The Province of Manitoba is distributing this release on behalf of the governments of Canada and Manitoba, the City of Winnipeg and the Winnipeg Convention Centre.
WINNIPEG - The Governments of Canada, Manitoba and Winnipeg announced today their partnership to support the expansion and renovation of the Winnipeg Convention Centre.
The total cost of the project is estimated to be over $180 million. Under the Building Canada Fund - Major Infrastructure Component, the Government of Canada is setting aside up to one-third of total eligible costs, to a maximum federal contribution of $46,646,667, to help realize this project. The Province of Manitoba is contributing up to $51 million and the same amount is provided by the City of Winnipeg. The balance of funding will be provided from new incremental property tax revenues from an integrated hotel and commercial development adjacent to the Winnipeg Convention Centre, as well as additional revenue from the Winnipeg Convention Centre.
"With Manitoba booming and the revitalization of downtown Winnipeg gaining momentum, the time has come to expand one of our most important places for hosting large events," said Premier Greg Selinger. "The renewed Winnipeg Convention Centre will be modernized and expanded to nearly twice its current size. This will help us attract the best local, national and international events, while maximizing the economic opportunities that arise from new attractions including the Canadian Museum for Human Rights."
"Our government is committed to investing in projects that create jobs while promoting economic growth, tourism and business opportunities in Winnipeg, in Manitoba and throughout the country," said the Honourable Steven Fletcher, Minister of State (Transport) and Member of Parliament for Charleswood-St. James-Assiniboia. "Since 1975, the Winnipeg Convention Centre has been an important location for meetings, exhibitions and banquets, and our government is proud to contribute to its renovation and expansion."
The project will significantly expand and renovate the existing 160,000-square-foot facility in the City's downtown, enabling the Centre to remain competitive within the Canadian convention centre market.
"It's exciting to see the City's vision of the Winnipeg Convention Centre realized. As an integral part of Winnipeg's downtown, located within the new Sports, Hospitality and Entertainment District (SHED), an expanded Convention Centre will draw even more business and community events to our City," said Winnipeg Mayor Sam Katz. "This project is another example of governments and the private sector working together to further develop Winnipeg's downtown."
"We're pleased that all three levels of government are supporting the Winnipeg Convention Centre as we embark on our next chapter of development," said Rennie Zegalski, past Chairman of the Board, Winnipeg Convention Centre. "Their commitment to our expansion sends a positive message to the citizens of Winnipeg and is a testament to their support of Winnipeg as a first-class meeting and convention destination."
The Winnipeg Convention Centre will double in size and extend south over York Avenue onto the existing surface parking lot. The new facility will include multi-purpose divisible space, additional underground parking and main floor public assembly space. The third floor will feature new exhibit space that will connect to the existing building and create over 147,000 sq. ft. of contiguous, pillarless trade and consumer show space.
Federal funding is conditional upon the completion of a federal review of the project and environmental assessments, the requirements for Aboriginal consultations being met, and the signing of a contribution agreement. If required, recommendations under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act must also be implemented.
Investing in infrastructure is a key part of the Government of Canada's plan to create jobs, generate economic growth and ensure long-term prosperity. Over the course of the summer, the federal government will be engaging provinces, territories and stakeholders in a series of roundtables to develop a new long-term infrastructure plan. This plan will focus on investments that support job creation and economic growth, while building strong, prosperous communities across the country. In addition, the Government of Canada will hold a roundtable with national stakeholders and representatives of the private sector at the end of the summer. Working together to develop this plan will provide new opportunities for all orders of government and the private sector to build partnerships to improve public infrastructure in Canada.