In the newly designed lobby of the Delta Charlottetown Hotel, the project manager dons a hardhat and opens the doors to the ballrooms, gesturing guests through with a sweep of his arm.

“This is where the old hotel becomes the new convention centre.”

There is a smile of satisfaction on Charlottetown Area Development Corporation engineer Wade Arsenault’s face.

The approximately $20 million (approximately $9 Million of which was funded by the Federal Government) two-year project saw the redesign of the existing building and creation of the new Prince Edward Island Convention Centre -- arguably the most picturesque piece of waterfront property in the city -- was a labour of love. The project team oversaw the doubling of the existing ballroom and added 4,000 square feet of breakout space. In total, an additional 35,000 square feet was added to the facility.

They did their homework, visiting 14 convention centers across the country before they broke ground.

New carpets and light fixtures highlight the completely renovated ballrooms with unique details like LED light panels that can be lit a signature color depending on the event; pink for a breast cancer fundraiser or Christmas red and green.

Turquoise and cream carpets and matching circular disc light fixtures give the rooms – originally built in 1981 -- a fresh new feel.

Just down the hall from the old ballrooms, doors open to the most unique new panorama of the Charlottetown waterfront. Floor to ceiling windows frame a visiting cruise ship just outside.

Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal Minister Robert Vessey calls it “an icon for the historic city.” "Conventions are a $20 million and climbing industry, this is a benefit to all Islanders.”

When the Delta Hotel was originally designed in 1981, the Charlottetown waterfront was a working one. Workers unloading potato boats weren’t as picturesque as the landscaping at Confederation Landing Park and mammoth cruise ships bursting through the sunrise at the mouth of the harbor.

“Location, location, location - there is no other centre in Canada that’s perched on the edge of a pier and has all that water around it,” Arsenault says. “You have to play up your assets.”

Besides the view, the centre is wired for all the latest technology. “We can go toe-to-toe with anyone else when it comes to technology,” he said.

You won’t have to watch your step over duct-taped wiring when you’re at an event. Extra panels in the floors can be wired for sound, lights, data and electricity.

Fixed rigging points hang from the ceiling so lighting trusses can be hung easily. Speakers will pipe audio into nearby rooms, and built-in drop down video screens sit at the ready at the end of each the six ballrooms.

Hidden air walls can transform or resize any rooms named for the Fathers of Confederation. There is a huge darkening blind for convention business that wants attendees to focus on the screen rather than the view.

Staff at the new centre are pleased with the design --oversized washrooms to shorten long lineups at large events, wider-than-average hallways so serving carts can manoeuvre with ease and a 600-person wraparound deck connecting to the waterfront boardwalk.

“We think we’ve put together a structure that is going to meet the convention needs of Charlottetown for years to come,” Arsenault says. “We’re quite proud of the whole thing.”