This is the third and final installment of Margin’s thoughts on the convention centre.
That should be the opening premise here: a convention center in Niagara will never make enough money itself to warrant a $100 million investment based on sound economic planning. Yet it is being sold to the public as a business proposition capable of standing on its own.
So, now that all the pieces are in place to build a huge convention business here, let’s maximize the return to the taxpayers of Niagara.
My question is simply “Why not a little wider sharing of the risk and the rewards?â€
The time to build a true partnership between the people and this project is now.
Niagara has a unique opportunity to build a community-based economic development model that will be the envy of Canada — a Community Development Agreement that ensures that the benefits are truly spread throughout the region.
To secure widespread and unequivocal public support for this major development, a binding Community Development Agreement should be made immediately with the private proponents of the convention center.
Other parts in the series: