Halifax, province sign convention centre deal

The Halifax Regional Municipality and the Nova Scotia government have an agreement to push ahead for a new convention centre in downtown Halifax.

Mayor Peter Kelly and Nova Scotia Premier Rodney MacDonald signed a memorandum of understanding Monday, saying the two levels of government will work together to get Nova Centre up by 2013.

The convention centre is slated for Argyle Street, on the site of the former Chronicle Herald building. It would be three times the size of the World Trade and Convention Centre.

Officials say the 25-year-old facilities nearby aren't suitable for larger conferences.

MacDonald said between June and the end of February, Halifax lost the chance of hosting at least 60 international conferences because the facilities at the WTCC "didn't measure up" anymore.

"We lost out on over 86,000 room nights and we lost out on a total impact of $65 million to our economy," MacDonald said.

Kelly considers Nova Centre a critical project for downtown Halifax.

"Fredericton, Saint John, Moncton, Charlottetown all have new spaces coming. We need to be in the forefront, which we will be with this iconic building," Kelly said.

The convention centre is expected to cost between $100 million and $200 million. The developer behind the project, the Rank Group, is responsible for a second section that includes an 18-storey hotel and 14-storey office tower.

Detailed designs and a business plan are expected by the summer. After that, Rank Group will have to submit an official proposal to build the centre.

MacDonald said the federal government will be expected to help pay for Nova Centre.

"It's in our interest to take advantage of every dollar that's out there at the federal level," the premier said.