This Grand Opening plaque commemorates the opening of the Hamilton Convention Centre. Located in Downtown Hamilton, the Hamilton Convention Centre was officially opened on June 19, 1981 by the Honourable Larry Sheldon, Member of Provincial Parliament and Minister of Industry and Tourism, and Mayor William Powell, mayor of the City of Hamilton.
The plaque reads:
Hamilton Convention Centre, officially opened by THE HONOURABLE LARRY GROSSMAN, Q.C. MINISTER OF INDUSTRY AND TOURISM, PROVINCE OF ONTARIO,
and HIS WORSHIP MAYOR WILLIAM POWELL, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF HAMILTON,
on JUNE 19, 1981. Robert G. Darling, Chairman. Robert L. Gregson, First Vice Chairman. Alderman Kenneth M. Edge, Second Vice Chairman. Directors Alderman James A Bethuna, Keith L. Clark, Jack Krieger, Milton J. Lewis, Q.C., Bill B. Stetson , Alderman G Ian Stout
The Hamilton Convention Centre, located at 1 Summers Lane in Downtown Hamilton, boasts over 12 ballrooms and meeting rooms, 40000 sq.ft of exhibition space, and can accommodate up to 2000 people. Large events such as conferences, trade shows, jobfairs, and banquents can be easily accommodated within this facility.
The Convention Centre is located at the base of the Ellen Fairclough Building. The Hamilton Place Theater and the Art Gallery of Hamilton are also connected to the building.
From en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Larry_Grossman (
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Lawrence "Larry" Sheldon Grossman (December 2, 1943 – June 22, 1997) was a politician in Ontario, Canada. He served in the Legislative Assembly as a Progressive Conservative from 1975 to 1987, and was a cabinet minister in the governments of Bill Davis and Frank Miller. Grossman was leader of the Ontario Progressive Conservatives from 1985 to 1987.
When the elder Grossman retired, Larry Grossman contested and won his father's seat of St. Andrew—St. Patrick in the 1975 election, defeating Ontario New Democratic Party candidate Barbara Beardsley by 419 votes. He was re-elected in the 1977, 1981 and 1985 elections.
After serving as parliamentary assistant to the Attorney General from 1975 to 1977, Grossman was appointed to cabinet on September 21, 1977 as Minister of Tourism (on October 18, 1978, the ministry was restyled as Industry and Tourism).[2] He was promoted to the high-profile position of Health Minister on February 18, 1982, and was named Provincial Treasurer and Minister of Economics on July 6, 1983.
From en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Powell_(Canadian_politician) (
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William Powell (1907–1992) was Mayor of Hamilton, Canada, from 1980 to 1982.
Born in St. Helen’s, Lancashire, England, his family emigrated to Canada in 1911. While his family returned to England, Powell came to Hamilton in 1921, and eventually found work at Stelco, a steel company based in Hamilton.
In 1958, he ran as the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation candidate in Hamilton East. He placed third with 21.6% of the vote, losing to incumbent Quinto Martini, a Progressive Conservative. Two years later, he was elected as an alderman in Ward 4. He served in this post until 1970. During his time as alderman, he also retired from his work at Stelco.
In 1970, he ran for a seat on the Board of Control, but was unsuccessful. Following his defeat, he assumed the Chairmanship of the Hamilton Region Conservation Authority and stayed in that position for a decade.
In 1980, he defeated incumbent mayor, Jack MacDonald. He served until 1982, when he was defeated by Bob Morrow.
In 1985, he was appointed as alderman for Ward 3 in order to fill a vacancy.