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New International Trade Centre in Regina, Sask. ready to greet ag visitors

Nov 09, 2017

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A decade of planning gives rise to largest interconnected complex in Canada

By Kate Ayers

Staff Reporter

Farms.com

After 10 years in the making, Regina’s International Trade Centre had its grand opening on Monday.

And it’s the largest interconnected event complex of its kind in the nation, according to Monday’s Regina Leader-Post article.

“This is a tremendous milestone day for us here at Evraz Place and for Agribition,” Mark Allan, president and CEO of Regina Exhibition Association Limited (REAL), said in the article.

The Government of Saskatchewan supported this project as Evraz Place makes major contributions to the province’s economy.

“The International Trade Centre will help ensure that Evraz Place remains a vibrant facility with the ability to attract significant agricultural events to the province,” Saskatchewan’s Ministry of Agriculture said to Farms.com in an email today.

The complex’s $37-million construction wrapped up just ahead of the 2017 Canadian Western Agribition, which will be the first event held in the facility, according to Monday’s CBC News article.

“The International Trade Centre replaces a number of old, outdated facilities that are generally single-use, such as livestock barns,” said the Ministry.

Covering 150,000 square feet, the centre will host various trade shows, conventions and Canada’s Farm Progress Show as well, said CBC.

“This is pretty exciting, you know: it’s a long time coming. The old facilities got pretty weak at the end,” Minister of Agriculture Lyle Stewart said to CBC. He added that industry members had hoped this (centre) would happen for a long time.

While agriculture is the focus, the new complex will have a wide range of uses.

“This is much bigger than agriculture. It will be a multi-purpose facility,” Mayor Michael Fougere said to CBC. “The sky is the limit.”

Saskatchewan collaborated with Growing Forward 2, the City of Regina, the Regina Hotels Association and Canadian Western Agribition to provide funding for the centre. The province values its partnerships that helped make the facility possible.

“The Government of Saskatchewan is proud to invest in the International Trade Centre as it will make significant contributions to our province’s strong and diverse economy, as well as local and national economies,” the Ministry explained.

Photo credit: http://www.evrazplace.com/facilities/international-trade-centre

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