Mar
20
Mystery Creek launches ‘Master Plan Design Challenge’
March 20, 2012 | Leave a Comment
Mystery Creek Events Centre today announced it is taking the first step toward a long-term, massive redevelopment of its entire 88 hectare campus.
Owned by National Fieldays Society, it is calling on architects, urban designers and planners throughout New Zealand to participate in its ‘Master Plan Design Challenge.’ Contest. Participants will draw up their recommendations for a site master plan and the finalists will each receive $5,000. The winner will be invited to work with Mystery Creek Events Centre to develop the winning scheme, including consultation with stakeholders and technical refinement of the proposal.
Jon Calder, National Fieldays Society CEO, says developing a new master plan for Mystery Creek Events Centre is a major step forward in achieving the Society’s vision.
“Our vision is to be the best multi-functional events organisation in New Zealand, providing high quality events and services that add value to our stakeholders.
“Over the years, our venue has largely evolved around the needs of National Fieldays and other agricultural events. However, more and more we are hosting large stay-on-site festivals, multi-day conferences and major national exhibitions. We now find that our major events are focussed across a broad cross section in addition to our major brand “Fieldays”. Therefore, we need to ensure our campus evolves with the needs of the entire events industry, providing flexibility and scalability to meet the needs of our customers.”
“Creating the ultimate master plan for the site and working towards making the plan a reality will help us firmly stamp our mark as one of the best venues for super events in Australasia,” explains Mr Calder.
Relevant companies are asked to register their interest to participate in the Master Plan Design Challenge by 5pm Monday 2nd of April. Once successful finalists are confirmed, designs and rationale must be submitted for judging by 5pm Friday 11th of May. The winner will be announced on Friday 25th of May with the winning design released to the public. For more details, visit Mystery Creek Events Centre’s website www.mysterycreek.co.nz/masterplan.
Mr Calder said once the winning site master plan was selected, the organisation would prioritise expansion projects and progress redevelopment as finances allowed. He said he expected the first phase of the Master Plan project to commence before the end of the calendar year.
Tony Begbie, Mystery Creek Events Centre board member and chair of the Society’s Asset and Facilities Committee, says having a Master Plan will help the Centre invest wisely for the benefit of the National Fieldays Society Members and the wider Region.
“Mystery Creek Events Centre is a non-profit organisation and any surpluses generated from our own events are invested back into our property and facilities. Having a new Master Plan will allow us to continue to invest more strategically and plan intelligently for the future.
“And, as we continue to grow as a leading events venue, we can provide even greater economic benefits to Hamilton City and the greater Region,” says Mr Begbie.
Participants in Mystery Creek Event Centre’s Master Plan Design Challenge will be asked to consider site layout, facilities, buildings and infrastructure. This includes: new event footprints, car parking requirements, broadband needs, roading layouts, new covered exhibition space, additional conference and meeting rooms, plus sustainable environmental considerations. The needs of current super events such as Fieldays, Equidays, THE Expo and Parachute will also be incorporated into the master plan design.
Interested parties can download the Mystery Creek Master Plan Design Challenge guidelines at http://mysterycreek.co.nz/masterplan or phone 07 843 4497 for further information.
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Contacts:
Media enquiries to Ariana Tucker, Mystery Creek Events Centre Communications Advisor, ph 07 843 4497 arianat@mysterycreek.co.nz .
Expression of Interest entries to the Master Plan Design Challenge are to be made at www.mysterycreek.co.nz/interestform