Claudelands Events Centre

The Claudelands Events Centre redevelopment project has been designed on the basis of a unique one-site, multi-zoned facility with strong connectivity and close proximity to Hamilton's CBD. This major upgrade and redevelopment is a milestone project for the city and an exciting new feature on the trans-Tasman map of event and conference destinations.

The proposed redevelopment includes a 5000-capacity multipurpose indoor arena, 1500-capacity conference centre and upgraded exhibition facilities.

Where we are at:

Public notification for the Resource Consent application for the arena was given on Wednesday, 19 November. The notification period closes on Wednesday, 17 December.

The complete application, Assessment of Environmental Effects and original plans drawn to scale are available for inspection at the Planning Guidance Unit office on the Ground Floor of the Hamilton City Council building in Garden Place.

Highlights of the project:

• 5000-capacity indoor arena for live performance, indoor sports, conference plenaries and banquet dinners
• A conference facility with two levels of flat floor space of 800sqm and 1000sqm with ancillary break out rooms
• Improved exhibition areas for consumer and trade shows of up to 10,500 sqm of indoor space
• 5,000sqm outdoor exhibition plaza
• 4.8h multi-purpose grassed oval
• Large arrival plaza connecting the Hamilton CBD to Claudelands
• Improved animal areas for relevant events
• Improved on-site carparking
  

Works programme:

Claudelands Events Centre is a four- year project with work commencing in late 2007 and expected completion by July 2010.

Contact us:

If you have a query related to Claudelands Events Centre, please email us:

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Site history:

The Claudelands Events Centre site has strong historical significance for Hamilton. In 1882, the site was leased from the crown by a group of Hamilton residents called the Claudeland Syndicate and after seven years this group purchased the land.

During their lease and ownership, the Claudelands Syndicate sub-leased the land to the South Auckland Racing Club and the site was used primarily as a race course, but also leased to other organisations for their activities.

In 1903, the Waikato Agricultural and Pastoral Association bought the site having used the property since 1892 with a very active on-site programme.The South Auckland Racing Club continued to operate under a new lease arrangment and to own their own buildings on-site at Claudelands.

In 1924, after the lease arrangements and growth in racing outgrew the premises, the South Auckland Racing Club moved to its present-day site at Te Rapa.

The Waikato Trotting Club also operated at the Claudelands site, being first registered in 1907 and operating a thriving operation until the 1920s. At this stage Claudelands used by the Trotting Club, A&P Show, Polo Association, Greyhound racing and the Hamilton Motorcycle Club.

In 1966 the A&P Association became the Waikato Show Trust and a new lease of the Claudelands site was negotiated with the Trotting Club in 1979

By the 1990s, the entire site became under-utilised and the Waikato Show Trust sold the Claudelands Showgrounds to Hamilton City Council.