Ottawa is getting a new tourist attraction. It's a pavilion to showcase Canada's international achievements.

It's called the "Canada and the World Pavilion", and will be built right across from Ottawa's city hall on Sussex.

The $5.5 million project that has generated its share of controversy.

Just last year, opponents to the pavilion project were lining up.

There was open criticism by senior executives at the Museum of Civilization.

Museum vice-president Joe Geurts wrote a pointed letter to the NCC saying the project would compete with other tourist attractions and drain precious funding dollars.

But Geurts has changed his mind.

"This project or this pavilion, whatever you wish to describe it, will in fact add to the offerings of the national capital and not, if you wish, affect any of the other partners in any adverse way," says Geurts.

The NCC has not only won over the museum, they claim they've eased the concerns of local residents, who were worried about traffic and parking problems.

The NCC's spokesperson, Diane Dupuis, says it's taken a year to win everyone over and to get the project through the municipal process.

"We had hoped actually to have it opened this year," says Dupuis.

The NCC is getting a total of $1 million from seven government departments to help build the pavilion.