City hopes new event centres can keep economy strong

Ottawa CE Centre

The City of Ottawa says they're counting on their two new convention and trade centres to help keep the local economy strong.

This weekend saw the Ottawa Convention Centre hosting the federal Liberal party convention, with the Ottawa International Motorcycle Show at the even newer CE Centre.

"I think Ottawa's just done itself proud, I've heard nothing but compliments about the facility," said Doug Ferguson of the convention centre.

"It's a really nice building, it really is impressive," said Catherine Lalonde at the CE Centre. "It's nice and open and airy, we really like it here."

More space means the city can feature more of these events, with thousands of people coming to spend in the capital.

"Probably in the range of $500 to $800 so far, but we're staying for a few more days so we'll see where that takes us," said Saskatchewan Liberal delegate Susanne Berg.

Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson said it's important for the local economy to keep these event centres full as the federal government looks to downsize.

"These two buildings are great investments," Watson said. "(They're a) good partnership with the other levels of government and they're helping to keep our economy going."

At the convention centre, the next big event is the NHL All-Star Weekend at the end of the month.

Watson said it's an example of what the city couldn't host before.

"We were told time and time again by the NHL ‘You've got to have a bigger facility to help with all the fanfare and all the ancillary activities that take place,'" he said.

There are 90 bookings at the 220,000 square foot CE Centre this year, with management saying the city couldn't host some of those events before.

"This will now allow us to compete with the larger cities, the Torontos, the Vancouvers, Montreals of the world," said CE Centre general manager Josh Zaret.

Next weekend the CE Centre is hosting both the Home and Renovation Show and the Lululemon warehouse sale.

With a report from CTV Ottawa's Karen Soloman