The man in charge of moving Canada's Sports Hall of Fame to Ottawa says the project will go ahead with or without federal help.

Phil Denyes says his organization has already raised $15 million from corporate sponsors to move the facility to the government conference centre.

The building used to be Ottawa's main train station.

The federal government was expected to contribute $13 million to pay for renovations to the building, but pulled out of the agreement.

Denyes called the decision "disappointing."

But he says he's confident more sponsors can be found.

"We're not going to give up. It's still an unbelievable building," says Denyes. "The location is going to ensure that it will be the number one location for a Sports Hall of Fame anywhere in the world. We're regrouping a bit right now, trying to figure out where we're gonna go from here. But I can say this, I'm here in Ottawa to do one thing and that's to make Canada's Sports Hall of Fame a reality."

Denyes says the renovation plan would more than double the size of the conference centre.

A large part of the renovated building would be rented out as office and retail space.