City funding for downtown convention centre approved
Posted Jul 10, 2012 01:19:37 PM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Halifax Regional Municipality councilors have said ‘yes’ to a new downtown convention centre.
During a series of votes Tuesday afternoon, council approved its $56-million contribution to the project. HRM will also purchase the existing World Trade and Convention Centre for its book value should the Province not succeed in selling it for more before the new convention centre opens, and will contribute $40,000 toward the external marketing of the new convention centre.
“This is a proud moment for our municipality,” said Mayor Peter Kelly. “We’ve been waiting a long time to get all of the elements ready and it’s time to take the next step forward in getting this project started. Everyone who calls our municipality home has a stake in the success of this convention centre.”
The $164.2-million convention facility, to be cost-shared by three levels of government, will be part of a larger project to be known as Nova Centre to be developed by Rank Inc. The project includes a hotel, office tower, retail shops and restaurant space.
“This is a terrific investment, not only for our downtown and municipality, but for the province as well, which will all benefit from the economic spin-offs of a revitalized urban core,” said Mayor Kelly.
