By PAUL YANDALL
HAMILTON - Centre Place mall in Hamilton is to undergo a $10 million redevelopment that will transform it into the largest shopping complex in the Waikato.
The development will see the creation of 50 jobs during the construction phase of the project, and potentially dozens of more retail jobs
as the central city mall grows from 65 to 81 shops.
The owner of the complex, Kiwi Income Property Trust, said the development was due to be completed by October and would transform the mall into the largest undercover shopping centre in the Waikato.
Property developers Kiwi Income is also behind the retail development of Sylvia Park in Auckland.
Among the new facilities being proposed for Centre Place will be a mothers' room and a new 14,000 sq m international food court.
Centre Place development manager Nick Sharp said a new lifestyle precinct in the mall would be created to cater for adventure and sports shoppers.
"We want to put a lot more emphasis in the entertainment and leisure sectors," he said.
"As well as enhancing the image of the centre we'll be looking at introducing more lifestyle options, such as adventure and sports shops."
He said the selection of shops would also be made to take best advantage of the Village and Rialto cinema complexes already in the mall.
Gaylene Clark, chairwoman of the Hamilton central business district association, welcomed the project and said the move was particularly valuable in helping to bring shoppers back to the central city.
"This is going to be good for the public, especially if it means the introduction of a lot more different retailers."
She said the redevelopment would provide real competition to the popular outlying Chartwell shopping centre.
Hamilton Mayor Russ Rimmington said the $10 million investment from Kiwi Income was a vote of confidence in the city.
"This is great news and we're absolutely delighted," he said.
"They've decided to invest in the central business district of Hamilton and that shows that they've got confidence in the heart of the city."
Mr Rimmington said the council would work closely with the developers to ensure the project succeeded.
Local building firm Hawkins Construction will manage the project and the centre will remain open for business during construction.
