The Winnipeg Convention Centre has unveiled its plan for the expansion and renovation of the existing facility in downtown Winnipeg.
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.
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.
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