Dozens of events scheduled at Halifax Nova Centre prior to opening

The new convention centre in Halifax has reached its full height.

The new $500-million convention centre in downtown Halifax has already booked 50 national and international events before its even opened its doors.

Scott Ferguson, president and CEO of Trade Centre Limited, says the one million square-foot building will see more than 40,000 visitors, generating an estimated $59 million in direct spending.

He says they’ve already reached their first-year projections.

We are securing strategic events that will create new opportunities for our local experts to build connections and showcase Nova Scotia's strengths in business, research and academia," said Ferguson.

The convention centre will also act as a public space, financial tower, hotel, and parking garage.

"We have the convention centre on one side, a hotel, and parking off to the side, but we're going to have this place for citizens to come and mingle and mix and entertain themselves," said Ferguson.

A vast reception and entrance area leads to a dark cavern that will become a brightly lit exhibition hall of 25,000 feet.

Ferguson says they’re proud of its flexibility.

“It will have the ability to host national, international conferences in the 2,000 plus range, but we'll also be able to very comfortably host multiple conferences that are in the hundreds," he said.

Contractors say the building was designed to incorporate Nova Scotia culture, history, arts and innovation.

"It has been our pleasure to work with the Halifax Convention Centre team to build a top-quality facility with all of the features a modern convention goer expects," said Joe Ramia, president and CEO of Argyle Developments Inc. "This convention centre will be competitive with leading facilities across Canada and around the world."

Ramia says there’s been a push to find more tenants to join the BMO in the financial tower.

"We're very happy where we are with tenancies,” he said. “Hopefully, shortly before the fall, or during the fall, people will make their own announcements."

The number of workers on site will swell to 500 in June with hopes of having it open for business by March next year, when the first international conference is scheduled.

With files from CTV Atlantic’s Ron Shaw.