Charlottetown’s Queen’s Wharf district will soon be home to the new $17.5 million Prince Edward Island Convention Centre thanks to funding from the Governments of Canada and Prince Edward Island. Minister of Fisheries and Oceans Gail Shea, on behalf of Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities Chuck Strahl; Premier Robert Ghiz; Charlottetown Area Development Corporation (CADC) Chair Dave McInnis; Chief Darlene Bernard and Chief Brian Francis representing the Mi’kmaq Confederacy of Prince Edward Island (MCPEI); and Charlottetown Mayor Clifford Lee were on hand today for the announcement.
“On behalf of my colleagues, Ministers Strahl and Ambrose, I am very pleased to announce this land transfer and funding agreement for the new PEI Convention Center,” said Hon Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans and Regional Minister for Prince Edward Island. “The construction of the Convention Center will create jobs; upon its completion this new facility will be an economic driver in our province.”
The Government of Canada will provide $8.5 million for the project through the Building Canada Fund while the Province will fund the remaining $9 million through Build PEI.
“This new convention centre will be the centrepiece of a major redevelopment here on Queen’s Wharf,” said Premier Ghiz. “It will be a boom to the Island’s tourism industry and will bring millions in revenue into the province. By opening up the water view on Queen’s Street, not only will the new building be an architectural highlight for Charlottetown, Islanders and visitors will enjoy the full historic, seaside character of our capital city.”
Steady progress is being made on the development of the site. So far, tenders have been called for the seawall and the demolition of existing buildings. More tenders will be offered in the coming weeks as the project begins to take shape.
Today also saw the signing of the land transfer agreement between the government of Canada and the province and between the province and CADC. MCPEI was an important partner in the land transfer agreement. Through MCPEI, the PEI Mi’kmaq now hold an option on a portion of the land for a possible future commercial development.
“Today is the culmination of much hard work and I believe it demonstrates how a positive partnership can lead to great things,” said Chief Darlene Bernard, Chief of Lennox Island and Co-Chair of MCPEI Board of Directors. “As equal partners, we were asked for our input and ideas which will bring opportunities to the Mi’kmaq citizens living on and off reserve.”
CADC will own the land and the building which will be managed and staffed by the Delta Prince Edward.
“CADC is proud to be part of this landmark development for the City of Charlottetown and the Province of PEI,” said David McInnis, Chair of CADC. “This fabulous addition to the city’s infrastructure will greatly enhance the province’s ability to attract more and larger conventions. The resulting economic spinoff will be of significant benefit to both the City and the Province.”
“The Convention Centre project will provide great benefits to our business community and our citizens as well,” said Charlottetown Mayor Clifford Lee. “We will grow our meetings and conventions sector and, at the same time, we will develop the Lower Queen Street area which will open up to our beautiful harbor.”
The new Prince Edward Island Convention Centre is expected to be complete in late 2012.
For more information on the Building Canada plan, visit http://www.buildingcanada.gc.ca or http://gov.pe.ca/go/infrastructure.
For more information on capital projects on Prince Edward Island, visit www.buildpei.ca