WINNIPEG, MB - Today, the Winnipeg Convention Centre unveiled its plan for the expansion and renovation of the existing facility in downtown Winnipeg. The Honourable Greg Selinger, Premier of Manitoba, the Honourable Steven Fletcher, Minister of State (Transport) and Member of Parliament for Charleswood-St. James-Assiniboia, along with Sam Katz, Mayor of Winnipeg, and Klaus Lahr, President and CEO of the Winnipeg Convention Centre, were on hand for the event.
The expansion involves a new 340,000-square-foot addition built on a surface parking lot, immediately south of the existing 492,000-square-foot facility. The present facility will also receive significant structural and electrical upgrades. It is expected that the construction will start before the end of this year, with an anticipated opening before the end of 2015.
"Manitoba has a longstanding reputation as one of the best host cities in North America, and the expanded Winnipeg Convention Centre will help us continue to attract best local, national and international events," said Premier Selinger. "This project is fundamental to our ability to showcase our province and city to the world as new attractions near completion and the remarkable transformation of Winnipeg continues."
"The Winnipeg Convention Centre plays an extremely important role in promoting local business development in Winnipeg by hosting hundreds of meetings, conferences, and tradeshows each year," said Minister of State Fletcher. "Our Government is proud to provide this project with the support it needs so that the Winnipeg Convention Centre can continue to bring jobs to Winnipeg and promote economic growth in our community."
"From the moment convention delegates arrive in Winnipeg, they contribute to our economy, making use of transportation, restaurant, hotel and entertainment options within our city," said Mayor Sam Katz. "The newly expanded convention centre will give us an immediate boost in the rankings of national and international convention planners, helping Winnipeg stand out as a convention destination."
"We interviewed meeting and convention leaders, industry partners, customers, general public and internal staff to get their perception of our facility and Winnipeg," said Klaus Lahr, President & CEO, Winnipeg Convention Centre. "We listened to our stakeholders and while the facility has worked in the past, it's become evident that the growing list of requirements for large conventions and meetings are getting harder to accommodate. In the end, there was an overwhelming response by everyone to just get shovels in the ground."
Funding for this project was announced on June 25, 2012. Its total cost is estimated to be over $180 million. Federal funding for this project comes from the Building Canada Fund - Major Infrastructure Component, under which the Government of Canada is setting aside up to one-third of total eligible costs, to a maximum federal contribution of $46,646,667. The Province of Manitoba and City of Winnipeg are each contributing up to $51 million. The balance of funding will come from new incremental property tax revenues from an integrated hotel and commercial development adjacent to the Winnipeg Convention Centre, as well as additional revenue generated by the Winnipeg Convention Centre.