The first sod has been turned on the construc-tion site of an extension to the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC), paving the way for a development that will double the centre’s existing capacity and create several thousand jobs.

“The expansion, which is set to raise the global competitiveness of Cape Town as a premier world-class events destination, will double the centre’s existing capacity [through the addition of] 10 000 m2 of flexible space,” said CTICC chairperson Gary Fisher.

Leading up to its opening in 2017, the con-struction of CTICC East, which is across the road from the CTICC in the heart of the city, will require the use of 17 000 m3 of concrete, while 10 000 m2 of carpeting will be laid and 500 doors installed.

The main construction contractor is expected to start on-site work in February, with work scheduled for completion towards the end of 2016.

The CTICC, which opened its doors 11 years ago, has cumulatively contributed over R20-billion to the national gross domestic product (GDP) since its inception.

Western Cape Economic Opportunities Minister Alan Winde commented last week that the expansion would enable the CTICC to drive even more growth. He said he expected the convention centre to add another R22-billion to national GDP over the next five years.

Fisher pointed out that CTICC East was expected to create more than 3 000 direct and indirect sustainable jobs by 2020.

It will also result in more opportunities for small, medium-sized and microenterprises (SMMEs) to become part of the project, during the construction phase, as well as once CTICC East is up and running.

The empowerment framework recommends that around 54% of the project construction value be sourced from black economic empowerment and SMME suppliers, with half of all products and materials to be sourced within a 400 km radius of Cape Town.

“The CTICC already sustains around 7 000 jobs each year, and we expect this number to grow substantially as the work on CTICC East con-tinues, and we get closer to the opening of our new venue,” commented Fisher.

CTICC East would be a green building, with Fisher highlighting that the facility would incorporate energy and water efficiency measures.

Western Cape Premier Helen Zille, meanwhile, said the gains of the CTICC, which had been heavily criticised when its establishment was first proposed years ago, had been “extraordinary”.

“We were questioned on how we could justify investing in the city centre when there was so much poverty. But we believed building a convention centre would do more for the poor than anything else. Investment is not the enemy of the poor. It is one of the key catalysts.”

The CTICC East expansion is part of a broader precinct development, which is set to include a 40 000 m2 commercial and hotel development alongside a new hospital.