While celebrating its 40th anniversary, this year the Mediterranean Conference Centre will see numerous redevelopments with a €10 million investment, Tourism Minister Konrad Mizzi announced yesterday.
Mizzi, who took part in the launch of the series of events and projects which will take part in the commemoration of the 40th anniversary of the MCC, said that Malta is currently undergoing a major transformation and that MCC is a project in this transformation.
Mizzi said that the MCC contributes to numerous local and international events, and that the future vision of the centre is to evolve into a venue of high world class events. The UNESCO World Heritage Site will be receiving a €10 million investment through European Funds to redevelop and reinvest the centre. Through means of such funds and modern technology, as of May the MCC will have a premium outdoor venue which will be located on the roof terrace, which is currently one of the development projects. Mizzi said that he hopes to see the MCC develop into a multi-purpose conference centre, a place where both business, commercial and cultural events can take place.
MCC CEO Pierre Fenech said that the Mediterranean Conference Centre opened its doors on 11 February 1979 and that in 2019 will see the centre go through numerous renovations, particularly redevelopment on the roof and “water tank” room.
Fenech explained how “the old air conditioners have been removed and replaced with new ones, which reduce visual impact and noise pollution.” He said that the roof will make an excellent venue for outdoor events and conferences during the spring and summer months, and that if the weather drastically changes, there is a back-up plan to be able to go inside the MCC and continue the event in there.
Fenech also explained the development of the water tank room, which during the British period was used as storage for water. He said that the room is going through a full renovation, with new facilities, flooring, lighting and additional emergency exit.
Through new means of technology and augmented reality the MCC is currently working on the opening of a virtual reality museum, re-telling the history of the Sacra Infermeria and its adaptation to the Maltese needs throughout the past.