A state funded convention centre

The Herald reports:

Christchurch’s proposed Convention Centre has been a thorn in the city’s side for years, and even the man behind the contentious project, Christchurch Regeneration Minister Gerry Brownlee, admits there’s been a lot of public angst about the whole situation.

After years of negotiations, news that Crown-owned organisation Otakaro Limited will take up the mantel for the anchor project has been heralded by many as a step forward, with progress finally set to get underway.

Others are not so easily convinced.

Labour’s Canterbury spokesperson Megan Woods says the Government’s deal has fallen through with private company Plenary Conventions New Zealand, leaving the tax-payer to pick up the million-dollar bill again.

A state funded convention centre – what could go wrong!