From Niagara This Week:
By Paul Forsyth
Niagara Falls
Sep 07, 2007
NIAGARA FALLS -- The federal government is committing up to $35 million toward a new $107-million convention and civic centre to be built in Niagara Falls, something supporters say will provide a huge shot in the arm for Niagara's economy and propel the region into tourism's big leagues.
Niagara Falls MP and federal justice minister Rob Nicholson made the announcement to about 100 dignitaries Wednesday at the Sheraton Fallsview Hotel near the brink of the Horseshoe Falls, directly across the street from where the massive, 130,000 square-foot facility will be built.
Dragan Matovic, who is heading up Niagara Convention and Civic Centre Inc., the private sector partner in the project, said shovels could be in the ground within 12 months and the centre could be open for business by 2010.
The federal funding, which comes after a $35 million commitment from the Province of Ontario in March to the public-private sector project, is subject to final approval by the federal government once a detailed agreement with the various parties is inked. The one-third commitment from the private sector is already in place.
Nicholson said MPs from across the country would love to have $35 million for a convention centre in their ridings. But he said he sold his cabinet colleagues on the Niagara project because Niagara Falls has the highway infrastructure to support it and is within 70 miles of three international airports, and because there will be significant spinoff benefits for all of Niagara.
"This will have a tremendous economic impact for our region," he said.
Matovic earlier this year said the project, which will include one-third private sector funding, could generate at least $93 million in new revenue for the local economy and it won't cost the city of Niagara Falls a cent.
Niagara's regional government recently agreed to lease a prime piece of real estate at the site to the city for a nominal fee of $1 a year, to provide parking for the estimated 500,000 people the centre is projected to attract annually.
Once here, those people will eat in local restaurants, shop in local stores, visit local attractions and fill empty hotel rooms, meaning Niagara Falls may realize its long-time dream of transforming itself from a so-called 'day tripper' attraction in which people visit for a few hours and then just leave, supporters say.
"This is the last piece of the puzzle," said Niagara Falls Mayor Ted Salci, who is certain it will create year-round employment in a city in which many jobs right now are seasonal. "This will be the start of an exciting new chapter for our city."
Nicholson said the centre will complement such things as Niagara Falls' booming hotel industry, which has seen many high-rise hotels built in recent years, and the casinos.
"It completes the package that we wanted to present to the public," he said. "It puts us in that (big) league."
There has been talk of a world-class convention centre in Niagara Falls for 30 years. Matovic said the federal government will get good value for its investment in terms of creating economic growth in Niagara.
"We're confident their investment will bear fruit," he said.
To ensure the City of Niagara Falls is not left holding the bag for any possible deficits or cost overruns in the new centre, Salci said he is in the midst of cobbling together a blue ribbon task force that will ensure local taxpayers are protected.
Salci also praised Nicholson for championing the project at the federal government level, citing his "relentless" support for the centre. He also said local businesses, through their business improvement areas, deserve praise for contributing to the project.
2 new hotels have recently been approved by city council:
A 30 Storey Hampton Inn
and a 30 storey addition to Marriott Courtyard
The new 4plex arena complex will start construction soon:
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