Malta Independent

Mediterran­ean Conference Centre getting a €10 million facelift fort its 40th Anniversar­y

- ■ Giulia Magri

While celebratin­g its 40th anniversar­y, this year the Mediterran­ean Conference Centre will see numerous redevelopm­ents with a €10 million investment, Tourism Minister Konrad Mizzi announced yesterday.

Mizzi, who took part in the launch of the series of events and projects which will take part in the commemorat­ion of the 40th anniversar­y of the MCC, said that Malta is currently undergoing a major transforma­tion and that MCC is a project in this transforma­tion.

Mizzi said that the MCC contribute­s to numerous local and internatio­nal events, and that the future vision of the centre is to evolve into a venue of high world class events. The UNESCO World Heritage Site will be receiving a €10 million investment through European Funds to redevelop and reinvest the centre. Through means of such funds and modern technology, as of May the MCC will have a premium outdoor venue which will be located on the roof terrace, which is currently one of the developmen­t projects. Mizzi said that he hopes to see the MCC develop into a multipurpo­se conference centre, a place where both business, commercial and cultural events can take place.

MCC CEO Pierre Fenech said that the Mediterran­ean Conference Centre opened its doors on 11 February 1979 and that in 2019 will see the centre go through numerous renovation­s, particular­ly redevelopm­ent on the roof and “water tank” room.

Fenech explained how “the old air conditione­rs have been removed and replaced with new ones, which reduce visual impact and noise pollution.” He said that the roof will make an excellent venue for outdoor events and conference­s during the spring and summer months, and that if the weather drasticall­y changes, there is a back-up plan to be able to go inside the MCC and continue the event in there.

Fenech also explained the developmen­t of the water tank room, which during the British period was used as storage for water. He said that the room is going through a full renovation, with new facilities, flooring, lighting and additional emergency exit.

Through new means of technology and augmented reality the MCC is currently working on the opening of a virtual reality museum, re-telling the history of the Sacra Infermeria and its adaptation to the Maltese needs throughout the past.

 ?? Photos: Alenka Falzon ??
Photos: Alenka Falzon
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