AusLeisure

The Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority (SHFA) intends to keep the doors of the Sydney Entertainment Centre (SEC) open, following its announcement that it has terminated its lease with the centre's operator, Arena Management.

Authority Chief Executive Robert Domm explained "the entertainment centre has hosted some of the greatest local and international acts for more than 25 years, and that will not change.

"Our number one priority is to keep the SEC's doors open and ensure ticketholders get to see their shows.

"Given Arena's lease breaches, and the company being placed under voluntary administration and receivership, the Authority had no other option than to terminate Arena's lease.

"The Authority has acted to rescue this important public asset.

"The Authority has requested cooperation from Arena's receivers and will be working with promoters and service providers to ensure that any issues are resolved and there is a smooth transition of management to the Authority."

SHFA has also announced that the Darling Harbour Convention and Exhibition Centre (DHCE) will assist in managing the SEC for the foreseeable future while ticketing arrangements for the SEC have been guaranteed as a result of an agreement struck with Ticketmaster.

The Authority has also been in contact with the various promoters for upcoming events and is finalising arrangements to enable these to proceed as planned.

Ticketmaster Executive Chairman Maria O'Connor explained "we are delighted to be working with the Foreshore Authority in the interests of our customersâthe ticket holders."

O'Connor also confirmed that under the agreement with the Authority, Ticketmaster's ticket booking office at the SEC is, and will remain, open.

Domm added that "DHCE has successfully managed the Convention and Exhibition Centre for more than 15 years, and they will bring that event management expertise to the SEC."

Arena Management leased the SEC since November 1983. The current lease, which commenced in 2003, involved an initial term of five years, with a further two options of five years each.

31st July 2009 - ARENA MANAGEMENT ENTERS RECEIVERSHIP

6th July 2009 - AEG OGDEN NOT PROCEEDING WITH SEC ACQUISITION

22nd April 2009 - JACOBSEN LEAVES ARENA MANAGEMENT

Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.