PN proposes Marsa national hall and expo centre

The Nationalist Party would invest €350 million to create a creative district in Marsa and the Grand Harbour area, Opposition leader Alex Borg said on Wednesday. 

Speaking at a news conference with shadow economy minister Jerome Caruana Cilia and shadow culture minister Julie Zahra, Borg said the project would include a national cultural district, new theatres and a large conference venue.

The PN said the project would generate an annual return of €110 million.

The proposed creative district would be built around two main projects: a national multipurpose hall and the Marsa Expo Centre.

PN's vision for Marsa as a creative hub. Video: PN

The area of Marsa as it is currently. Photo: Google Earth

Zahra described the proposal as a “legacy project” as well as " a gift" for the cultural sector.

She said the national hall would serve as a permanent home for the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra, which has long lacked a fixed, long-term base.

The hall would be designed for both small and large-scale productions and would have a capacity of 1,700 people.

The project would also include a smaller theatre with a capacity of 600 people and a separate black box theatre for more experimental performances.

Alex Borg, centre, announces his plans for new buildings for the cultural sector flanked by election candidates Julie Zahra and Jerome Caruana Cilia . Photo: PN

Zahra said the district would also include recording studios, dance studios, technical workshops and backstage infrastructure.

The Marsa Expo Centre, meanwhile, would be used for conferences, summits and large international events. The PN said it would have a capacity of 15,000 people.

Asked whether a PN government would retain the government’s planned Marsa Arts and Culture Hub, Zahra said the party would continue with that project.

Borg also announced a separate proposal for Malta to invest in artificial intelligence, data and the new space sector.

The national hall would be the new home for the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra, the PN said. Render: PN

He said a PN government would invest €12 million over three years to help turn Malta into a hub for those sectors.

According to Borg, the experts they consulted estimated that the investment could generate €100 million over five years and €200 million over 10 years.

Borg said the proposal would create new careers while helping Malta grow its economy without adding pressure to its already strained infrastructure.

Caruana Cilia said the new space sector was growing internationally and that Malta should act early to position itself within it before it misses the boat.

He compared the opportunity to Malta’s decision in the 1960s to build up its maritime sector.

Caruana Cilia said Malta would need to become a full member of the European Space Agency as soon as possible. He noted that Malta is currently a cooperating state, rather than a full member.

He argued that Malta’s small size could be an advantage because the country was agile and had already shown it could adapt to new technology.

The PN said investment in the sector would be accompanied by training at MCAST and the University of Malta.