Halifax Port Authority shutters Cunard Centre for events

Events will no longer be held at the Cunard Centre due to challenges from the COVID-19 pandemic

HALIFAXtoday \  Chris Stoodley

Halifax’s Cunard Centre will no longer be hosting events due to challenges that stem from the COVID-19 pandemic.

On Thursday, the Halifax Port Authority announced it was shutting down the space for events. The RCR Hospitality Group ran the 45,000 square foot space using it for events and catering.

“COVID-19 has been a game-changer, and as a result, we have made the difficult decision to focus on the parts of the business that are recovering well, which are the restaurants and catering,” Robert Risley, chairman and CEO of the RCR Hospitality Group, says in a news release.

Due to the pandemic, it has been 18 months since an event was held at the Cunard Centre. That window pushed the Port Authority to consider how to best use the space.

Since the Cunard Centre sits on Halifax’s waterfront in the city’s Seaport District, it’s prime real estate for many business owners.

Currently, the Port Authority is open to transforming the space for almost any retail application.

Despite the space closing, the RCR Hospitality Group will continue to work with the Halifax Port Authority and provide catering services for the Halifax Seaport District.

“RCR Hospitality Group has been a key part of the transformation of the Seaport District that started back in the 2000s,” Krista Dempsey, vice president of real estate for the Halifax Port Authority, says in the news release.

Back in January 2021, the Halifax Port Authority announced it was moving the nearby Seaport Farmers Market to make space for a new transportation innovation lab.

The change took place in March, putting vendors next door in Pavilion 22 for the colder months. Starting next summer, vendors are expected to use the outdoor parking lot as a farmers’ market.