After 4 years of planing and 2 year of work on the Conventin Center, Anaheim is ready to unveil its revamped ...

This weekend, four years after its conception and more than two years after construction began, the revamped Anaheim Convention Center will open for display.

Only a little more than half is done, but that’s enough to show off the new building with its expansive lobby, meeting rooms, floating staircase, skylight, balconies and grand ballroom.

By the time it’s completed in about a year, the city will have spent up to $177.5 million on the renovation project. Its redesign is only one of several major construction projects in Anaheim, including the Santa Ana Freeway widening, improvements and expansion of the Disneyland resort area and general landscaping and renovation to the city’s streets. But Anaheim spokesman Bret Colson said the Convention Center is considered key to the city’s plans. “It’s one of the economic engines that drives tourism in Anaheim. It’s extremely vital to our well-being,” Colson said.

The high hopes for the new Convention Center come from expectations that it will bring more visitors to Anaheim. Greg Smith, executive director of the Convention Center, said the city estimates it will add an additional $5 million to its coffers through the transient occupancy tax, a hotel tax in Anaheim.

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In an attempt to attract more visitors, the Convention Center is undergoing a complete transformation. Four of its five exhibit halls will have expanded by 50,000 square feet. Replacing hallways and doors that served as connectors, a quarter-mile-long lobby will stretch from one end to the other. The old Convention Center had only one level. The new stretches upward, three stories high.

The design architect, John Conley of HO+K in Santa Monica, tried to make an architectural statement for the city, Smith said. Many details hold symbolic meaning. The front of the building, with glass panes to let in the California sun, has a curvature similar to an ocean wave. Portions of the carpet have large purple and orange ovals meant to symbolize the city’s past in agriculture. Even the signs outside each meeting room pay homage to the city’s roots, hung with metal in the shape of a Native American petroglyph.

To celebrate its arrival, the city has planned a party of sorts for Anaheim residents Saturday: an arts and athletic fair from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. featuring performances, including the Anaheim Ballet, Ballet Folklorico, a Polynesian dance group, marching bands from all the Anaheim high schools and a magic show.

The fair will also offer numerous hands-on activities for kids and adults. Disney Goals will set up an indoor hockey rink. A balloon man will give demonstrations on how to make balloon animals. Kids will have the opportunity to color in a mural depicting the city.

“We’re now approaching the end of the road in terms of construction. What we want to do is celebrate this new public facility with the people it was designed to benefit: the residents and businesses of Anaheim,” Colson said.

Judy Silber can be reached at (714) 966-5988