Fredericton confirms location for new performing arts centre

The location for the city's new performing arts centre is now confirmed. The centre will be built onthe vacant lot atthe corner of King and Regent streets in Fredericton's downtown core.

The city bought the site in a deal with Commercial Properties Ltd. for $8.2 million. The city then sold about 25 per cent of the property to the province for $2.4 million for the new justice building. The rest of the land was earmarked for theperforming arts centre and a residential development.

The motion for the confirmation of the arts centre was put forward to council Monday night and was passed.

"We have been talking about this performing arts centre and where it's going to be located for such a very long time," said Mayor Kate Rogers at Monday's council meeting.

The release says picking the location is a step that will now move the project even closer to the building stage.

At the end of June, the cost estimate for the centre jumped by $13 million, whichRogers said was due toinflation.

Construction is set to begin as early as fall 2023.

"Many, many hands have gone into selecting this property," said Rogers. "But I think what everyone can be rest assured is the due diligence that we put into this project just enhances the quality of that project and I think just reinforces that this is the right project at the right time for the City of Fredericton."