MONCTON, N.B. – The City of Moncton is looking at all it’s options when it comes to future of the Moncton Coliseum.
The coliseum is over 40 years old and in that time has hosted thousands of concerts, hockey games and trade shows. But it needs more seats and upgrades.
That’s why the city plans to build a new multi-million dollar events centre on Main Street.
Maurice Belliveau, General Manager of the city’s Department of Economic Development and Events, says the building still has strong potential as a trade show venue.
“The question is what do we do with it if we do build that downtown centre,” he said. “The key for us will be how do we allow the community in and other activities in the coliseum while still maintaining a tradeshow focus.”
Bill Vance has been hosting the World Wine and Food Expo at the Agrena Complex, alongside the Coliseum, since 2002.
He says it needs work.
“More attention to sound and sound quality is something we would love to have up there,” he said. “But it’s the only facility large enough in the province to host that kind of event.”
Although the Coliseum has it’s advantages, city officials are also considering building another multi-million dollar recreation centre in the city’s north end.
Both projects leave the Coliseum’s future up in the air. There have been many ideas brought up at city hall, from removing the seats, creating more floor space or demolishing the building.
In downtown Moncton, residents say the city should draw on the Coliseum’s strengh as a trade show centre.
“It would be good for cattle shows or car shows,” said Peter Hamilton. “They could always have an income into that building rather than destroy the building.”
Comments