There is the potential that SkyCity could close the SkyCity theatre. This latest news has shocked some in the theatre industry as it was reported that SkyCity was no longer taking bookings for the casino.

The understanding of this move is that the casino is looking to utilise the theatre space to house more pokies, in fact possibly up to 500 pokies. Reports say that architects have already been measuring up the space so should the green light be given for more pokies plans are in place to get the theatre ready for housing them as soon as possible.

While SkyCity has not confirmed that the theatre is closing and that this closure is for 500 pokies, they did come out and say:

“SkyCity is still considering its overall strategy for the theatre which is in need of some reinvestment,”

“For that reason we believe it would be inconsiderate to take bookings from groups for next year and then have to cancel them at a later date once we have determined that strategy.”

The Herald on Sunday waded into this row and has asked about why the architects have been involved in the possible changes at the theatre, here SkyCity said:

“Architects have drawn up a range of different high-level concepts for adjacent spaces over the past two years but our strategy for the theatre is still undecided.”

While there are many against the move by SkyCity to close the theatre there are also many calling for more pokies at the casino. SkyCity says that during peak times the casino can become overcrowded and the number of pokies is not high enough, others counter that there are always at least a couple of hundred pokie spare even during key times.

This is a row that is sure to bubble for quite a while and no one except SkyCity and the Government will know what is going on for a while to come.

The talk of the new SkyCity convention centre that the casino has been in talks with the government to build out of their own pocket has reached fever pitch. One would think this would be because the casino is shelling out $350 million of their own cash to build this centre for the good of the people, but this could not be further from the truth. People are actually talking about how much Sky City will make from the deal.

The idea behind the convention centre is one many see as admirable on the surface but a farce underneath. The reason for this is that the centre will ensure that Sky City can place another 500 pokies into its casino.

These pokies are said to make an average of $143,000 a year each, when you times this by 500 it makes for massive money. Once you take into account the running costs of the new convention centre you are left with $42 million a year in profit.

This profit will mean that it will only take some five years to return the cash spent on the convention centre in the first place and will increase profits from then on.

The government is happy with the new convention centre as it will ensure 1,000 new jobs for its construction and then permanent jobs in the centre there after, there is also a belief that it would help increase tourism in the area too.

Locals on the other hand are not so happy as they say it will only increase the prospect of gambling problems in the area further.

Only time will tell if the new convention centre will actually get the full go ahead or the peoples issues will be heard and listened too.