Niagara Falls Convention Centre
| Niagara Falls Convention Centre | |
|---|---|
 Niagara Falls Convention Centre in 2024 | |
 | |
| Address | 6815 Stanley Avenue Niagara Falls, Ontario L2G 3Y9 |
| Owner | Non-Profit |
| Built | 2009-2011 |
| Opened | April 2011 |
| Renovated | 2018 |
Construction cost | $100 million CAD |
Theatre seating | 978 seats |
| Enclosed space | |
| • Total space | 300,000 sq ft (28,000 m2) |
| • Breakout/meeting | 15 meeting rooms |
| • Ballroom | 1 ballroom 16,955 sq ft (1,575.2 m2) total |
| Public transit access | WEGO Niagara Falls Visitor Transportation |
| Website | |
| www | |
The Niagara Falls Convention Centre is a convention centre located in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada, along Stanley Avenue and Dunn Street. It was previously known as the Scotiabank Convention Centre from 2011 to 2021 and was renamed after Scotiabank's naming rights expired.[1]
History
[edit]In 2007, a public-private partnership was formed to fund the project. Both the federal and provincial governments contributed $35 million each and the remaining one-third commitment came from private investors.[2] The Regional Municipality of Niagara provided the lease of land on which the facility was built for a nominal fee of $1 per year.[3][4] Construction on the two-storey building began on May 1, 2009.[5] The halfway point of construction was marked by a ceremony on April 30, 2010.[6] In 2015, a president for the convention centre was hired.[7] It was renamed the Niagara Falls Convention Centre in 2021 when Scotiabank's naming rights expired.[1] In 2022, the centre successfully underwent a certification process that marked it as being accessible to individuals with sensory issues.[8]
The convention centre often hosts large events that attract tourists from outside the city. Some examples of hosted events include the Canadian Cheer National Championships,[9] the Niagara Falls Comic Con,[10] and the 420 Expo.[11] The building has also been used as a film set location.[12] The convention centre was impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic in Ontario, as tourism to Niagara Falls dwindled and government restrictions were made on building capacity.[13] It was used as a mass vaccination site during the pandemic.[12]
In 2024, the venue was used for an event hosted by the Ford government.[14] Thousands of people stood outside the building to protest various policies.[15] In particular, his policies surrounding healthcare funding (leading to the closure of a hospital in Fort Erie)[14] and education funding were criticized. The protests lasted for two days, which was the duration of the event held at the convention centre.[16]
See also
[edit]- Scotiabank Arena
- Scotiabank Saddledome
- Meridian Centre – located in nearby St. Catharines
References
[edit]- ^ a b Langley, Alison. "New name for convention centre in Niagara Falls". Niagara Falls Review. Retrieved 14 September 2022.
- ^ "Convention centre growing in popularity". niagarafallsreview.com. 2017-06-19.
- ^ "Convention Centre would benefit all". Niagara This Week - St. Catharines. March 28, 2007. Retrieved 22 April 2020.
- ^ Forsyth, Paul (September 7, 2007). "Feds ante up $35m for convention centre". Niagara This Week - St. Catharines. Retrieved 22 April 2020.
- ^ "Construction continues on Niagara Falls convention centre". Daily Commercial News. August 28, 2009. Retrieved 22 April 2020.
- ^ Henschel, Steve (May 4, 2010). "Convention Centre halfway done". Niagara This Week - St. Catharines. Retrieved 22 April 2020.
- ^ Hutton, Richard. "A new – but familiar – face to take helm at convention centre". Niagara This Week. Retrieved 14 August 2024.
- ^ Spiteri, Ray. "Niagara Falls Convention Centre recognized for commitment to making facility more accessible, inclusive to guests". Niagara Falls Review. Retrieved 14 August 2024.
- ^ Pruden, Jana. "Three days inside the sparkly, extremely hard-core world of Canadian cheerleading". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved 12 May 2024.
- ^ Langley, Alison. "Pop culture fans flock to convention centre for Niagara Falls Comic Con". Niagara Falls Review. Retrieved 12 May 2024.
- ^ Forsyth, Paul. "Niagara Falls 420 Expo a celebration of cannabis culture and community". Niagara This Week. Retrieved 12 May 2024.
- ^ a b "Goodbye Scotiabank, hello Niagara Falls: convention centre naming rights expire". Niagara This Week. Retrieved 12 May 2024.
- ^ Mitchell, Don. "Niagara Falls New Year's Eve concert shelved due to new COVID-19 restrictions". Global News. Retrieved 12 May 2024.
- ^ a b Langely, Alison. "Hundreds rally outside PC policy conference in Niagara Falls". Niagara Falls Review. Retrieved 14 August 2024.
- ^ Spiteri, Ray. "Thousands gather in Niagara Falls to protest Ontario PC government". Niagara Falls Review. Retrieved 14 August 2024.
- ^ Carvalho, Veronica. "Protests outside PC Convention continue for second day". CHCH. Retrieved 14 August 2024.