Premier pitches mayor on buying old convention centre
Posted Oct 7, 2010 02:55:34 PM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
There’s still no decision on the proposed downtown convention centre, but Premier Darrell Dexter says he’s shopped the old convention centre building to HRM.
Although the NDP government hasn’t officially declared its support for the multi-million dollar facility, there’s other evidence suggesting the decision has been made.
Speaking with reporters about his rural constituents’ reaction to the project, Justice Minister Ross Landry let slip a little preview of the government’s thinking.
“I think the decision is a sound decision,” he said. “I think that the information that we’re basing it on and where we’re going as a province. It will have economic benefit throughout the province.”
Perhaps realizing his mistake, Landry followed up with, “We’ll wait and see what the decision is.”
Meanwhile Dexter says he met with Mayor Peter Kelly to officially hand over the convention centre documents – and says there was a discussion about the city taking over the existing convention centre on Argyle Street.
“I have suggested to him that the city of Halifax may wish to purchase that building,” says Dexter.
Dexter says they’d be looking for fair market value on the building and negotiations may involve a land swap.
Meanwhile, Mayor Peter Kelly says because the building is attached to the city-owned Metro Centre and it’s close to City Hall, it is something they’ll explore.
“We have to make sure we don’t lose any opportunities to correct operational issues with the Metro Centre,” says Kelly.
Kelly says the aging Metro Centre requires more washrooms, concessions areas and perhaps even more seating.
