News Release

For Immediate Release
November 23, 2005

Upgrade Funding for Sydney’s Centre 200

Sydney, N.S. - The Honourable Mark Eyking, MP for Sydney-Victoria, on behalf of the Honourable Joseph McGuire, Minister responsible for Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation (ECBC) and the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) today announced Government of Canada funding for improvements to Centre 200.

Located in downtown Sydney, Centre 200 is Cape Breton's premier facility for conventions, trade shows, sporting events and major concerts. The funding will allow for crucial upgrades and improvements to be made to the building in order to continue providing key tourism and convention facilities within the Cape Breton Regional Municipality.  

MP Eyking fully supports the infrastructure improvements for the facility and notes the consequence of showcasing Cape Breton during major events, “Centre 200 has been a key component in the growth of events like Celtic Colours and the East Coast Music Awards. These events attract national and international visitors to our island. We want that to continue,” he says.

In addition to the size of the venue, its proximity to accommodations, restaurants and other services make it an attractive location. Centre 200 facility manager, Bill MacLellan, says the upgrades are essential to keep the building fully sustainable in a changing and competitive market. “If we want to continue to deliver top-notch service and stand out as a candidate for future business, we need modern tools and amenities.” The facility plays host to tradeshows and conventions on a fairly regular basis; therefore, funding will be used to enhance existing convention and tradeshow amenities, not related to the ice surface.

Under the ACOA Business development Program, Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation will contribute a $250,000 non-repayable loan towards the project. The Cape Breton Regional Municipality will also contribute $250,000. Upgrades are expected to commence at the end of November.

Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation offers programs in support of economic development initiatives and is responsible for delivering ACOA's programs on Cape Breton Island and in the Mulgrave area.

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FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Valérie Poulin
Director of Communications
Office of the Honourable Joseph McGuire
Minister of Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
Tel: (613) 941-7241

Office of the Honourable Mark Eyking
MP Sydney-Victoria
(902) 567-6275

Bill MacLellan
Centre 200 Facility Manager
Tel: (902) 564-2200

Jennifer Crocker
Communications
Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation
Tel: (902) 564-3917