Exhibition seeks council support for future plans
Video of plans for future convention centre, agriplex shown
In some form, they have been at the site since 1910.
But with its buildings being of varying age, Exhibition Park needs a large renovation to attract new activities.
Rudy Friesen, CEO of Exhibition Park, was at city council on Monday to show a video presentation and design documents for a proposed convention centre and agriplex. He is also seeking council assistance for a committee formation.
“We’re starting the work in earnest to spend the $2.2 million with the expectation that we’re going to have design documents at the end as per our request of council in the CIP, and as of our request of the province,” Friesen said.
“We’re moving in that direction and it would be great to have council involved in that committee. We’re looking forward to their positive response to our request.”
Coun. Joe Mauro asked about costs, specifically the $9.3-million funding for infrastructure maintenance. Friesen said that money was used to set up the next phase. The $2.2 million announced in 2018, $1.1 million from each the City and the Province, is to help get the project to tender.
Coun. Ryan Parker asked about requests from council, such as time commitment for a committee. He then added and amendment to table the motion for two weeks to the Oct. 1 meeting, which was voted all in favour.
Friesen said he was pleased at the
presentation and is hopeful council will keep supporting the project. He said Exhibition Park hosts 1,800 event days each year and that the “expectation is to grow significantly.”
“We’ve talked about this in varying degrees for a number of years,” Friesen said, adding people can view the conceptual plans at
www.exhibitionpark.ca/ and the video can be viewed at www.youtube.com/watch?v=WPQ3 Dr7VYP8&feature=youtu.be.
“And even though we can say that ‘in six or eight months, the facility might look somewhat different than what we’re talking about today,’ it gives people a sense of all kinds of things: the location on the site; what it can do; and the differences compared to our existing facility. This is an incredible opportunity. The excitement is really starting to build over what this can become and what it can mean for the community.”
Follow @NKuhlHerald on Twitter