St. John's Convention Centre Grand Opening

The City of St. John’s in partnership with the Government of Canada, the provincial government of Newfoundland and Labrador and officials from St. John’s Sports and Entertainment officially opened the newly constructed St. John’s Convention Centre, valued at approximately $70 million.

“With the completion of the Convention Centre, we will now see some of the most sought after conventions in the country make their way to the historic City of St. John’s,” said Mayor Dennis O’Keefe. “The support from our Federal and Provincial Government partners in funding this one of a kind facility has been instrumental.  We look forward to hosting and entertaining delegates from around the world here in the heart of downtown.”

The Government of Canada and the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador have contributed a combined $28.8 million to the project through the Provincial-Territorial Base Fund, with the balance funded through the accommodation tax, a 4 per cent levy on rooms sold at hotels and bed and breakfasts.

“The newly expanded and renovated St. John’s Convention Centre is a wonderful example of public infrastructure that connects people, creates jobs and supports economic development,” said the Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities. “The Government of Canada has committed unprecedented federal support to provinces, territories and municipalities for public infrastructure. By working with our partners, we will build strong, inclusive and sustainable communities across the country."

The new centre features 10 meeting rooms, a state-of-the-art kitchen, a large ballroom and a junior ballroom with a combined capacity for up to 1,700 guests. Room names throughout the facility are dedicated to some of the most beloved public spaces in St.John’s: Bowring Park, Bannerman Park, Victoria Park, Pippy Park, Harbourside Park, Churchill Park, Wishingwell Park, and the Battery.

“The Provincial Government is very pleased to see the newly-expanded St. John’s Convention Centre open for business. This state-of-the-art facility will provide tremendous economic benefit to the city and the province as a whole,” said the Honourable Christopher Mitchelmore, Minister of Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development. “Not only will it attract major conferences and conventions, bringing in new visitors to St. John’s – which in turn will positively impact our tourism sector – it will also provide more opportunities for local residents and businesses to avail of the many new amenities and a variety of events the convention centre will offer.”

Local art is extensive throughout the interior and exterior of the Convention Centre. The Water Street façade features a large two-dimensional image titled ‘Aftermath (cracking up)’ created by Newfoundland-based painter and book artist Tara Bryan.

For more information about the new St. John’s Convention Centre visit sjcc.ca.

Media Contacts:
Kelly Maguire
Media Relations
City of St. John's
709-576-8491
kmaguire@stjohns.ca
 
Brook Simpson
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities
613-219-0149
Brook.Simpson@canada.ca
 
Tansy Mundon
Director of Communications
Department of Business, Tourism, 
Culture and Rural Development
Forestry and Agrifoods Agency
709-729-4570, 693-1865
tansymundon@gov.nl.ca   

Infrastructure Canada
613-960-9251
Toll free: 1-877-250-7154
media@infc.gc.ca
Twitter: @INFC_eng
Web: Infrastructure Canada