The Yukon Convention Bureau (YCB) says the process for a Request for Proposals (RFP) for a new convention centre in Whitehorse is open to creative proposals.

Tourism and Culture Minister John Streicker announced the RPF in the legislature last Monday.

According to the YCB, the RFP is being issued “to solicit proposals from proponents who own or control land in the Whitehorse area, and who are interested in designing, building, owning, maintaining, and operating a new Whitehorse Convention Centre under a long-term funding and operating agreement.”

The former convention centre, which had been the Lions swimming pools, was closed in 2022, as was the adjacent Coast High Country Inn.

Northern Vision Development has sold the former inn, which is undergoing extensive renovations to transform it into housing.

YCB vice-president Eddie Rideout noted in an interview last Tuesday that all the supporting infrastructure for the previous convention centre is in the former inn.

“So that was quite problematic to be able to run any events or trade shows there,” he said.

“All the kitchen, all the laundry, all the store, all those things were in the hotel side.

“From the convention bureau’s perspective, we’ve always felt that Whitehorse and Yukon could use a larger, more purpose-built facility than what the Coast High Country was providing at the time.

“That’s always been the pie in the sky of ‘Is it possible to get an actual legit, capital city facility here?’

“So when that got sold, we on the convention bureau started working towards, ‘is this something we can push for?’” Rideout added.

“Government put out that request for expression of interest in the fall, which we were very excited to see and then worked hard to be involved in this process.”

Rideout was asked why he believes there’s a need for a new convention centre that can accommodate up to 1,000 people.

“The events that we’re trying to attract right now, there isn’t a large enough space nor the hotel room capacity for the type of events that are happening across the country,” he said.

“So trying to get a bigger facility that will allow us to accommodate both local and outside events is really the purpose.

“We’re in a partnership with the Kwanlin Dun and with the KDCC (Cultural Centre). And they’ll be the first to admit that they’re overtaxed on their size already.”

Rideout said he doesn’t think the KDCC will be concerned about a new convention centre’s impact on its venue.

“I can’t speak for them. But we do have representation on the commission bureau board from the KDCC.”

Rideout said the YCB has been working with the government since the late fall on the RFP.

The collaborative effort has included YCB members, business and restaurant owners, and volunteers working with the Department of Tourism and Culture, along with some Outside expertise that has been involved in drafting the RFP.

He added there’s a shift to multi-purpose convention centres, both nationally and globally.

“So we’ve had some support to get this document put out and we’re excited to see how it’s gonna go.”

Asked if the bureau is expecting any proposals, Rideout replied, “We hope so. There were two or three with the expression of interest locally.

“That’s an identified land and opportunity in that first one that the Yukon government released in the fall. So now that it looks more real, we’re hoping to get at least those two and maybe a couple more.”

Rideout said the feds, including Tourism Minister Randy Boissonnault, have been talking about getting major tourism capital infrastructure in place across the country.

“He’s been up here doing sessions with the tourism business community, and with the government and has raised this, so we think there’s a pretty good opportunity.

“So my understanding is the territorial department has been working closely with their federal counterparts to see what the opportunity is here,” Rideout added.

“So if we can get this RFP out, get some designs, some ideas on what might work, something that’s maybe a shovel-ready project in the next six, seven months, we think there’s an opportunity for a big infusion of federal money.”

When asked about encouraging First Nations proposals, Rideout replied, “Absolutely. That’s some of the leaders in business in the territory and some of the larger landholders within Whitehorse; we’d always welcome that.”

Rideout described what would be a preferred location for the proposals.

“You want close proximity to hotels, restaurants, or shopping so the downtown core is the preference, but we’ve got the RFP set up as a bit of an iterative process.

“So you know, if somebody comes with a real (interesting) idea to have something out of the downtown core that makes sense, we’re always going to be welcome to see it.”

As for a combined hotel and convention centre, Rideout responded, “Within the RFP, that is an option.

“If somebody wants to partner and have a hotel or multiple facilities attached, if they want to develop a structure that contains commercial and leasehold property to offset some of the costs, we’re open to any and all ideas.”

He added, “We just really want to see what the business community that does this type of work can come back with and then work from there.”

As for possible City of Whitehorse involvement, Rideout said, “We have had some different conversations with the city. And we’re looking to get back to the table just to see where and how the city thinks they can be involved.”

Does Rideout think the city might be involved in ownership or operation of the facility?

“I can’t speak for the city, but I suspect no,” he said.

“The way the RFP is set up right now, there is an opportunity for all kinds of ownership or partnership at this point. But that’s not how we envision it happening.”

Rideout said the bureau is not looking at the city being involved in running the facility at this time.

This isn’t only a good economic opportunity for Whitehorse, he noted, but also for the territory.

He pointed out people coming into the territory often stay longer and spend money on other things like canoe trips or Northern Lights viewing.

“We see this as a really great opportunity for the territory and for a sector that’s been hit pretty hard coming out of the pandemic,” he said.

“If you can add 750 people with cash in their hands to downtown, that’s good for all business.”

According to the RFP, the project stakeholders include:

YG – Departments of Tourism and Culture and Economic Development;

the Tourism Industry Association of the Yukon;

Yukon Chamber of Commerce; and

the Association of Yukon Communities Project.

The external consultant retained by the YCB is Gaining Edge (Canada, Australia).