Government reveals first Convention Centre cost forecast
Posted Oct 6, 2010 02:59:48 PM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
After lots of speculation the provincial government has confirmed details about the proposed downtown convention centre.
Although the cost to actually build the new convention centre is pegged at $159 million, which is a figure NDP back-bencher Howard Epstein leaked last week, the actual cost to taxpayers is much higher.
According to the presentation by transportation and infrastructure department spokesperson Jane Fraser, the cost will be amortized adding up to $10.2 million annually for 25 years, totaling a cost of $255 million.
With the $2.9 million worth of annual maintenance and operating costs added in, the project will cost taxpayers about $327 million over the next 25 years.
The project hinges on a contribution of $46 million dollars, with HRM and the province cost sharing the rest.
However, Minister Bill Estabrooks says he hasn’t yet talked to the federal government.
“I don’t have the go-ahead to make those discussions and get them underway,” says Estabrooks.
He says a decision about the project is still forthcoming from NDP cabinet, and when asked whether he supported it, he answered, “no comment”.
And yet the hour-long presentation hinted at the project go-ahead being a forgone conclusion.
“The proposed schedule would see a contract signed, so that would be the contract and requirements for the design construction as well as the operations of the facility, January 14th,” says Fraser.
Opposition party members say the tone of the presentation makes it obvious that the government has already made up its mind.
