It sounds like the Winnipeg Convention Centre's expansion plan is a done deal.

However, if you're a fiscally responsible politician out there wondering where your level of government is going to get its $54 million share (remember the City's "$7.4 billion infrastructure deficit" and provincial/federal deficits), here's an alternative.

To begin, scale back the expansion. Take a look at the diagram below and you can see what I mean.

The Convention Centre should start by issuing an expression of interest to see who would like to partner with it for an expansion for the green portion only (likely a hotel.) The pair can then pay for that expansion, building it in such a way that they could move forward with the red portion expansion in the future.

Here's why it's a win for all involved:

Convention Centre: gets a large expansion. It's not as big as it wants, but it expands its space quite a bit.
Hotel: gets access to the Convention Centre, downtown land, skywalk access, etc.
Taxpayer: $160 million in savings - plus interest costs!
Government: Each level frees up $60 million in savings and can put it towards its respective deficit.
Tourism: Larger convention centre, self explanatory
Politicians: Phew...just saved $54million!

By: Colin Craig
Posted: July 15, 2011
Topic: Manitoba

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