The eagerly anticipated facility will be officially launched to the Rotorua community on Saturday evening with a free outdoor community concert followed on Sunday by a public open day with tours of the complex.

Rotorua mayor Kevin Winters says the project has captured the imagination of the local community right from the beginning.

“It has needed a bold and ambitious commitment but the enthusiasm and encouragement of Rotorua people has given the Rotorua District Council the confidence to proceed with building a modern, high quality, multi-purpose facility that will serve our community for many years to come. However we wouldn’t have got there without the unprecedented generosity of the Rotorua Trust, businesses, philanthropic organisations and ordinary Rotorua residents. As a result, the council has only needed to directly contribute a quarter of the project’s $28m funding.”

The free outdoor concert is being held on the sealed carpark at the Energy Events Centre from 5.30pm on Saturday, with an array of performances lined up.

Time               Event
5.30pm            BOP Blues Revue
6.30pm            Count Me In
7.20pm            FMX display
7.40pm            Midge Marsden
8.50pm            FMX display
9.00pm            Spacifix
11.45pm          Fireworks display

On Sunday from 10am to 2pm the interior of the Energy Events Centre complex is open to the public for viewing. Residents will be impressed by the sheer capacity of the multi-purpose facility as well as its stunning features which embody both traditional and contemporary Maori designs.  Guided tours, hosted by volunteers from the Sunrise Rotary Club, will be conducted on the half-hour and gold coin donations collected on the day will go the Life Education Trust.