Ex ready to double size of convention centre

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This article was published 24/04/2019 (2557 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Red River Exhibition grounds may soon be a whirlwind of activity — and not one created by spinning midway rides such as Ferris wheels and giant whirligigs.

Construction is expected to begin soon to almost double the size of its 39,000-square-foot convention centre, Exhibition Place, the Red River Exhibition Association said.

Following closely is the development of its retail park, Westport Festival, which fronts Portage Avenue, and a business park.

“It took a long time, but all the pieces are starting to fit together,” said Garth Rogerson, exhibition association CEO. “When it’s done, it’s going to be amazing.”

While development plans have been on the books for many years, Rogerson said it’s been a challenge to move them to the construction stage.

“We’ve dropped $10 million on infrastructure underground so far (and roads). You have these plans, and then it’s, ‘Oh, wait a minute,’ and something else comes up.”

The exhibition centre is now awaiting approval of a $1.5-million upgrade to its underground water system when city council meets in May. City administration has already approved the project and it does not require civic money.

Approval will clear the way for the 30,000-sq.-ft. expansion of Exhibition Place at a cost of about $5 million, including $2 million for the water lines and other infrastructure. The underground water system will facilitate not just expansion of Exhibition Place, but the retail park and business park. The Ex is also partnering with Peguis First Nation, which wants to develop the property next door where it runs Assiniboia Downs.

“I really think these partnerships are the way to go. Business is very challenging today,” Rogerson said.

Exhibition Place’s expansion will allow it to host bigger events and more of them. It will allow the building to be divided into two and host events in tandem.

It’s currently booked for 230 days in 2019. For example, an industrial manufacturer booked the convention centre for 25 days for training dealers and mechanics. Some recent public shows include the Outdoor Show, the Cottage Show, and shows for snowmobiles, golf, tattoos, horses, gems and minerals and antique car swap meets. On the industrial side, Exhibition Place has hosted private dealer shows for Home Hardware, Arctic Co-op (a division of Northern Stores) and Enns Brothers farm equipment, as well as the annual Red River Exhibition.

Mistecture Architecture on Portage Avenue is putting together a redesign for the expanded Exhibition Place. Ultimately, the Ex is planning another expansion after this one to get the centre up to 140,000 sq. ft. with an L-shaped addition, Rogerson said.

Shindico is developing the retail park, Westport Festival, after purchasing 40 of the Ex’s 480 acres.

In addition to money from the sale to fund site development, the retail park will also drive more traffic to the area to the benefit of the Ex, Rogerson said.

As for the business park, its first tenant is the Dairy Farmers of Manitoba and the Ex is in talks with several other businesses and hopes to have an announcement soon. The business park “is almost like an incubator to help get businesses off the ground,” Rogerson said. The park specializes in agriculture, sport and tourism companies.

The Ex is also looking at expanding the 100-acre fairgrounds by another 20 acres.

bill.redekop@freepress.mb.ca