Sun City announces new vision for Entertainment Centre

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Sun City officially commenced with the ambitious upgrade of the iconic Entertainment Centre on 11 January 2016. The Entertainment Centre, which houses the Superbowl, will be re-imagined and rebuilt at a cost of R300-million as part of the resorts R800-million refurbishment currently underway.
The ambitious construction project is set to span 11 months and will shut down the Entertainment Centre, marking a significant moment in Sun City’s evolution as the resort ushers in the #NewSunCity.
Opened in 1981, the Entertainment Centre is reminiscent of an era when Sun City was established as the first casino accessible to South Africans on the boarder of the then Bophuthatswana. Once a sprawling casino floor, the Entertainment Centre has undergone some changes over the years and prior to construction was home to restaurants, a sports bar and nightclub, children’s arcade games, the Conference Centre and the Superbowl.
The new Entertainment Centre will become, as Sun International’s Chief Operating Officer, Rob Collins words it, “an experiential entertainment centre”.
It will offer a spectacular array of experiences including familiar South African restaurants, shops, arcade games, lazer tag, ten pin bowling, cinemas and other fun-filled activities for visitors of all ages as well as a larger and optimised Convention Centre on the upper level.
Says Colin Jonkers, Sun International’s Group Retail General Manager: “Some of South Africa’s trusted retail and restaurant brands will be establishing their roots at Sun City to offer quality and value for money options for visitors of all ages, especially families.”
A fully equipped temporary structure has been erected at Sun City’s Front Entrance Car Park. This facility, is called Sun Sky Village, and can accommodate conferences during the reconstruction of the Conference Centre. Boasting a variety of integrated offerings, it will become a conferencing hub for Sun City.
The revitalised Conference Centre will boast a refurbished Pilanesberg and Royal Ballroom venue, new meeting rooms and an additional conferencing venue complemented by a dedicated slow lounge and coffee shop. Guests and delegates will also have access to a permanent exhibition in the form of the South African Hall of Fame honouring the country’s sports people and performing artists.
While the new Sun Park has just been completed, this multipurpose facility can host lifestyle events, music festivals, product launches and other experiences. Ample and versatile, Sun Park will offer the support services of an indoor events venue with the flexibility of an outdoor space.
The new Sun Park and Conferencing Centre facilities will take Sun City’s conferencing and conventions offering to a whole new level. Companies will have access to a consolidated offering and the opportunity to tailor their conference packages, combining activities and entertainment available at the resort, based on their specific requirements. Activities that can be incorporated into conference and teambuilding packages include, amongst others, gaming at the casino, rounds of golf on Sun City’s two championship golf courses, outdoor adventure activities at Adrenalin Extreme, the Zip Slide, water sports at Waterworld at Cabanas hotel, big five safaris with Mankwe Gametrackers at the nearby Pilanesberg National Park, thrilling water rides at the Valley of Waves, and The Maze at the Lost City.
Commenting on the remodelling of the Entertainment Centre and Conferencing Centre, Nicholas Forsythe: General Manager Events, Conferencing and Sports says “After 34 years, the curtain has closed on Sun City’s entertainment and conference hub as we know it. The facility has served the resort, our visitors and our concessionaires well, but it is time for a change. As the resort enters a new era so must the facilities. Our guests can look forward to better and more diverse experiences when the facility reopens towards the end of 2016.”
For more information about Sun City visit www.suninternational.com. Like Sun City on Facebook SunCitySA and follow on Twitter SunCityResortSA

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