Steve Deane of Rival Sports Promotions. The first event took place on March 30 Geovana Peres took on Lani Daniels for the WBO World women's light heavyweight title dubbed History in the making.[15] The event Sold out with 680 table tickets and was prerecored to broadcast on Sky Sports tv later in the week.[16] On 30 July, Bruce Glozier of Rival Sports Promotion announced the second World title event, Geovana Peres vs Claire Hafner.[17] As part of promoting the event, Geovana Peres did a world first by doing boxing pad work outside on top of the Sky Tower, 193 metres in the air.[18] The event sold out with over 1000 tickets and was broadcast live on Sky Sports 3 TV.[19]

New convention centre[edit]

In May 2013, the Government came to a deal with Skycity to build a new convention centre worth $402 million in exchange for gambling concessions. The concessions would allow Skycity to install an extra 230 poker machines, 40 gambling tables, as well as a further 12 gambling tables that could be substituted for automated table game player stations (but not poker machines). Skycity would also receive an extension to their casino licence, from its expiry in 2021 until 2048. In exchange, Skycity would be required to meet the full costs of the convention centre project.[20]

Describing the benefit for New Zealand, Economic Development Minister, Steven Joyce said the convention centre would add an estimated $90 million a year to the local economy, create 1,000 jobs during construction and 800 jobs once the centre is running.[20]

Living Sky Casino Event Centre

In 2015 it was announced that the anticipated cost of the convention centre had increased by $70–$130 million, to a total maximum of $530 million. Prime Minister John Key said he was considering making up the shortfall by giving Skycity public tax money to finish the project – as it would be an 'eyesore' if the extra funding was not made available.[21] Two days later on 12 February, following criticism in the media and in Parliament, the Prime Minister described the use of taxpayer funds as the 'least preferred option'.[22] Subsequently, on 15 February, it was announced that instead of seeking funding from the government for project over-runs, Skycity would instead be allowed to build a convention centre which was slightly smaller, so that total costs would remain about $400 million. The other option was that Skycity could put in funds of its own to build a large convention centre. The Labour Party claimed the move was a win for those who were opposed to public money bailing out the deal.[23]

2019 convention centre fire[edit]

A fire in the roof and upper part of the new convention centre started on 22 October 2019 while the building was still under construction. The fire burned for about two days, partly as a result of a decision to sacrifice the roof in order to try to save the lower part of the building by improving safety and access for firefighters working under the roof. After the roof had mostly burned away the remaining fire was extinguished.

The fire caused widespread disruption to Auckland's central business district and the air pollution in the city to exceed safe levels for the first time in over ten years.[24][25]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^VIP Gaming (from the official casino website)
  2. ^'SkyCity's 'floating palace' for high rollers'. New Zealand Herald. 2013-09-01. ISSN1170-0777. Retrieved 2015-12-31.
  3. ^'Social Snapshot: Sky City unveils new e-sports broadcasting centre'. Newshub. 2018-07-02. Retrieved 2018-03-19.
  4. ^'SkyCity convention centre set to create 800 jobs - Joyce'. TV NZ. May 13, 2013.
  5. ^Fletcher Construction website - Sky Tower
  6. ^Fletcher Construction website
  7. ^ ab'Auckland's big gamble, 10 years on'. The New Zealand Herald. 29 January 2006. Retrieved 12 November 2011.
  8. ^Marshall, Colin (22 May 2007). 'Union 'in the dark' over SkyCity job losses'. The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 12 November 2011.
  9. ^Orsman, Bernard (23 May 2007). 'Cards called for 230 at SkyCity in cost-cut drive'. The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 12 November 2011.
  10. ^Flaws, Bonnie (11 May 2020). 'Coronavirus: Sky City announces more job losses to come'. Stuff. Archived from the original on 11 May 2020. Retrieved 12 May 2020.
  11. ^'SkyCity plans 700 job cuts due to Covid-19 downturn'. Radio New Zealand. 11 May 2020. Archived from the original on 12 May 2020. Retrieved 12 May 2020.
  12. ^'SkyCity Hotel official site'.
  13. ^'Qualmark official site'.
  14. ^'SkyCity Grand Hotel official site'.
  15. ^'THE ULTIMATE DREAM HAS COME TRUE FOR GEOVANA PERES'. Gay Express. 31 March 2019. Retrieved 8 October 2019.
  16. ^'Peres-Daniels WBO World Title fight a sell out'. Newsie. 29 March 2019. Retrieved 8 October 2019.
  17. ^'Boxing: Kiwi Geovana Peres to defend WBO title against Canadian Claire Hafner'. New Zealand Herald. 31 July 2019. Retrieved 8 October 2019.
  18. ^'Kiwi boxing champion Geovana Peres to defend title'. Stuff NZ. 31 July 2019. Retrieved 8 October 2019.
  19. ^'Geovana Peres Retains World title with the first TKO of her Career'. Women Boxing. 5 October 2019. Retrieved 8 October 2019.
  20. ^ ab'SkyCity convention centre set to create 800 jobs - Joyce'. TVNZ. 13 May 2013.
  21. ^'John Key: SkyCity will be an 'eyesore' without government money'. Stuff.co.nz. 10 February 2015.
  22. ^'Public money for SkyCity convention centre 'least preferred' fix'. The New Zealand Herald. 12 February 2015.
  23. ^'SkyCity drops funding bid'. Radio New Zealand News. 15 February 2015. Retrieved 16 February 2015.
  24. ^'Auckland's SkyCity Convention Centre fire: Firefighter in serious condition as building goes up in flames'. Stuff.co.nz. 22 October 2019. Retrieved 24 October 2019.
  25. ^'SkyCity fire live: Inferno rages, roof fears, TVNZ evacuated'. New Zealand Herald. 23 October 2019. Retrieved 24 October 2019.

External links[edit]

Coordinates: 36°50′56″S174°45′42″E / 36.8488°S 174.7617°E

Retrieved from 'https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Skycity_Auckland&oldid=992799310'
(Redirected from 2019 SkyCity Convention Centre Fire)
New Zealand International Convention Centre fire
Date22 October 2019
LocationAuckland CBD, Auckland, New Zealand
Coordinates36°50′57″S174°45′37″E / 36.8491°S 174.7603°ECoordinates: 36°50′57″S174°45′37″E / 36.8491°S 174.7603°E
TypeFire

On Tuesday, 22 October 2019, a fire broke out on the roof of the New Zealand International Convention Centre in Auckland, New Zealand. The convention centre is to become part of the SkyCity complex and was undergoing construction by Fletcher Construction, due for completion before the end of the year.[1] The site was occupied by construction workers at the time and was not open to the public.

The incident led to large scale disruption in Auckland for over 48 hours as the fire continued to burn, forcing areas of the central business district to be shut down, in part because of disruption caused by smoke that was deemed toxic.[2][3] Media organisations including TVNZ were impacted by building evacuations and street closures, leading to disruptions in national broadcasts and programming.[4] The effort to put out the blaze resulted in a large emergency service response, including mobile alerts issued by Civil Defence.

By the evening of the fire, it had been classified as a 'sixth-alarm', the highest category of response for an urban fire in New Zealand.[5] Efforts to put out the blaze were complicated by unfavourable weather, with winds of up to 110km/h fanning flames.[6] The fire continued to burn through to the following day, and efforts to extinguish and monitor hotspots continued through to Friday of that week.[3]

The Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management issued a mobile alert following the fire, warning Auckland residents to stay away from the city.[7]

Incident[edit]

Over 30 fire appliances attended the blaze (Auckland fire truck pictured in 2017).

Just after 1:00PM on Tuesday 22 October 2019, construction workers began to evacuate the building site of the New Zealand International Convention Centre. Approximately 100 workers were on site at the time.[8]Fire and Emergency New Zealand were alerted to the fire via a 111 call at 1:09:37PM. The first fire appliance arrived on the scene at 1:14:03PM.[9]

The official cause of the fire has not yet been determined, however media reports have speculated (based on anecdotal claims by Lindsay Rowlands, an electrician who was working below the fire)[2] that a blowtorch was accidentally left on and unattended on the roof during a process to seal weatherproofing material. Workers were initially confused about the evacuation, unsure whether it was a drill.[5] Ross Tayor, CEO of Fletcher Building, confirmed blowtorches were being used at the time.[6]

An hour after the event unfolded, Auckland mayor Phil Goff reportedly claimed he and other council staff had been watching the blaze, and that it had already spread right through the western and eastern sides of the building.[5] It was reported that people in nearby buildings claimed the heat could be felt on windows, and pedestrians began to gather on Queen Street to watch the smoke as the blaze grew bigger.[10]

The fire burned on through the night despite efforts to keep it under control. By the following evening, much of the roof had burned away. Firefighters made the decision to allow it to burn out. Approximately 30 fire appliances and over 100 fire service staff had been present at the site by this time.[4] The fire was under control by Thursday evening, but firefighters continued to monitor hotspots in the building on Friday.[3]

Shares in Fletcher Building and SkyCity dropped hours after the incident.[11][12]

Casualties[edit]

Nobody died as a direct result of the fire.[13] Four people were injured in the incident; three were treated for minor injuries at the scene, and another was taken to Auckland City Hospital in a moderate condition.[14] A firefighter who suffered a medical event while at the site was taken to hospital in a serious condition, but was discharged the following day.[15][14]

Impact on Auckland[edit]

The fire caused widespread disruption in Auckland for two days. Streets in the central business district were closed, and evacuations of nearby buildings continued into the morning of the 23rd, including the headquarters of TVNZ, the Auckland District Court, and other central buildings.[4] Residents were advised to avoid entering the central city due to smoke being fanned by winds.[16]

The Sky Tower was promptly closed following the fire.[17] By the afternoon of 22 October, the full SkyCity complex had been shut down, including the casino, hotel, and carpark.[6] Other hotels and organisations in hospitality reportedly offered to help SkyCity guests who were displaced by the closures.[18] Among those displaced were the Great Britain Lions who were staying at the SkyCity Grand Hotel when it was evacuated.[19]

Health concerns[edit]

Smoke-related[edit]

Concerns have been raised as to the toxicity of the black smoke. Residents living in nearby apartments claimed that their apartments smelled of 'burning plastic' and induced nausea and other symptoms.[2] A spokesperson for the Auckland District Health Board said there had been no smoke-related hospital admissions during the first night that the fire burned,[2] however a public health alert was issued by the Auckland Regional Public Health Service advising residents to stay away from the smoke where possible.[16][20] Those who were near the site began to wear face masks. By Thursday, officials advised nearby residents to keep windows closed and shut down external ventilators in their buildings if necessary.[3]

Water pollution[edit]

Contaminated water that had collected in the basement of the building was pumped out into the Viaduct harbour. Reports indicated there were approximately 100 vehicles parked in the basement and submerged in the water. Auckland Council issued a safety warning to residents as toxicology tests were being conducted to determine if the water posed a threat to human health or sealife.[21]

Disruption of media broadcasts[edit]

On 22 October, 1 News continued to broadcast from its headquarters, on the same block as the fire. Just before the morning show Breakfast went to air on 23 October, they were evacuated. BBC World News aired on TVNZ 1 for 15 minutes, before Breakfast came on air, broadcasting from the streets and in a backup studio: the TVNZ BCP site, which is located under the Spark NZ building down the road from the TVNZ studios. 1 News At Midday was reduced to a five minute bulletin, and Te Karere and 1 News Tonight were cancelled; 1 News At 6pm was a full 60-minute bulletin.[22] On 23 October, programming returned to normal, but still from the backup studio. Lotto New Zealand could not access their studio at TVNZ or their regular draw machines, so the Wednesday 23 October draw was conducted off-air at their Newmarket headquarters using their backup random number generator. It was the first time since Lotto began in 1987 that the draw was conducted completely off-air.[23] They returned to their normal site on 30 October.

Aftermath[edit]

Mayor Phil Goff, pictured in 2018, watched the blaze from his office.

Political response[edit]

Living Sky Casino Event Center

New Zealand Prime MinisterJacinda Ardern publicly praised the firefighters involved in the effort, describing them as 'incredibly professional' and insisting that it would not change plans for the APEC conference in 2021. She visited the site alongside Mayor of AucklandPhil Goff, who also praised firefighters, stating 'they have done us proud.'[14] Various MPs praised emergency services battling the blaze during a parliamentary meeting the day following the blaze.[18]

Former Green Party politician Russel Norman made a political criticism following the fire, writing 'always said John Key's convention centre deal stank' in reference to former prime minister John Key's SkyCity deal in 2011. He continued, 'Today it stinks of burnt plastic, right across Auckland CBD.' The comments received backlash for being 'inconsiderate' of those harmed by the fire.[24]

Living Sky Casino Event Centre Hotel

Cost of incident[edit]

A day after the incident, questions were raised as to what financial impact the fire would have, and if it would be the burden of insurers.[25] Willis Towers Watson is acting as the insurance broker, but refused to comment to media. SkyCity Entertainment Group decided not to disclose who the insurer is. The cost of repair is likely to cost many millions of dollars.[26][27]

On 7 November 2019, SkyCity told investors that the convention centre would not be ready for conventions booked in 2021, impacting at least two dozen major conferences and ruling out the hosting of the 2021 APEC conference, which would have to find other venues.[28]

Living Sky Casino Event Centre Singapore

Living sky casino event center

Living Sky Casino Event Centre Deira

See also[edit]

Living Sky Casino Event Centre Seating Chart

References[edit]

  1. ^'NZICC and Horizon Hotel'. Fletcher Construction. Archived from the original on 22 August 2019. Retrieved 23 October 2019.
  2. ^ abcd'SkyCity Auckland fire: Why is the smoke thick, black and toxic?'. Stuff.co.nz. 23 October 2019. Retrieved 23 October 2019.
  3. ^ abcd'SkyCity Auckland fire: How to clean your house after exposure to 'toxic' smoke'. Stuff. Retrieved 2019-10-25.
  4. ^ abcManhire, Toby (2019-10-23). '24 hours on: The SkyCity Convention Centre fire explained in 15 questions'. The Spinoff. Retrieved 2019-10-23.
  5. ^ abc'SkyCity fire: Fire and Emergency NZ upscale blaze to 6th alarm'. New Zealand Herald. 22 October 2019. ISSN1170-0777. Retrieved 23 October 2019.
  6. ^ abc'Live updates: Auckland's SkyCity convention centre fire still burning'. Newshub. 23 October 2019. Retrieved 23 October 2019.
  7. ^Neilson, Michael (23 October 2019). 'SkyCity Convention Centre fire: Aucklanders advised to avoid central city amid fire disruptions, bring walking shoes'. New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 23 October 2019.
  8. ^'As it happened: SkyCity convention centre fire in Auckland'. Newshub. 22 October 2019. Retrieved 23 October 2019.
  9. ^Wilding, Peter. 'FIRE INVESTIGATION REPORT -- 87-93 Wellesley Street West, Auckland Central, Auckland -- 1:09 p.m. 22 October 2019'(PDF). Fire and Emergency New Zealand.
  10. ^''It was hot against the windows': Witness in nearby building on SkyCity fire'. Newshub. 2019-10-22. Retrieved 2019-10-23.
  11. ^McBeth, Paul (22 October 2019). 'NZ shares higher; SkyCity falls as fire rages'. New Zealand Herald. ISSN1170-0777. Retrieved 23 October 2019.
  12. ^Gray, Jamie; Bridgeman, Duncan (22 October 2019). 'Fletcher Building, SkyCity shares recover after early fall, insurance questions clarified'. New Zealand Herald. ISSN1170-0777. Retrieved 23 October 2019.
  13. ^natalie.akoorie@nzherald.co.nz @NatalieAkoorie, Natalie Akoorie NZ Herald reporter based in Hamilton (2019-10-22). 'SkyCity Convention Centre fire: Artworks survival a great blessing'. ISSN1170-0777. Retrieved 2019-10-23.
  14. ^ abc'SkyCity Convention Centre fire: Jacinda Ardern hails 'incredibly professional' firefighters'. Stuff.co.nz. 23 October 2019. Retrieved 23 October 2019.
  15. ^'Person taken to hospital in serious condition confirmed to be firefighter'. Newshub. 2019-10-22. Retrieved 2019-10-23.
  16. ^ ab'SkyCity fire: Stay away from Auckland CBD and out of 'toxic' smoke'. Stuff. Retrieved 2019-10-23.
  17. ^Herald, N. Z. 'Sky City blaze: Fire and Emergency NZ upscale blaze to 5th alarm'. ZB. Retrieved 2019-10-23.
  18. ^ abderek.cheng@nzme.co.nz, Derek Cheng Derek Cheng is a political reporter for the New Zealand Herald (2019-10-23). 'Parliament praises firefighters' response to the 'tragedy' of SkyCity fire'. ISSN1170-0777. Retrieved 2019-10-23.
  19. ^'Great Britain Lions evacuated from Auckland hotel because of SkyCity fire'. Stuff. Retrieved 2019-10-23.
  20. ^'FAQs - Sky City Convention Centre fire'. arphs.health.nz. Retrieved 2019-10-23.
  21. ^'Hazard alert issued as eight million litres of filthy water from Auckland SkyCity fire pumped into harbour'. Stuff. Retrieved 2019-10-24.
  22. ^'SkyCity fire: Lotto won't be televised tonight'. 2019-10-23. ISSN1170-0777. Retrieved 2019-10-23.
  23. ^'Televised Lotto draw canned as Auckland central studio unavailable due to SkyCity fire'. Newshub. Retrieved 2019-10-23.
  24. ^'Outrage over Greenpeace boss Russel Norman's bitter tweet about SkyCity fire'. Newshub. Retrieved 23 October 2019.
  25. ^simon.collins@nzherald.co.nz, Simon Collins Education reporter, NZ Herald (2019-10-24). 'SkyCity fire: Insurance cover may be refused if 'recklessness' proved'. ISSN1170-0777. Retrieved 2019-10-24.
  26. ^tamsyn.parker@nzherald.co.nz, Tamsyn Parker Money Editor, NZ Herald (2019-10-23). 'Revealed: Nasdaq-listed insurance broker advising on SkyCity's fire-ravaged convention centre'. ISSN1170-0777. Retrieved 2019-10-23.
  27. ^anne.gibson@nzherald.co.nz @anneherald, Anne Gibson Property editor, NZ Herald (2019-10-22). 'SkyCity Convention Centre fire: Who pays for the damage to $700m construction site?'. ISSN1170-0777. Retrieved 2019-10-23.
  28. ^'SkyCity fire's impact – damaged convention centre out of action for two years'. Stuff.co.nz. 8 November 2019. Retrieved 7 November 2019.
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