Public meetings set to launch on convention centre design
Posted Jul 23, 2012 05:45:30 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Halifax residents will get a chance to voice their ideas for the city’s new multi-million dollar convention centre tonight during the first in a series of public consultation sessions.
Rank Inc. has scuttled the original design for the Nova Centre and is preparing to start anew with public input from 10 public engagement sessions held across the province between now and November.
“When I talk to people about it some people love it,” Tim Merry told News 95.7. “Some people are horrified that it’s happening and some people don’t know that much about it. The first session, really, is for the public to offer their opinion on what’s going on.”
The convention centre has been a topic of considerable debate in Halifax, and people on the street tell News 95.7 they’re pleased to have the opportunity to attend the meetings.
“I will be going,” said Sammy, taking a break from his job on Argyle Street. “As a community I think we should be a part of the decision of what’s going to be in the centre. They’re doing a really good job by getting the community involved.”
Merry, who also headed up public consultations for HRM’s new library, explains the sessions will focus on several aspects of the design.
“There’s the general look and feel of the building,” he said. “There’s the streetscape that surrounds the building and there’s the public space that’s inside the building. We also get to have an impact on the nature of the convention centre. What is it, that when people are in that convention centre, we want to convey to them?”
Ahead of the meeting, residents in the downtown core had some specific ideas about what they’d like to see.
“It should be made out of glass, for sure,” said Joe. “Put some gardens in there. Make it look nice.”
“I’m about the old style,” said Mike on Prince Street. “Halifax is not a modern city. Greenspaces, I sit good with that.”
“I want to see something that reflects Halifax in general, the multicultural, the gay community, something that we can relate too,” said Sammy. “Not necessarily, 100 per cent for business or business related.”
Excavation at the Argyle Street site is expected to begin at the end of summer. The first design rendering of the $165 million convention centre is expected in October, before the second round of consultations.
Construction is scheduled to begin in spring 2013.
Tonight’s meeting begins at 7 p.m. at St. David’s Hall on Brunswick Street. Thursday’s meeting is at Pavilion 20.
