NERVA Energy Selected as Energy Engineering Partner for $10M Hamilton Convention Centre Revitalization
Hamilton, ON - May 2025
NERVA Energy is proud to announce its appointment as the energy engineering partner for the highly anticipated revitalization of the Hamilton Convention Centre by Carmen’s, a project that aims to transform one of the city’s most prominent venues into a modern, high-performance event destination - just in time for the JUNO Awards in 2026.
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Led by Carmen’s Group, in collaboration with Hamilton Community Enterprises, the $10 million, privately funded redevelopment is being executed on an aggressive timeline and will remain fully operational throughout construction. The revitalization includes a sweeping interior redesign, the addition of new hospitality offerings, and a significant mechanical and energy systems upgrade - all part of a vision to re-establish the Convention Centre as a premier destination in Ontario’s event and tourism sector.
A Strategic Partnership for Measurable Energy Impact
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NERVA’s role in the project includes overseeing mechanical rehabilitation and deep energy optimization, ensuring that the facility’s infrastructure performs as impressively as its new design. The firm will lead the upgrade of HVAC systems, ventilation, and energy control infrastructure to deliver quantifiable energy savings, improved carbon footprint, and long-term operational resilience.
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“NERVA presented a mechanical optimization and energy performance strategy that is not only practical and scalable, but - most importantly - measurable,” said PJ Mercanti, CEO of Carmen’s Group. “Given the logistical complexity of revitalizing an active facility, having a partner who can take full ownership of both the mechanical upgrades and the building’s energy performance is invaluable. Their ability to deliver quantifiable, guaranteed outcomes provides us with investment certainty and allows our project team to focus on other critical aspects of the retrofit with confidence.”
Breathing New Life into a Landmark
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Originally modernized under Carmen’s Group in 2013, the Hamilton Convention Centre has long stood as a central hub for conferences, weddings, graduations, and civic events. The current redevelopment builds on that legacy with forward-looking enhancements, including:
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A street-facing wine bar and café open 365 days a year
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A rooftop garden growing herbs, vegetables, and supporting an on-site beehive
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Fully redesigned conference spaces with plug-and-play technology integration
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Enhanced lighting, sound systems, and digital infrastructure
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“This revitalization represents more than just a physical transformation - it’s a blueprint for how legacy infrastructure can evolve to meet modern demands for energy performance, sustainability, and deeper community engagement.” said Ryan Rogers, Vice President of Corporate Development at Hamilton Community Enterprises. “Collaborating with NERVA Energy ensures we’re embedding smart, measurable energy outcomes into the heart of the project. It’s a strategic alignment with our vision for a more energy resilient and forward-thinking Hamilton.”
With a focus on guest experience and event versatility, the revitalized space will help attract a broader range of clients, from private event planners to global conference organizers. And with major events like the JUNO Awards set to take place in Hamilton in 2026, the project team is committed to delivering on time and on vision.
“We are going to be rocking in time for the Junos,” remarked Mercanti during the official press conference. “We have an ambitious schedule, but the design team has been working closely with our operations team, so we are confident everything will be completed on time.”
NERVA’s Commitment to Performance & Legacy
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For NERVA Energy, this project is more than a retrofit - it’s an opportunity to contribute to Hamilton’s broader momentum in climate leadership, urban renewal, and economic growth.
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“We’re honoured to partner on a project that not only celebrates architectural renewal, but also prioritizes energy intelligence,” said Rob Hallewick, CEO of NERVA Energy. “Our mandate is to deliver a high-performance mechanical retrofit that reduces waste, enhances occupant comfort, and unlocks long-term operational savings. At its core, this is about creating lasting value - for our partners, the community, and the future of the Convention Centre.”
This latest collaboration reinforces NERVA’s reputation as a national leader in guaranteed energy performance, helping public and private sector partners modernize infrastructure while ensuring measurable financial and environmental returns.
A Milestone for Hamilton’s Downtown Core
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As the Convention Centre’s transformation unfolds, it stands as a testament to what’s possible when vision, design, and performance engineering align. With construction now underway, the project is expected to be completed by December 2025, ensuring the venue is ready to welcome local and international audiences to Hamilton’s cultural and business heart.
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NERVA Energy looks forward to sharing updates throughout the journey - and to delivering another benchmark project that redefines what buildings can do for the people and cities they serve.