In 1999 the Millennium Centre initiative received $3.2 million in funding support from the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) and Nova Scotia's Department of Economic Development, and $1.5 million from the Nova Scotia Sport and Recreation Commission. The town and county of Antigonish committed to support the Millennium Centre project with a contribution of $500,000 each. Also, the StFX student body voted overwhelmingly to support the Millennium Centre project with contribution of more than $500,000 through student fees. Ultimately making the Millennium vision a reality was the tremendous and generous $5 million gift from Dartmouth businessman and StFX alumnus Charles V Keating.