Road cash could be diverted to convention centre
By DAVENE JEFFREY Staff Reporter
Thu, Jan 20 - 4:54 AM
Bill Estabrooks wants Ottawa to commit $47 million from the Build Canada Fund to pay its portion of Halifax’s new convention centre.
"There’s some remaining funds in the Build Canada Fund," Estabrooks, the transportation and infrastructure renewal minister, said in an interview Wednesday evening.
He wrote a letter last week to Chuck Strahl, the federal infrastructure minister, suggesting that Nova Scotia’s share of the fund could be used to help build the $159-million convention centre in the downtown.
"I suggested to him that this is one of the ways (he) could help us finance that convention centre," said Estabrooks. He said the fund has contributed to the twinning of Highway 104.
Although paying for the national highway system is a tenet of the Build Canada Fund, Estabrooks said none of the road and bridge work outlined in the government’s five-year plan would be threatened or delayed by using money from the fund for the convention centre.
The province and Halifax regional council have both committed to funding the project and last month formally asked Ottawa to kick in $47 million.
Estabrooks said he didn’t know how much money is sitting in the fund for Nova Scotia but believes there’s enough to cover all or most of Ottawa’s share of the centre.
"I believe the convention centre would be a good use for the funds," Estabrooks said.
So far, Estabrooks has not heard back from Strahl.
"It’s time for Ottawa to step up," said Liberal Leader Stephen McNeil. "(The project) is good for the entire province."
Last week, developer Rank Inc. agreed to lock in its price for building the convention centre for a bit longer. The province has said that Rank agreed to a 90-day extension. Rank spokesman Joe Ramia has confirmed an extension but has not specified how long he will hold the price.
The centre, which would be built on the old site of the Halifax Herald, is to be part of a $500-million complex that would include a hotel, retail space and office tower.
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