/\ How dare you sir. How dare you.
New addition to TCU Place ready in May
Published: Friday, April 07, 2006
Conference delegates will replace construction workers when TCU Place completes its 54,000-square-foot expansion at the end of May.
And like the crescent wrench workers use, the venue will be versatile, adjustable and flexible for any occasion, from an intimate business meeting to major corporate conference.
The expansion doubles the cuant capacity of 50,000 square feet of banquet and meeting rooms. Without the added space, TCU Place executive director Rob Jones said it would have been impossible to attract the clients that have been scheduled this year.
Thanks to the upgrades, TCU Place will host the Canadian Chamber of Commerce annual general meeting, the International Association of Women Police and the Canadian bodybuilding championships, all on one weekend.
"To be able to do three events on a weekend is a first for us. That really helps our bottom line and helps drive people into Saskatoon, which is what we're trying to do," Jones said, adding in the past there would have been space for only one event.
With the expansion, Mayor Don Atchison sees the city as a competitive conference destination.
"It's going to offer us the ability to attract almost every major conference to the city of Saskatoon," he said. "It's also going to give us the opportunity to market the city of Saskatoon to the rest of Canada, North America and the world."
Sales staff are aiming to book two conferences at a time, ranging from 600 to 1,300 delegates each.
A winding staircase bordered by a wall of windows leads to the second floor Grand Salon. With high ceilings and plush carpet, the space is expected to attract first-class clients.
With its burgundy and taupe colour scheme, the salon will entertain up to 1,400 people or be split into five smaller rooms. The high ceilings and a rigging system can accommodate anything from stage lighting to extra speakers. For a cozy restaurant feel, pin lighting can be hung to light individual banquet tables.
On the ground floor, the Gallery Suite has the capacity to hold a crowd of 900 or be split into six separate spaces to hold 150 people each.
Conference space will include the province's first digitally controlled sound system. From a control room, technicians will manage the building's lighting, video and sound systems.
A connection to the Midtown Plaza from the main floor is also planned.
The $12-million expansion project started $400,000 over-budget, and only $200,000 more is expected to be added to the final bill. "In today's environment it's an excellent result and we're happy with that," Jones said.
His positive reaction to the extra cost could have something to do with this year's bottom line. With a net profit of $493,355 last year, TCU Place is celebrating its best financial result on record, up 139 per cent from 2004.
Despite his success, Jones is saying goodbye. "I've been here 12 years and there were some goals we had set forth in our strategic plan and I feel we've accomplished them at this time."
The board has recently begun looking for a replacement.
Jones said he doesn't have plans after his last day on Sept. 30. Until then, he'll continue with the vision of grandeur.
"That's our goal, that's what we want to be -- we want to be the convention centre for Saskatchewan."
Link
Prev
Linear Mode
