History of RBC Convention Centre Winnipeg in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: July 19, 2024

The RBC Convention Centre Winnipeg is a significant meeting and convention centre situated in the heart of downtown Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.

1969: Convention Centre Recommendation

In 1969, the Metropolitan Corporation of Greater Winnipeg (Metro) included a convention centre in their Downtown Development Plan.

September 1970: Winnipeg Convention Centre Announcement

Metro and the Province of Manitoba announced the $35-million Winnipeg Convention Centre project in September 1970.

1975: Provincial Leadership Conventions Venue

Starting in 1975, the Winnipeg Convention Centre became the primary venue for all provincial leadership conventions, with the exception of recent NDP conventions.

1975: Winnipeg Convention Centre Opening

The Winnipeg Convention Centre, a publicly-owned facility designed by Isadore Coop, was built and opened in 1975.

1976: Progressive Conservative Leadership Convention

The Winnipeg Convention Centre hosted the Progressive Conservative leadership convention in 1976.

January 1983: PC Party Convention and Joe Clark's Resignation

The Winnipeg Convention Centre was the venue for the PC party convention in January 1983, where Joe Clark announced his decision to step down as party leader.

June 1984: Liberal Leadership Convention

The Liberal Party held their leadership convention at the Winnipeg Convention Centre in June 1984.

1995: Winnipeg Cyclone Home Venue

From 1995, the Winnipeg Convention Centre became the home venue for the Winnipeg Cyclone basketball team.

2001: End of Cyclone Residency

The Winnipeg Cyclone basketball team ended its residency at the Winnipeg Convention Centre in 2001.

2012: Expansion Begins

A major expansion project for the Winnipeg Convention Centre, costing $180 million, commenced in 2012.

July 2013: Rebranding to RBC Convention Centre Winnipeg

In July 2013, the Winnipeg Convention Centre was officially renamed RBC Convention Centre Winnipeg after Royal Bank of Canada acquired its naming rights.

2015: Expansion Completed

The Winnipeg Convention Centre's expansion project, which roughly doubled its size, concluded in 2015.

2017: Visitor Count Increase

Following its expansion, the RBC Convention Centre Winnipeg experienced a significant increase in annual visitor count, reaching approximately 557,000 in 2017.