A year after a deal was announced for a new Ottawa Congress Centre, the politicians made it all official with a signing ceremony Friday.
The deal is signed, and the federal and provincial money is in the bank. The next step is the selection of a contractor to build the new $160-million convention centre.
Once the contract is awarded, the current building will be torn down.
"We have to alter the roadway in front of the Congress Centre, so that demolition can take place," said Jim Durrell, the centre's chair.
"It can't take place right now, obviously, with cars right in front of the building."
