MUSKEGON, Mich. — Doug Pollack first heard the idea nearly 40 years ago.
"It's something that's been bounced around a lot...I think it was 1983 where they talked about a convention center in Muskegon," said Pollack.
But that talk has now turned into action with the groundbreaking of the new $17 million convention center.
"It is so exciting, and as someone said it's joyful," said Cindy Larsen with the Chamber of Commerce.
Business leaders are hopeful that the new convention center will boost tourism especially during the winter months.
"The beauty of the convention center is it will be year round. We've been a great tourism city for the summer months but we need year-round tourism," says Larsen.
The center will be connected to LC Walker Arena and a hotel which is changing from a Holiday Inn to a Delta Hotels by Marriott. That change includes significant renovations to the tune of a $7 million investment.
"We've renovated every room; we've renovated all the furniture. Everything you see in the hotel is new," said Pollack.
Construction at the Convention Center should be complete by early 2021.
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