Federal funding in place for convention centre

The final funding piece is in place for a $17.5-million convention centre in Charlottetown, after the federal government agreed to pay for half the construction costs.

"We couldn't award any tenders or anything until this particular letter was signed and now it's signed and so work should be going out for tender right away," P.E.I.'s Public Works Minister Ron MacKinley said. "The construction project manager will be awarded for here and also we'll have the demolishing of the building right behind here around the first of March."

Existing office buildings will be torn down to make room for the convention centre, which will be connected to the Delta Prince Edward.

Staff at the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans will move from their present waterfront offices — on the site where the new centre will be built — and relocate temporarily to the C.G.I. building in Stratford.

The Canadian Coast Guard, which also occupies part of the building currently on the site, will be transferred to another building on the Charlottetown waterfront.

The 36,000-square-foot complex will be built to hold receptions for up to 3,000 people and dining events for up to 1,500.

The convention centre will be cost-shared by the federal and provincial governments and is expected to be completed by 2012.