Funding has been agreed and construction is set to begin in March 2017 on the new £80million Convention Centre at the Celtic Manor Resort in Newport. It is scheduled to open in June 2019.

The Convention Centre will be capable of accommodating up to 5,000 delegates with a total floor space of about 280,000 sq-ft.

It will feature a 1,500-seat auditorium as well as a 43,000 sq-ft exhibition hall which is set to become the largest pillar-free ballroom in Europe, capable of hosting 2,400 people for a gala dinner.

Excavation has already begun on land adjacent to Celtic Manor Resort

Celtic Manor Resort chairman Sir Terry Matthews said: "This International Convention Centre will allow us to attract the biggest and most lucrative business events to Wales, as well as high-profile summits and party political conferences. ICC Wales will rival any convention facility in Europe and will act as a magnet for major events, bringing huge benefits to the Welsh economy."

Details: http://www.celtic-manor.com/blog/funding-agreed-to-build-new-icc-wales