"Party Central" for the Rugby World Cup at Queen's Wharf in Auckland will now be a $9 million, 160m temporary building which will service two cruise ships and cater for up to 8000 people.
The Government and Auckland Regional Council, which owns Queen's Wharf, confirmed their preferred option today following the decision of Auckland Mayors not to fund anything permanent by next year.
The structure, made of steel and glass and covered by architectural grade PVC, will be pulled down and re-sited after 2012.
Entertainment facilities and an international media lounge will be among the features.
The project is subject to consultation with the Historic Places Trust, but both ARC chairman Mike Lee and Rugby World Cup minister Murray McCully said they couldn't imagine retaining the sheds which Mr Lee described as "old, cheap and nasty".
The Government will fund the $9m structure, while the ARC will spend about $10m on wharf strengthening and re-sealing.
