The timing could have been better for the opening of the Tom Ridge Environmental Center -- especially with the report this week in the Erie Times-News that the convention center project is already $9 million over budget.

In many minds locally, the Tom Ridge Center is intertwined with the convention center as an example of bloated government spending on a building that looks good -- but serves no real public benefit.

It's the edifice complex. Elected officials want big, shiny buildings to make themselves feel important -- and to give voters something to remember them by come election day.

I'm convinced, however, that the Tom Ridge Center shouldn't get lumped in with with the convention center in the minds of those who believe government should stay out of the construction business. (Full disclosure alert: My wife is one of the vendors in the gift shop).

Sure, it cost more than $31 million to build. Sure, it bears the name of a politician. Sure, it might not generate the kind of revenue or spinoff business cited by its proponents.

But after a few visits to the center, I'm convinced it serves the public good in ways that a convention center cannot. The building provides resources for environmental research that could someday generate meaningful products or processes. It gives visitors a gateway to our most important tourist attraction -- Presque Isle. It gives locals a chance to learn more about their history, their environment and their home.

But -- more than anything else -- it gives our community a much needed shot of pride. Erie often gets tagged with the label "The Mistake on the Lake." We often look down at what we have and downplay our accomplishments and resources. But everyone I have spoken to who has been through the building has been impressed -- and surprised -- by what they have seen.

The Tom Ridge Center gives us a reason to be proud. It is truly state of the art. It is truly an asset that improves our community.

In this case, at least, you can believe the hype. And maybe, you can believe that this time, Erie got it right.