PITTSBURGH -- The David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh is expected to lose $6.5 million this year as work on the facility continues.

WTAE reported during its noon broadcast that the Sports & Exhibition Authority has approved a 2002 budget for the facility that balances $7.4 million in spending against expected revenues of only $974,000.

Because work on the facility is continuing, it cannot count on large-scale exhibitions, food services or parking revenues.

Next month, an 80,000-square-foot secondary exhibition hall is slated to open. Other major parts of the convention center are not expected to open, however, until next year.