New Zealand's largest all-weather indoor entertainment centre to be built in Rotorua

Construction is scheduled to begin in January on a new $15 million family entertainment centre development in Rotorua - which is expected to attract an estimated 200,000 visitors each year.

In addition to the planned 6290 metre² FEC, sites for between 12 and 15 convenience retail outlets will also be constructed.

Introducing the development, Paul Sanford of NAI Harcourts, Rotorua stated “the design concept envisages these spaces will be occupied by the likes of a high-end niche supermarket, a service station, fast food restaurant, upmarket gym, medical and dental suites, a pharmacy and specialty food outlets.”

The Te Ngae Rd site has about 11,000 metre² of current buildings of which 6000 metre² is now being demolished leaving one building that will have a substantial 2.5 million dollar refurbishment and extension for conversion into FEC.

The development, managed by Rotorua-based Holmes Group, will cover a land area of 2.7 hectares on Te Ngae Road (SH30) which constitutes the city's main route from Rotorua to Tauranga. It is located opposite Lynmore Primary School and is a short drive from the inner city, Rotorua Airport and the popular Whakarewarewa Forest.

Entertainment centre tenants already confirmed include: Strike Zone Tenpin Bowling, Megazone Laser Tag, Dialled Indoor Tramp Parks - a state of the art trampoline arena, TimeZone Coin Cascade and Chipmunks Playland & Cafe.

Strike Zone, which is owned by New Zealand's ten-pin bowling head coach Adrian Judd, will relocate to Lynmore Junction from its current facility in Fenton Park, while all other attractions will be new additions to Rotorua.

Holmes Group Managing Directo Ryan Holmes stated “we expect the entertainment centre will become a major Rotorua tourist destination in its own right.

"It will be one of the largest of its kind in New Zealand to provide a broad range of interactive activities all under one roof."

Holmes says the exterior of the entertainment centre, that will dominate the eastern end of the development, has been designed with "a grotto-like entrance" to build anticipation and excitement - visually promising plenty of fun and action inside with images of dazzling laser beams capturing the attention of the visitors.

He added "Megazone is promising to create a new and exhilarating laser maze together with one of the best laser tag adventure courses in the country, filled with theatrical mist, music and special lighting effects.

“Dialled Indoor Tramp Parks are known for their extensive trampoline facilities but they will also build a 'Ninja Warrior' obstacle course at Lynmore Junction, plus ramps and sponge pits suitable for mountain and jump bikes."

Holmes says Rotorua is a world-class mountain biking destination so Dialled is looking to include an indoor mountain-bike course too if space permits.

Holmes says Rotorua's economy is surging ahead at present and the Lynmore Junction development will provide plenty of construction work and long-term job opportunities for local residents.

"The city achieved New Zealand's top spot for economic growth in the last quarter according to Wellington-based economic research company Infometrics.

Artist's impressions of the planned new FEC in Rotorua.

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