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Exhibition Park disappointed with proposed multi-use convention centre

Mar 28, 2017 | 4:38 PM

LETHBRIDGE – The Lethbridge Chamber of Commerce suggests a multi-use convention/arts centre could be an influential economic driver, but that idea is being met with some push back.
 
In 2010, the City commissioned Ferrari Westwood Babits Architects for a study into a new performing arts centre. That study determined “existing facilities were inadequate for current day performances both in venue design and availability,” and provided recommendations, a business plan, building program and schematic design.
 
According to the City, the nearly $60-million project is slated to feature a 950 seat performing arts theatre, and “meet the performance requirements of theatre, music and dance artists and promoters.”
 
It was part of the 2014-2023 Capital Improvement Program (CIP), with the City of Lethbridge conditionally committing $10-million for the upcoming 2018-2027 CIP. That money will be granted if other sources fund the remaining $50-million.
 
Exhibition Park has also been working for a number of years to expand its facilities. Phase one would be to construct a 250,000-sq foot trade and convention centre, and an agriplex with seating capacity for up to 5,000 people as the second phase.
 
This was another project included in the 2014-2023 CIP. The City has conditionally committed $25-million towards the more than $91-million total price tag in the 2018 program.
 
“The original cost would have been $60-Million for phase one, but the cost now will be somewhat less than that,” Rudy Friesen, Exhibition Park General Manager, previously noted in an interview with Lethbridge News Now.
 
But Harry Gross, president of the Lethbridge Chamber of Commerce board of directors, suggested that one, flexible multi-use convention centre, art gallery and performing arts centre would be a bigger economic driver for the region.
 
Gross presented the idea to City Council on Monday (Mar. 27). He made a request that they consider the integrated project as a high priority in the CIP, and to locate it in an area that would attract plenty of event planners and within walking distance of hotels, restaurants, shopping, entertainment, cultural locations, civic facilities, highways and the local airport.
 
The presentation stemmed from the fact that individual convention and arts centres in smaller cities can face hefty fiscal challenges, typically operating at a loss.
 
Gross went on to explain that one facility that integrates all three projects could be used by multiple business sectors as well as the arts community, be more competitive attracting art conventions, promote cross-promotion and provide operational savings.
 
The Chamber did speak with Exhibition Park before Monday’s presentation, but the proposal seems to have struck a nerve.
 
“We expressed to them during that meeting that we were disappointed in their position,” Friesen told local media on Tuesday (Mar. 28).
 
“Since 2009, it’s (the expansion) been a community effort, including involvement by the Chamber to come to the position where we are. So, for them to take kind of a 90-degree turn is — like I said — disappointing for our organization.”
 
He went on to say that the development is long overdue, with convention space desperately needed in Lethbridge to keep up with demand. Earlier in March, the Ag Expo alone turned away 47 businesses — which meant $368,000 in lost revenue — simply because there wasn’t enough space for them to set up shop.
 
Friesen added that the plan has already been vetted, with more than $10-million put into it at this point.
 
“We’re going to council next week to ask for some money to get to shovel-ready, so that when money does come we’re ready to develop.”
 
At this time, the Chamber has not put forward any plans or number figures for the proposed centre for consideration in the upcoming CIP debated, scheduled for mid-May.