By Vicki Gilhula
If we build it, they may come.
A convention centre in Sudbury could create almost $6 million in direct spending and 200 jobs, in addition to $300,000 in city taxes, according to a consultant's study.
The news was music to the ears of city council members Thursday who voted to set up a task force to speed up the process of further investigating the potential for a convention centre.
There will also be a call for letters of interest from businesses regarding a partnership with the city to develop and operate it.
Oscar Poloni of KPMG told council a convention centre that could accommodate 1,000 delegates would be able to attract as many as 10 major conventions annually. It would also be able to handle smaller conventions.
It is estimated out-of-town convention delegates spend on average as much as $300 per day.
Currently there is no facility in Greater Sudbury that can accommodate more than 600 people for dinner. The largest hotel in the city can accommodate about 700 guests.
While large conventions have been held here, organizers are challenged by having to hold events in venues all over the city.
Last year, Scott Tournament of Heart organizers had to pitch a hospitality tent outside the Sudbury
Arena.
The new owners of City Centre, Vista Hospitality Company, approached council in August regarding a possible public/private partnership to convert vacant mall space into a convention centre. The mall is attached to the Ramada Inn.
The city commissioned KPMG to study the economic impact of a convention centre.
Councillor Austin Davey said other business interests as well as Vista will be invited to submit
proposals for a public/private deal.
"I am not committed to a downtown location. Let's be fair to the private sector," and give all bidders from across the city an opportunity, he said.
Councillor Ted Callaghan expressed concern a new development would hurt existing businesses.
But Poloni told council a convention centre using existing facilities, such as the Ramada Inn and vacant space at City Centre, would not have as much negative impact on existing hospitality businesses as would building a completely new complex.
Poloni said a convention complex is in keeping with Sudbury's evolution as the hub of northeastern Ontario. In particular, the study said, "The founding of a new medical school and expansion of the Sudbury Regional Hospital facility, would likely increase Greater Sudbury's ability to attract conventions focusing on the medical sector.
"Sudbury's position in the mining industry would attract national and international conventions relating to the mining industry."
