Site set to weather '97 storms

The venue that will play host to world leaders for the handover ceremony will soon become weathertight.

Workers are fitting the final roof sections on to the gull-shaped Convention and Exhibition Centre extension in Wan Chai.

'We are looking to be substantially weathertight by the end of February and we can then go forward with the final finishes and move through the building progressively, clearing it out and getting it ready,' project manager John Lockwood said.

He said everything was on schedule for completion in early June at the $4.8 billion futuristic complex.

The handover ceremony is to be held in the Grand Foyer, which has a curved 30-metre high glass wall drop, giving 180-degree harbour views.

The 22,595-square-foot foyer is joined to a 46,268 square-foot Grand Hall, which can seat up to 4,000 officials and visitors for the handover.