Nova Scotia

Scott Ferguson named CEO of new Halifax Convention Centre

The McNeil government announced Scott Ferguson has been appointed president and CEO of the new Halifax Convention Centre when it opens in 2017.

Province, municipality select Trade Centre CEO for $184,222/year position

Scott Ferguson will be paid $184,222 a year to lead Halifax Convention Centre Corporation Limited. (CBC)

It will be same title, new building, for Trade Centre CEO Scott Ferguson.

On Monday, the McNeil government announced Ferguson has been appointed president and CEO of the new Halifax Convention Centre when it opens in 2017.

Ferguson will be paid $184,222 a year to lead Halifax Convention Centre Corporation Limited.

That is the same pay under his current contract as president and CEO of Trade Centre Limited, which will be replaced by the new convention centre. He was first appointed in 2009. His current three-year contract expires in September 2018.

The appointment was made on the same day the province announced a two-person board of directors for the Halifax Convention Centre Corporation. Acting Halifax chief administrative officer John Traves and the province's deputy business minister, Murray Coolican, were named.

The Convention Centre Act was proclaimed Monday. It allows for a four-member board of directors.

"The appointment of Mr. Ferguson ensures the new convention centre corporation will have the experience and continuity of leadership we need at this important time," Coolican said in a statement.

He said he expects the government, in partnership with Halifax, to announce a board of directors in the near future.

"This is an exciting milestone as we get ready to open and operate the new Halifax Convention Centre," Ferguson said in the government news release.

An artist's rendering of what the new convenction centre in Halifax would look like. (CBC)