The New Year is off to a great start for the team at Global Maritimes, with news the television station is heading to new digs in Halifax's north end.
Word got out December 30 Global TV's parent company Shaw Media closed a deal to buy the former Palooka's Boxing Club on Gottingen Street, in the heart of Halifax Regional Municipality.
The buzz about the move has only grown in the days since.
Global Maritimes is relocating from Dartmouth's Burnside Industrial Park where the station has operated for the past 24 years, since its beginnings as MITV.
Global Maritimes News Director Allan Rowe sees the move as one of the most positive developments the station has had.
"The 'newsman' in me is thrilled at the prospect of being so much closer to the social, legislative, retail and security hub of the municipality – while the “citizen” in me is excited about the prospect of helping various interests in their ongoing efforts to revitalize and re-energize the North End community. "
Rowe says the Global Maritimes team is constantly looking for ways to improve its news products and to serve viewers and community in the best possible way.
Being a part of a neighbourhood such as the north end was a major consideration for Shaw executives in scouting out a new home for the station, says Global News Vice President Troy Reeb.
"I think one of the real things we were looking for when we looked at a new space was to capitalize on the changing nature of local television news itself."
Gone are the days when television studios were like a "factory," Reeb says. Now, having a connection to the community and people whose stories we're telling is a top priority.
The symbolism of the station's move to a former boxing club is rather appropriate, he adds.
"In many ways that's a fitting metaphor for Global Maritimes, which has taken its hits over the years, but is very much getting up off the mat and going to behave like a champion."
One big addition to go along with the move will be the launch of Global Maritimes Morning News Show.
The program will make its debut in the fall when the new studio opens its doors.
Between now and then a lot of work has to be done to convert the building from a boxing ring to a top-notch studio.
Reeb says the deed to the building, which was also the one-time Vogue Theatre, is in hand and he expects renovations to begin very soon.
Since Shaw took over Global Television about a year ago, the company has made it a priority to show interest in expanding in the Maritimes.
"We are here to stay and we're putting millions of dollars where our mouth is to show the community just how committed we are to it."
Reeb says the new building and new morning show, combined with the Evening News and News Final broadcasts, shows Global's commitment to providing around-the-clock news coverage to the region on television and through digital platforms.
"We really want this facility to be a place where people can connect to us, not only physically but also through social media."
Global Maritimes will keep the community updated on the big changes ahead on globalmaritimes.com and through its Facebook and Twitter accounts.
Here's to the exciting year ahead for Global Maritimes and its viewers.
© Shaw Media Inc., 2012. All rights reserved.