Official Sydney and Area Projects Thread

[Trevor3]

Something definitely needs to be done with GLR. I remember what it was like when I was kid living in Sydney and got to experience it at rush hour in December when I spent a couple days before taking the ferry back home. Really surprised by how much traffic was on it this time around, though I should have seen it coming with all the retail development across from the mall. Trying to access GLR from side streets, subdivisions, businesses, etc... has to be a piece of work for some people.

Also, going to be sad to see the North Sydney Forum go. I have quite a few memories from my early days of minor hockey in that rink. The vibrating dressing room, the snow coming throgh the roof, the bitter cold, a true Canadian rink.

[Smevo]

It will be bittersweet to see the forum go. It is a bit of a local landmark, and any building like that has a lot of memories tied to it, but the land is too prime a location to have it sit empty for much longer. It has become a surplus building since the construction of the Emera Centre.

The biggest issue with GLR is the uncontrolled accesses, mostly closer to the Sydney side, on a trunk highway that should at the very least have more access control, but in reality mostly tries to serve as a 100-series freeway.

[Smevo]

http://www.capebretonpost.com/News/L...els-building/1

Yoga studio to open in former Holy Angels building

Published on December 20, 2013


SYDNEY — A new yoga studio will soon open at the former Holy Angels High School.

Owners and certified yoga teachers, Nicole Cammaert and Nancy Bona, are about to see their long-time dream of opening a full-service yoga studio realized. The 1,000 square foot studio will open in mid-January in the former Holy Angels High School. The studio will employ up to 10 local, trained and certified teachers with 15-20 class offerings per week.

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[Smevo]

http://www.capebretonpost.com/News/L...ime-has-come/1

'The time has come'
Council to prepare issue paper on forum demolition

Staff ~ The Cape Breton Post
Published on January 15, 2014


NORTH SYDNEY — Cape Breton Regional Municipality inspections and bylaws division will prepare an issue paper on the potential demolition of the North Sydney Forum.

District 2 Coun. Charlie Keagan made the request at Tuesday's general committee meeting, asking that the paper outline timelines and potential costs to tear down the facility that has been idle since 2011.

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[Smevo]

Small, but nice to have the Glace Bay area represented here from time to time.

http://www.capebretonpost.com/News/L...h-Grove-Road/1

Zoning amendment sought along Birch Grove Road

Published on January 16, 2014

SYDNEY — There will be a public hearing next month into a zoning amendment application by a proponent who wants to build a three-unit apartment building on Birch Grove Road.

According to a staff report, the building would be constructed along the east side of the Birch Grove Road. The current zoning for the site and the neighbourhood only allows for one and two-unit residential dwellings.

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[Smevo]

http://www.capebretonpost.com/News/L...-of-terminal/1

Minister gets briefing on future expansion of terminal

Published on January 17, 2014

SYDNEY — The Cape Breton Regional Municipality provided federal Transport Minister Lisa Raitt with a technical briefing on Friday on the future expansion of the cruise ship terminal on Sydney harbour.

CBRM Mayor Cecil Clarke said in the past, cruise ships have decided against making Sydney a port-of-call because a cruise ship berth couldn’t be guaranteed.

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http://www.capebretonpost.com/News/L...North-Sydney/1

New ship repair business opens in North Sydney

Published on January 17, 2014

NORTH SYDNEY — Canadian Maritime Engineering has set up shop at North Sydney harbour and has its sites already set on expansion.

The Dartmouth-based marine industrial repair company finalized the 100 per cent purchase from a local businessman about a month ago and began its first major repair project this week when the RJ Ballot tug was brought into port for repairs.

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[Smevo]

http://www.capebretonpost.com/News/L...-public-pool/1

Testing the waters for Glace Bay public pool
Government representatives say feasibility study best first step

Laura Jean Grant
Published on January 19, 2014


GLACE BAY — Representatives of all three levels of government agree that a feasibility study is the appropriate first step in any discussion about a public pool for Glace Bay.

Just seven people attended the Sunday afternoon meeting, organized by Glace Bay resident Bill Davies, on a day when many people were cleaning up after an overnight snowstorm. Despite the low turnout at the Bayplex, Davies did get some advice from area politicians on what's required to move forward.

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Sad to see the low turnout, but a good initiative nonetheless.

[Smevo]

http://www.capebretonpost.com/News/L...erminal-site/1

Raitt tours new ferry terminal site

Published on January 20, 2014

NORTH SYDNEY — During a recent visit to Cape Breton, the federal transport minister reviewed progress at the site of the new Marine Atlantic terminal building in North Sydney.

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The new terminal building is funded through the federal government's five-year investment of $521 million in the revitalization of Marine Atlantic's fleet and shore facilities. It is due to open and be operational in 2015-16.

The new North Sydney terminal is estimated to cost $20 million, including design, site preparation and construction. It will offer a commercial driver seating lounge area and provide closer access to downtown North Sydney businesses.

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[Smevo]

http://www.capebretonpost.com/Busine...yflower-Mall/1

Montreal-based yogurt chain to set up at Mayflower Mall

Staff ~ The Cape Breton Post
Published on January 30, 2014

SYDNEY — A yogurt and café chain, based out of Montreal, will be coming to the Mayflower Mall in Sydney soon.

Yeh! Yogurt and Café has had one shop in the province operating out of downtown Halifax since February 2013.

Now the company will establish the yogurt chain at locations including the Mayflower Mall in Sydney, the Downsview Mall in Lower Sackville and the Truro Mall.

The stores will be operated by franchisee Robert Taylor and will open over a two-month period beginning in April with the Mayflower Mall location.

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[Smevo]

http://www.capebretonpost.com/Busine...-I-3-contest/1

Sydney startup wins $100,000 prize from Innovacorp I-3 contest

Erin Pottie
Published on February 04, 2014

SYDNEY — A Sydney-based startup has found a niche in the world of Internet mischief.

Heimdall Networks was recently announced as the first-place winner of Innovacorp's I-3 Technology Competition for the Cape Breton region.

The award brings with it a $100,000 prize that includes a combination of cash and in-kind business-building services.

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http://www.capebretonpost.com/News/L...set-to-begin/1

Work on Maritime Link set to begin
'Cape Breton played a critical role in bringing the Maritime Link to Nova Scotia'

Chris Shannon
Published on February 04, 2014

SYDNEY — After nearly three years of negotiations and meetings with politicians, potential suppliers and the public, work on building the Maritime Link will soon begin on the ground in Cape Breton.

During a presentation to Cape Breton regional council on Tuesday, Emera Newfoundland and Labrador president Rick Janega said tree clearing work for transmission lines on the Northside will start "fairly shortly," employing between 20 to 50 people.

He said two subsea cables the size of a “two-litre bottle of pop” will be buried about one metre beneath the seabed of the Cabot Strait. The cables will come ashore just northwest of the existing Nova Scotia Power generating station in Point Aconi.

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http://www.capebretonpost.com/News/L...with-company/1

Mi'kmaq partnership signs training agreement with company

Published on February 04, 2014

MEMBERTOU — Two Cape Breton Mi'kmaq communities have signed an agreement with a company that will see its members gain access to training.

East Coast Metal Fabrication to create training and employment for community members.

The agreement will see eight students from Membertou and Eskasoni employed by East Coast Metal Fabrication through a customized metal fabrication apprenticeship program at Nova Scotia Community College.


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[Smevo]

http://www.capebretonpost.com/News/L...by-next-week/1

Kytes Hill report could be finalized by next week

Published on February 05, 2014

SYDNEY - Consultants hired by the province to conduct a road safety review of the Kytes Hill area expect a final report may be available sometime next week.

An initial report, Kytes Hill Safety Review, was presented to area residents on December 8 and they were asked to contribute feedback by the end of January. Now that the feedback period is over, consultants from Hatch Mott MacDonald, which did the initial report, will be assessing the results.

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http://www.capebretonpost.com/News/L...n-Louisbourg/1

Maritime Link project up for discussion in Louisbourg

T.J. Colello
Published on February 05, 2014

LOUISBOURG — Emera Newfoundland and Labrador held a public information session at Louisbourg Fire Hall on Wednesday to answer questions from residents on the Maritime Link power project.

As part of the project, a grounding tower will be constructed in Big Lorraine, just north of Louisbourg. The grounding site is designed to provide a path for stray current caused by an imbalance in the high voltage direct current system.

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[Smevo]

http://www.capebretonpost.com/News/L...eds-for-less/1

CBRM mayor's capital plan asks feds for less
'There is greater flexibility under federal programs'

Chris Shannon
Published on February 06, 2014

SYDNEY — Details on Cecil Clarke’s $300-million, five-year capital plan to replace aging infrastructure in the Cape Breton Regional Municipality has seen a reduction in the federal government’s financial contribution to shovel-ready projects.

The plan, which the mayor dubbed a “worst-first” strategy, will focus on the most urgent repairs and replacement of infrastructure.

When it was released in 2012, the capital plan called for the feds to pay in 50 cents on the dollar, with the province and the CBRM splitting the remainder of the cost.

In a document released this week breaking down the costs of shovel-ready projects, the cost-shared plan has reverted to the traditionally agreed upon one-third spending method on capital from each of the three levels of government.

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[Smevo]

http://www.capebretonpost.com/News/L...deral-budget/1

CBRM mayor in Ottawa for reading of federal budget
No details on multibillion-dollar Building Canada Fund

Chris Shannon
Published on February 11, 2014


SYDNEY — Cecil Clarke was in the House of Commons gallery Tuesday for the reading of the federal budget by Finance Minister Jim Flaherty.

There was no mention of details on the multibillion-dollar Building Canada Fund that’s due to start in April, but there’s no worry coming from the mayor of the Cape Breton Regional Municipality.

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[Smevo]

http://www.capebretonpost.com/News/L...track%3A-CEO/1

Plans for iron ore plant remain on track: CEO

Published on February 12, 2014

SYDNEY — A Russian company is still looking at Sydney as a possible site for its proposed iron ore pelletization plant.

A news outlet, based out of Halifax, reported Wednesday Severstal was pulling out of its plans for a massive operation here.

In a statement, the company’s affiliate International Iron Beneficiation Group disputed that claim saying a process patented by a South African firm is going according to plan.

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It remains unclear when a final decision on the location for the plant will be announced.

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A feasibility study was completed by CBCL Ltd. for the International Iron Beneficiation Group. The province provided $400,000 in funding for the study, and Enterprise Cape Breton Corp. put up another $300,000.

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The former Sydney steel plant property is being proposed as the site for the plant because of its easy access to Sydney harbour with a route directly on to Highway 125 from the Sydney Port Access Road.

Construction of the facility has been estimated at $800 million to $1 billion, which would create a boom in the construction trades.

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http://www.capebretonpost.com/News/L...led-to-begin/1

Yacht club arson trial scheduled to begin

Published on February 12, 2014

SYDNEY - The trial for a Sydney man charged with starting a fire that destroyed the former Royal Cape Breton Yacht Club is scheduled to begin today.

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The offences allegedly occurred between January and May. The May 3 fire at the yacht club destroyed the century-old building, which had recently been purchased by Enterprise Cape Breton Corp.

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http://www.capebretonpost.com/News/L...irst-upgrade/1

Road repairs at Indian Beach first upgrade

Published on February 12, 2014

NORTH SYDNEY — Residents have been told the road leading into Indian Beach is expected to be the first upgrade tackled as part of plans to restore the popular destination for family gatherings and other activities.

The plans were revealed during a public meeting on the state of the beach Tuesday evening at the North Sydney Seniors and Pensioners Club organized by Cape Breton Regional Municipality councillor Charlie Keagan.

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http://www.capebretonpost.com/News/L...%2C000-prize/1

Sydney company wins $200,000 prize
Cape Breton-based Natural Oceans Products takes ocean technology sector award

Published on February 12, 2014

By Caelin Coleman
Special to the Cape Breton Post

SYDNEY — A Sydney-based company that protects against website and network attacks was named the provincial winner of a prestigious business competition.

Heimdall Networks was named overall winner of Innovacorp's I-3 Technology Start-Up Competition during an awards gala Wednesday in Halifax.

In addition to winning a $100,000 prize for having been selected the Cape Breton zone winner, Heimdall has received an additional $100,000 seed investment from Innovacorp to implement its marketing plan.

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http://www.capebretonpost.com/News/L...ad-its-wings/1

Caper Radio set to spread its wings

Published on February 12, 2014

Laura Jean Grant - Cape Breton Post

SYDNEY — A small but dedicated team is set to realize a big dream at Caper Radio.

After years of fundraising and countless hours of time put in by staff and volunteers, local radio listeners should be able to tune into the Cape Breton University-based station on their FM radio dial within the next year.

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[Smevo]

http://www.capebretonpost.com/News/L...-Canada-Plan/1

CBRM staff need a few days to analyze details in New Building Canada Plan
Infrastructure cash to flow to both big cities and small communities: Harper

Staff ~ The Cape Breton Post
Published on February 13, 2014

GORMLEY, Ont. (CP) — Prime Minister Stephen Harper lifted the veil Thursday on a $14-billion infrastructure fund that will offer provinces, cities and smaller communities access to eagerly anticipated federal money over the next 10 years.

The New Building Canada Fund, which was first announced in last year’s federal budget, will be available starting this spring.

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The Cape Breton Regional Municipality has been lobbying to have the federal government carry one-third of the cost of its five-year capital plan, which would see the municipality, province and Ottawa spend $160 million on core infrastructure owned by the CBRM, such as roads, sidewalks, replacing water lines and wastewater upgrades.

Christina Lamey, a spokeswoman for CBRM Mayor Cecil Clarke, said Thursday evening municipal staff would take a few days to analyze the details in the New Building Canada Plan, with the goal of making a presentation to council at Tuesday's monthly meeting.

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[Smevo]

http://www.capebretonpost.com/Living...ed-Pier-home/1

Phills, first black man to be awarded Order of Canada, called Pier home

Published on February 14, 2014

SYDNEY — When Isaac Phills (born Jan. 11, 1896, died March 9, 1985) was awarded the Order of Canada in Canada's centennial year of 1967, it was a significant honour for the man as well as his community.

Phills was born in dire poverty in the West Indies before coming to Canada. And while he may have a special place in Canadian history as the first black man to receive the prestigious honour, of equal significance was the role he played in showing his immigrant community of Whitney Pier — Cape Breton's historic "melting pot" — that any man, through hard work and determination, could overcome hardship and build a rich life for themselves and their families in a new land.

In short, Phills wasn't honoured for being a captain of industry or a well-known politician or athlete. He was recognized for the example he showed in building a good life for his family that saw his seven children all receive excellent educations and find their places in the world as ministers, doctors, teachers, chemists and nurses.

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[Smevo]

I really don't like that I've gotten to the point where I openly groan when I notice that Whalley's been contacted for a development story.

http://www.capebretonpost.com/News/L...medium=twitter

'There are a lot of people who are interested in this project'
Progress slow on negotiations of possible container terminal development, divestiture of

Chris Shannon
Published on February 16, 2014

SYDNEY — It’s all about timing, says John Whalley, the Cape Breton Regional Municipality’s economic development manager.

He said “there’s a few” companies that remain interested in establishing a container terminal in Sydney harbour, but noted several things have to happen first in the complicated process before a deal is realized.

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The CBRM favours a lease agreement so the municipality stays in control of the site, a valuable parcel of land on the harbour front near Sydport Industrial Park.

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Clarke was in Ottawa last week to work on a deal that would see Transport Canada divest its ownership in the harbour to the municipality.

It’s a process Clarke would like to see finalized within the next six weeks, he said.

“(Negotiations) are going very well. We’re in the final part of the process,” he said in an interview on Tuesday.

“Our objective is to come to a conclusion prior to March 31, and have an agreement in place between the federal government and ourselves, or with the province as part of it … but there’s a couple of avenues that have to be looked at and are being looked at, and once we get that detail, we’ll be able to go forward from there.”

In an interview with the Post on Jan. 17, Transport Minister Lisa Raitt said it was her goal to get the harbour in local hands as quickly as possible.

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Whatever entity takes over control of the harbour bottom from the federal government, it will no longer be able to charge harbour dues. Transport Canada currently collects dues from customers of the port, and that money is funnelled back to the federal government.

Under the Canada Marine Act, Transport Canada and Canada Port Authorities are the only agencies authorized to collect harbour dues.

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[Smevo]

Well, I can't say I didn't see this coming...the Cape Breton Post is going behind a paywall. 6 articles every 30 days, after that you have to become a subscriber. Honestly, I can't really say I disagree with this either, just means that updates may be coming more slowly to this thread from now on, and if they go the way I think they will, I won't be able to quote and link to the story after it's in effect.

http://www.capebretonpost.com/News/L...Post-website/1

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by Smevo

Well, I can't say I didn't see this coming...the Cape Breton Post is going behind a paywall. 6 articles every 30 days, after that you have to become a subscriber. Honestly, I can't really say I disagree with this either, just means that updates may be coming more slowly to this thread from now on, and if they go the way I think they will, I won't be able to quote and link to the story after it's in effect.

http://www.capebretonpost.com/News/L...Post-website/1

Too bad. At least the wall isn't completely impermeable like the Brunswick News one though. For the NB papers, there are no "free" articles at all, which I don't think is proper. Brunswick News should allow 10 free articles a month, like the New York Times or the Globe & Mail.

[Smevo]

http://www.capebretonpost.com/sectio...dget-meeting/1

Port development discussed at pre-budget meeting
Other issues included property tax assessments and equalization

Erin Pottie
Published on February 19, 2014


EAST BAY — Mayor Cecil Clarke said he's gearing up for a meeting to discuss shore power with a major cruise ship operator during a pre-budget consultation meeting here Wednesday.

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"It is incredible what it costs them for the diesel fuel to run the air conditioning and the machinery," said Patterson. "We were to have such an outlet or two outlets for our double berth, we would be much more attractive. That's a detail that which needs to be looked at within the larger context of port development and the timescale that that's feasible."

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While Halifax is already delivering shore power, Clarke said connecting cruise ships to a power outlet could increase tourism opportunities by 140,000 visitors.

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http://www.capebretonpost.com/News/L...capital-plan/1

Motion approved on five year capital plan

Published on February 19, 2014

SYDNEY - CBRM council approved a motion at Tuesday's council meeting accepting year one of a five-year capital plan that includes a street, underground and wastewater plan that will be submitted to the federal and provincial governments for inclusion into the federal and provincial capital budgets for 2014-15.


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