It hasn't opened yet, but Halifax's new convention centre is already getting $10 million in technology upgrades.

Taxpayers are on the hook for $5 million of that, split between the provincial and municipal governments. The other $5 million will be paid for by the developer.

The upgrades include LED lights, audio-visual technology and key card security systems.

Infrastructure Minister Geoff MacLellan says the LED lights should save about $400,000 a year over the next 10 years.

“When you look at the magnitude of this investment, I think it's pretty reasonable to assume that the technology advances, the things that are available will be up to the minute when the centre opens next year,” said MacLellan.

The $2.5 million is in addition to the $164 million the province already committed to the convention centre.