Published: 2010-03-24
New convention centre: Dexter takes right tack
DEBATE over a new convention centre for Halifax is heating up, as if in a convection oven. But Darrell Dexter is playing it cool. "I have said all along that whatever project comes forward has to be the right project," the premier told The Chronicle Herald in a recent interview. "The only thing people have seen so far is a kind of a visual representation of what a proposal might look like." We agree. An artist’s conception does not a concrete proposal make. Apart from how the view from the Citadel might be affected, there are many other factors to consider, not the least of which is economic viability. "We want to see the right business case," Mr. Dexter said. "The decision needs to be on the basis of fact and on an actual proposal. I mean, the convention centre has become a symbol rather than a reality." The province is waiting to examine the nuts and bolts of Rank Group’s proposal for the former Herald building site. Without provincial support, and an investment of tens of millions of dollars of taxpayers’ money, the project won’t get off the ground. On April 19, Infrastructure Renewal Minister Bill Estabrooks is expected to make a recommendation to cabinet on whether to back the development, which could cost at least $300 million, once you factor in private investment in an adjacent hotel, plus an office tower and retail space. The three levels of government are being tapped to kick in about one-third of the cost. HRM Mayor Peter Kelly is firmly in the camp of the convention-centre boosters, calling it a no-brainer because of the economic spinoffs the city stands to realize from increased visits. So far, Ottawa remains on the sidelines. In the public arena, a healthy debate has erupted between citizens who believe debt-ridden governments can ill afford to sink more money into a P3 project and those who believe such a project would be the perfect catalyst for Halifax’s renaissance after decades of construction stagnation downtown. Some analysts say the convention boosters are betting on the wrong horse — the industry is in decline, they claim, and will be further undermined by technology and climbing oil prices. Others argue Halifax is well-positioned to tap into the mid-sized convention market. Furthermore, it has a ready-made clientele in the plethora of national associations that hold annual meetings which are rotated around the country on a regular basis. The current World Trade and Convention Centre does not fit the bill because it is too small. On the other hand, one should not expect a new convention centre to completely defray its own bills, or operating costs, Mr. Dexter said. "Convention centres, they don’t carry themselves in any jurisdiction, so far as I know. The question is one of economic benefit that comes from having them. So we want to have a pretty close look at that," he said. "There is a lot of enthusiasm in Halifax for a new convention centre, and we feel it the same as everyone does. But … if you canvass the business community closely enough, they’ll say, ‘We just don’t want any project. We want a project that makes sense.’ " Mr. Dexter has hit the nail on the head. COMMENTS (11) POST YOUR COMMENT V wrote: Convention business is down around the planet and dropping, because of the ability to have online conferences and the expense. The province, the feds and city governments are broke (city trying to make up for 30 million this year alone). The 3 levels of government are looking at dropping another 100 million they don't have, when the convention center we have now sits empty most of the time, no logic there. If private industry thinks this is a great money maker they build it for themselves, with their own money. worldly wrote: Well it looks like Joe Ramia and Rank are definitely reading a little more commitment from the Premier then this editorial would indicate. He's started demolishing the block. Also, it would have been nice for the Premier to indicate to us what "the right proposal" looks like. Let's get this moving. justonevoice wrote: “Mr. Dexter has hit the nail on the head.” You may be right on this point, I for one don’t have enough useful information to make that determination. I will say this much though, if you are correct, it seems to be the only “nail” he can find lately let alone “hit on the head” because he seems to hit his “thumb” every time he talks about the expense scandal rocking this province during the past several months. Keith P. wrote: The so-called Save The View Coalition are not convention and meeting experts and it continues to baffle me why the Herald continues to give them a soapbox upon which to stand to distribute their misinformation. The proposal does not impinge on any viewplanes and the need for a new convention center is unquestionable. Halifax needs this. taob1 wrote: Today's edition contains yet another article from an industry insider in favor of the convention center. Evidently to bolster the "70 major conventions lost" myth the author refers to a political convention for a party out of existence years ago. At one point he refers to current planners being limited to Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver but later magically lauds Quebec City in the same breath as London and Paris. Mr. Dexter indicates that we should not expect the Convention Center to carry itself. The sames seems to be true for pulp mills, shipyards, railroads, ferry services, turbine plants etc.etc.. It would seem in Nova Scotia it is beyond the realm of possibility for the taxpayer to expect private industry to be just that. zephyr wrote: It may be instructive to look back at the public debate over the question of whether or not to construct the current facility. Was the public in favour? What were the arguments for and against? Was there opposition to public funds being accessed? Were any of those who were opposed then part of the opposition today? Were any of the then propnents part of the supporters today? Were the fears of those who were opposed borne out? Were the proponents looking to the future through rose coloured glasses? The Chronicle is in a good position to undertake such a retrospective. It would make interesting reading and one could expect would provide a useful framework for intelligent debate. kissinger wrote: ...I would like to know of the 70 venues that didn't come here...everyone speaks of them , but what kept them from coming here?...I'll bet the farm it had little to do with Halifax, and more to do with other already built venues offering free hotel rooms, or reduced convention fees, which is in effect is a subsidy. How much? Well in Boston the math works out to a public subsidy of about $250.00 for every convention attendee, and over 125.00 a night for every hotel room. Can you imagine spending $375.00 for every attendee at a convention!!! Mayor Kelly, whose city pays the highest taxes that I am aware of needs to check his multipliers. I'd rather give 100 million to the Dalhousie medical and engineering schools to make both the best in the world..attract international students and top notch professors and research dollars that bring high paying durable steady jobs and growth...now that would be an investment....however it is easier and more spectacular to bring the circus to town. porkey pig wrote: Full speed ahead, said the skipper of the Titanic we will show those ice bergs who is boss, sound familiar? fenwick16 wrote: As an ex-Haligonian living in Ontario, I know from speaking to many people who have visited Halifax and Nova Scotia, that Halifax will be a popular convention destination with the right facilities. Tourism is an important part of the Halifax and Nova Scotia economy, how can people oppose a facility that will not only bring additional tourists but specifically business tourists, some of whom will decide to invest in the city. macdonaldtomw wrote: Keith P, you are lying through your teeth. How can you possibly say that the proposed centre won't block any view planes? I personally don't really care that much, but please don't use the comments page as a forum to spread misinformation. In regards to the Chronicle Herald giving the Save the View Coalition a "soapbox"... The Herald is clearly a sad excuse for a balanced newspaper, and has time and again demonstrated that it is more interested in running stories and editorials and letters that support economic development rather than what the majority of people I know support: quality of life. I am as surprised as anyone that the Herald has given the Save the View Coalition any nod at all, and they should be commended for it! If only the trend were to continue. I cancelled my subscription to the Herald the day that the front page ran a huge colour photo of kids toboganning on Citadel Hill back in 2004. I had to flip to page 2 in order to find out that there was a major development on the illegal Iraq war. Shame. citylover wrote: The Dexter Government is wise to consider their options carefully when considering a $100 million investment. One can appreciate the view of the those inside and dependent on the convention industry. Allan Lynch's article, "We need a new convention centre" in today's paper provides some useful insight into the Canadian convention marketplace. But outside the industry, there are indicators that might give us pause not to be so optimistic. The key one is the future of the airline industry and airfares. One may be willing to fly from Calgary to Halifax for a convention when the fare is $1000 (all costs in) but what about when this fare reaches $3000 or $5000? Most reports I have seen about the future of air travel do not suggest there are questions of "if", only questions of "when". Is a big investment in a new convention centre a better one for the Province in the long run than, say, a similar sized investment in sustainable agriculture? It would be wonderful if the Provincial government would articulate a long term view of what we need to invest in to secure our future in a world challenged by both climate change and an end to cheap fossil fuels.
|
