The Halifax Convention Centre just opened its doors and it’s already costing the city far more than initial estimates. New financial figures are projecting that a planned $1.8-million shortfall in the city’s HCC reserve fund has now nearly doubled to $3.5-million. Worse still, a projected $6-million surplus after 10 years of convention centre operations has […]
Nova Centre
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Province wants extra $300,000 from HRM for new Convention Centre
The province wants HRM to reimburse it for $301,500 in transition costs for the new Halifax Convention Centre that it says was the municipality’s responsibility to pay. City staff, however, aren’t so sure about that. In a somewhat tautological statement to The Coast, finance manager Bruce Fisher says city hall is reviewing the bill’s validity. […]
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World-class convention centre “opens”
A still-unfinished Halifax Convention Centre hosted a grand opening for media and dignitaries Friday—nearly two years after it was supposed to be completed. As documented on social media, the convention centre’s interior is still lacking drywall in some areas. Several escalators are non-functioning and wires are sticking out from the walls. But despite the work in […]
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We didn’t start the (garbage) fire
Lorne Grabher, Jacques Dubé, Jamie Baillie walks away Street check data, Jimmy Melvin, rockets in Canso Robert Bjerke, Lady Drive Her, Sea Bridge floating on the water Cheryl Blossom, Donkin mine, Whitman says “negro” Saltwire buys out Transcon, women march on Washington Moonlight beats out La La Land, Matthew, Bill and Jad are canned David […]
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Nova Centre is just the latest in long line of big, bold failures
By virtually any measure the Nova Centre in downtown Halifax has already been a bad deal for the public. You can debate how bad it’s been, and you can wonder how we ended up in this mess, but we can all agree that it’s been bad. It’s also the latest in a long line of […]
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The Economy Shoe Shop’s been sold
“It’s bittersweet. I hate the idea of moving out, leaving this but as you know, I’m not making any money here,” says Economy Shoe Shop (1663 Argyle Street) owner Victor Syperek matter-of-factly of his decision to sell the iconic Halifax bar after 22 years on Argyle Street. He dropped the bomb that he was handing […]
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The Wooden Monkey files for more than $500,000 in statement of claim
The Wooden Monkey restaurant is “leading the march” in filing its claim with the Utility and Review Board, says lawyer Ray Wagner. Wagner is representing multiple downtown businesses in a lawsuit against the municipal, provincial and federal governments, the Halifax Convention Centre Corporation as well as Argyle Developments Inc. and its parent company Rank Incorporated. […]
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Nova Centre to open sometime between next Christmas and never
[Image-1] The downtown’s biggest suck will plague local businesses for another 12 months, at least. Construction on the Halifax Convention Centre won’t be complete until at least December, 2017. That’s roughly a two-year delay from original plans for a January, 2016 opening, which were subsequently pushed back to this September, and then again recently delayed […]
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So is the Nova Centre cursed, or what?
[Image-1] In its architectural renderings, the Nova Centre exists on a perpetually cloudy day. Billowing, white masses of clouds hang in the glass windows, as if reflecting the heavens into the city. The depiction of the convention centre’s interior along its Grafton Street promenade is filled with carnival-esque buskers and stock image patrons strolling by as […]
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Gottingen Street scores The Foggy Goggle
After eight years hanging its oversized pair of goggles at 1667 Argyle Street, deep-fryer-free pub, The Foggy Goggle, has announced it will be pouring beers from Gottingen Street come early 2017. The Goggle’s owners Natalie Dugie and Julie Streight shared via social media today that their downtown location will sign off on December 20 to […]
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Video report: Nova Centre vs. its downtown neighbours
The new convention centre is supposed to be a gleaming jewel that attracts people from all over the world to downtown Halifax. Exactly like the Central Library…if the library was closed most of the time; less architecturally interesting; intended for use only by private groups the likes of orthodontists and data miners; put multiple levels […]
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Economy Shoe Shop joins legal action against the Nova Centre
[Image-1] It’s now five downtown businesses that are taking legal action against the government over lost revenues from the Nova Centre’s construction. Wagners law firm announced on Monday that the Economy Shoe Shop on Argyle Street will join the Carleton, Wooden Monkey, Attica and Biscuit General Store in seeking compensation for losses suffered due to […]