Funding unveiled for new $13 million arts centre in downtown Halifax

A proposed $13-million arts centre in downtown Halifax is closer to fruition, with the announcement of more than $10 million in federal and provincial funding.

The Link Performing Arts Centre would be an arts and culture hub at the former World Trade and Convention Centre across from Halifax City Hall and the Grand Parade.

The proposal includes an 1,800-person performance hall, a media production studio, two dance studios, a 160-seat cinema, a creative entrepreneurs centre, a storefront box office and a cafe on Argyle Street.

“It became obvious that this was something extremely important for the community,’’ Federal Heritage Minister Pablo Rodriguez told reporters Monday about the decision to fund the project.

Rodriguez appeared with his provincial counterpart Leo Glavine to make the funding announcement at a news conference.

Rodriguez said $4.5-million would come from the Canada Cultural Spaces Fund, while Glavine said the province would contribute $2.79 million. Another $2.9 million was also committed through the province’s Invest Nova Scotia Fund. Rodriguez said he believes the proposal of a “hub’’ has the potential to grow the arts within the city and province as a whole.

“The way it works in different cities is the interaction between the groups, between people from different fields — you can do magic with this.’’

Developer Armco Capital, which owns the property, has contributed more than $2 million for capital improvements, while the last piece of the funding puzzle is a $1-million commitment that is expected to be voted on by Halifax Regional Council on Tuesday.