Akuko » Good Hope http://www.akuko.com A lifestyle blog, where ever you are in the world Tue, 10 Jan 2012 14:27:24 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1 The Good Hope Centre VS the CTICC http://www.akuko.com/the-good-hope-centre-vs-the-cticc/ http://www.akuko.com/the-good-hope-centre-vs-the-cticc/#comments Sun, 10 Aug 2008 09:12:54 +0000 Steven Norris http://www.akuko.com/?p=186 There was a battle fought in Cape Town a while back. However it was a silent one, with a clear winner which had emerged from the start. It was a battle of architecture, of new over old and the necessity for Cape Town to create its own business landmark of the 21st Century. I’m speaking about the CTICC [Cape Town International Convention Centre] versus the thirty year old Good Hope Centre. For three decades, the Good Hope centre had entertained conferences, weddings, concerts and more. The people of Cape Town rejoiced as world-class events were scheduled monthly at the Centre. Then in June 2003, the CTICC opened its doors to the public. Tied directly to the Westin Grand [it is located across the way opposite the main doors] the CTICC is a marvel of African engineering and has already been named one of the top convention centres in the world. Where does this leave the Good Hope Centre?

Stuck in a fairly run down area of Cape Town, The Good Hope Centre has been left to its own devices. Cape Town tours no longer highlight the once proud centre. The city of Cape Town has tried to keep its old warhorse running, but it is a constant reminder of the days of Apartheid and most international events stay far away, preferring to locate their shows on the sunny side of town. I recently attended an event at the Good Hope Centre and I was shocked to see the lack of maintenance that obviously had not been occurring. Tiles were broken and chipped; water dripped everywhere and the toilets had the appearance of a prison. Upkeep it seems is no longer the status quo.

I can see where Cape Town city council is coming from though. When 2010 Soccer world Cup hits, it’s going to hit hard. We can’t have tourist events happening all the way at the dirty end of Cape Town. We have a heritage to uphold. And it’s this proud heritage of being a city of transform and diversity that pressed the council to commission the CTICC. As a symbol of hope and new beginnings, it can’t be beat. However to leave the Good Hope centre wading in the cheap seats [with events such as world skipping rope championships] is a crime.

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