New direction for museum: meet and greet at Hockey Heritage North.

• Author: Ross, Ian
• Position: CONFERENCE & CONVENTION

A money-losing museum in Kirkland Lake has found new purpose as a state-of-the-art convention centre. Hockey Heritage North is experiencing a rebirth as a popular community gathering place for social, training and corporate events.

The 17,000-square-foot facility opened in 2006 as a government-supported tourism destination attraction dedicated to hockey with a collection of historical artifacts, photos, memorabilia and interactive displays.

When Microtel announced it was building a hotel next to Hockey Heritage North and the nearby Comfort Inn began completely renovating its 65 rooms, Wilf Hass, the town's economic development and tourism director, said it wasn't rocket science to figure out the facility's future and best use was as a conference and meetings space.

"Hockey Heritage North was built as a museum and later pressed into service as a conference and exhibition centre, and couldn't really do either one really well because it wasn't purpose-built for it."

The facility had been a financial burden to the municipality, so town staff consulted with the community to find ways to drive traffic to the venue, and have it recognized as the go-place for events.

"With the renovations, we've been able to accomplish that."

With contributions from Ottawa, Queen's Park and the town, about a $1 million have been invested in the revamp with the results being almost immediate, even before interior construction was finished.

Hass said the building's banquet room is booked solid for weddings every weekend from July 1 to Dec. 31.

A fun-zone space has been converted into a 288-square metre banquet room that seats 140 in a dinner setting. The rectangular room contains a bar table and two fridges.

The hockey exhibits that populate the main 310-square-metre exhibition hall can be easily moved on mobile display cases to make way for other functions or travelling exhibitions. The capacity is 152 for dining and 273 standing.

The 110-square-metre theatre has a seating capacity of 72 and standing room of 100.

A wing of offices was converted into two small board rooms...