Construction officially starts on Moncton's new downtown centre

The construction phase of Moncton's new downtown sports and entertainment centre got underway on Monday morning during an official sod-turning ceremony.

Premier Brian Gallant,MonctonMayor GeorgeLeBlancandMoncton-Riverview-DieppeMPGinettePetitpasTaylor donned hard hats and performed the customary sod-turning exercise in front of the media on Monday morning.

"This is good news as the construction phase will stimulate the economy and create many jobs. Plus, once the centre is complete, it will enhance the quality of life for families in the region," Gallant said.

Gallant also creditedLeBlanc, who is not running again for mayor, for his role inseeing the centre become a reality.

Although the politicians showed up on Monday for the sod-turning ceremony, construction on the project started earlier in the spring.

The new downtown centre inMonctonis scheduled to open in 2018.

The construction phase of the project is expected to create 713 jobs and about 50 peopleare expected to work at the centre full-time when it is complete.

The provincial and federal governments are contributing a combined $48 million while the city plans to borrow about $39 million.

A government statement suggests the new centre will attract up to 396,000 people annually and generate upwards of $15 million.

"The centre will stimulate economic activity in our city and revitalize our downtown,"LeBlancsaid.