SkyCity has confirmed plans to increase floor space at its
Auckland casino as it seeks Government approval for more
gaming machines in return for building a $350 million
national convention centre.
But the company says its expansion plans are not linked to
the convention centre proposal and yesterday denied
suggestions the controversial deal had been finalised.
The New Zealand Herald understands SkyCity has told
contractors the deal has been concluded and the convention
centre will go ahead.
An employee of one of the contractors told the Herald SkyCity
was planning to alter the entrance area to the casino to fit
in more pokies.
SkyCity spokesman Gordon Jon Thompson yesterday confirmed the
casino was considering increasing its floorspace by extending
the third floor, where its main gaming area is, out into the
upper part of the atrium at the main Victoria St entrance.
However, Mr Thompson said the plans were preliminary. Any
increase in floorspace would not necessarily result in a
larger gaming area, and "any plans we have to enhance our
Auckland property are not linked to the convention centre
negotiations and are not contingent on concluding the
negotiations".
"We are always looking to enhance our property and improve
customer experience. This is business as usual."
The casino had not made any final decisions on the work.
Mr Thompson also said no deal had yet been struck with the
Government over the convention centre.
A spokeswoman for Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce,
whose ministry has been leading negotiations with SkyCity,
said yesterday that while talks were well advanced, "it would
be incorrect and misleading to say any final deal had been
reached".
"The minister is not expecting any agreement to be concluded
until after the Office of the Auditor-General report has been
released."
The Auditor-General has been investigating how SkyCity was
chosen to build the convention centre after Prime Minister
John Key dined with the company's board and suggested they
should pitch for the contract.
A spokeswoman for Mr Key yesterday confirmed his office had
now provided feedback on the draft report, "as have other
relevant interested parties".
Last month, the Office of the Auditor-General said it would
publish the final report once it had received feedback on its
draft from the relevant parties.
- Adam Bennett of the NZ Herald
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