Compass Group Canada is going to run the John D. Bradley Convention Centre in Chatham for another two years.
Chatham-Kent council approved the contract extension at their regular meeting on Monday night.
Mayor Randy Hope feels keeping the same operator is important in reaching the municipality's economic objectives.
"For somebody else to come in new and pick up it only makes sense to keep the momentum moving," says Hope. "We are seeing some upgrades in some of the hotel accommodations that are in the community. It looks like there's a more positive light at the end of the tunnel."
Hope says negativity in the community towards the municipality's involvement in the facility isn't helping the performance of the convention centre.
"Who would want to book something if you never know whether council's going to sell it or move it or shutdown? People do long range booking. They're not just booking for that year, they're booking out a year and two," says Hope. "So, you've go to get rid of that negative outlook on the facility."
The municipality budgets $300,000 a year to run the convention centre.
Compass Group Canada first took over operations and marketing of the facility in May 2011.
