Following its purchase of the Novotel Twin Waters Resort last month, Shakespeare Property Group has revealed plans to build a new $8 million convention centre at the Sunshine Coast property.

Slated to open in April 2019, the 1600-square-metre convention centre will offer four meeting and event spaces, which will together cater for up to 2000 delegates theatre style or 1000 banquet style.

A formal ground-breaking ceremony is being held today, 12 October 2018, with a number of industry leaders in attendance, including Sunshine Coast Mayor Mark Jamieson, Visit Sunshine Coast CEO Simon Latchford and Member for Mount Ommaney Jess Pugh MP and AccorHotels vice president operations QLD/NT Matt Young.

Shakespeare Property Group CEO and executive director Yak Yong Quek says the “much-needed facility” will help the region attract more business events opportunities.

“Our vision for continued development and investment in Queensland – not least of all here on the Sunshine Coast – is to create superior conference and accommodation options that supports overall economic and cultural growth for the communities we operate in,” he says.

“We are confident that further investment in infrastructure such as this will increase the capacity for the Sunshine Coast to attract significant events, conferences and exhibitions, with potential to cater to the domestic and international travel markets.”

The centre is part of Shakespeare Property Group’s plans to invest a total $10 million in upgrades to the Novotel Twin Waters Resort over the next couple of years.

The group has revealed the convention centre will be connected to the Wandiny Pavillion, an existing conference space located at the resort, bringing Novotel’s total convention capacity to 3400 people.

AccorHotels has been announced as the preferred operator for the new centre.

“We look forward to continuing our successful partnership with Shakespeare Property Group with the management of the centre,” says AccorHotels’ Matt Young.

“We are confident that this new convention facility, supported by our strong network of hotels in Queensland’s South East and beyond, will drive visitor growth to the Sunshine Coast, create jobs, support local businesses and deliver broader economic benefits to the region as a whole.”

Visit Sunshine Coast CEO Simon Latchford, says the organisation is excited by Shakespeare Property Group’s involvement in the region.

“They have an excellent track record in identifying high-potential tourism assets, and the Novotel plays a key role in supporting the region’s leisure and conference business,” he says.

“We welcome their intentions to upgrade and expand the resort’s facilities, as it enjoys a desired location on the Sunshine Coast and can build on its reputation as one of Australia’s most popular resorts.”