PROPERTY NEWS

In its determined drive to boost tourism and attract more investors to the state, the Ondo State Government last Monday performed the ground breaking ceremony of a N1.5 billion International Cultural and Events Centre (The Dome) at Alagbaka, Akure.The project, which is expected to be completed in five months, sits atop a 34-hectare land space.

The Ondo State Governor, Dr.Olusegun Mimiko, stated this in an address he delivered at the ceremony.

According to him, the need for the construction of the centre became imperative as a result of the unsuitability of the banquet hall inherited from the past administration in addition to its proximity to an office complex, which disrupts office duties. He added that the conceptualisation of the centre was also informed by its small size.

Mimiko pointed out, that there was an acute need for a much bigger hall, than the existing ones with limited capacity. He said that from the perspective of commercially exploring dominant trend these days for ultra-modern events packaging, the Dome should be a veritable source of revenue to international, federal agencies, professional bodies, non-governmental organisations, private concerns, among others.

The governor said that apart from the Dome’s appealing aesthetics, it would be constructed with the latest in building technology called ‘valmex mehatop F fabric’, and it is expected to sit 2500 people, have a spacious car park and boast a general ambience redolent of the new Ondo State.

In his remarks, the Chairman of Dream Media Network Limited, consultant to the project, Mr.Modupe Adetokunbo, said that by the time it is completed, first time visitors to the state would have no other choice but to come again and again to behold the masterpiece, adding that the location of the Dome would certainly bring about enormous economic activity to the residents of the area and beyond.

According to him, the Dome will have fabric wall instead of the conventional brick. He was quick to add, that a major attraction of the project would be the complimentary facilities that would be put in place.

‘These’ he continued would include a five-star hotel, a massive car park a head room of about five feet in height, which is equal to a five-storey building, thereby making the Dome one of the best in the world.

The TPT helmsman said that ‘Our frame structure and super-durable fabric come with 14 years warranty. They maintain their unique appearance even under extreme climate conditions and over long periods".

He further said that Freedomes structures and fabrics meet very restrictive safety regulations in terms of wind, rain, high temperatures and fire resistance.

Explaining further, Tokunbo said that the chosen fabric - Valmex® Mehatop F is a heavy-duty membrane made of multi-layer composite material that can last for many years.

Some of the characteristics of this fabric include: Resistance against high temperatures and weather impact water and dirt resistance and as a result, lower degree of contamination, reduced penetration of fungi and pest into the membrane, proved cleaning characteristics.

He said that s the proven PVDF paint on the outside and has two layers of acrylic paint on the inside.

According to him, it is often used to partially cover large permanent structures such as football stadiums, adding that Freedome will have plywood flooring for pedestrian use of 815m2 total area.

He also said that the Dome would last for 50 years no matter the harsh weather condition that it might be subjected to, adding that this in itself, makes the Dome a very unique edifice

Adetokunbo said that four companies from Canada, Germany, Poland and China will be involved in the construction of the Dome.

He submitted that for such a massive project, the issue of maintenance was germane to the sustainability of the Dome; therefore, its maintenance would be outsourced.

According to him, the initial maintenance would be undertaken by foreigners who after some time, would hand over the maintenance to indigenes after having been trained by the foreigners.

He pointed out, that this development would definitely empower the locals and thereby enhance their economic potential.