Nova Centre opening delayed by a year, customers already booked

The Nova Centre complex in downtown Halifax is delayed nearly a year, a major setback for the citys new convention centre.

The half-billion-dollar development, which includes the new Halifax Convention Centre, a hotel, financial towers and retail space, is now expected to be substantially completed by Sept. 30, 2016.

An official opening for the $164-million convention centre, cost-shared by the three levels of government, is planned for January 2017.

SEE ALSO: TAYLOR: Nova Centre delay: Deja vu all over again

Joe Ramia, head of Argyle Developments Inc., attributed the setback to design changes following public consultation, the approval process and a tough construction season last winter.

The delay is a major headache for Trade Centre Ltd., an arms-length provincial Crown corporation that oversees the World Trade and Convention Centre and its successor.

Trade Centre event promoters have spent months pursuing top national and international conferences and have already booked 30 events for the new convention centre, more than half of which are scheduled for 2016.

The Crown corporation issued a news release last January underscoring the conferences it had booked for that year.

The Canadian Library Association was cited as one key event it had secured, bringing hundreds of delegates in May 2016. Valoree McKay, the associations executive director, said she was informed Thursday of the construction delays.

Were aware, and were considering our options, McKay said.

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Nova Centre opening delayed by a year, customers already booked