The Official Moncton, NB Project Thread

[JasonL-Moncton]

I hope they keep the ticket prices reasonable...and I mean REALLY reasonable...

[ErickMontreal]

How dangerous is uranium?
Geologist applauds NBers quest to gather facts concerns rise over uranium prospecting

By Brent Mazerolle
Times & Transcript Staff
Published Monday March 31st, 2008
Appeared on page A1

Has all this talk about uranium exploration in southeastern New Brunswick got you worried about radiation?

Then wear sunscreen, says Charlie Jefferson.

That's because standing in the sun exposes you to far more radiation than standing next to any drill hole or uranium mine.

"You're in much greater danger of cancer from the sun, absolutely," Jefferson, considered Canada's leading authority on uranium exploration, said this week.

Recent exploration for uranium and the prospect it might one day be mined in southeastern New Brunswick has led to some public alarm here, just as it has in other parts of the country. A rapid rise in the cost of the metal has led to increased prospecting.

Moncton city council has made a resolution to ban uranium mining in the Turtle Creek watershed, the Times & Transcript has supported the city's position in an editorial and citizens have been complaining to anyone who will listen. Last night a coalition of various citizen and environmental groups even held a public meeting on the issue at Moncton's Capitol Theatre.

A geologist with the Geological Survey of Canada, Jefferson applauded the news from Metro Moncton.

"These public meetings are good. You need to ask these questions," he said. Jefferson just hopes the talk shines more light than heat on the subject.

Despite the fear the word uranium can strike in the general public, it is little different from other base metals when it comes to mining. If you wouldn't want, say, a copper or zinc mine built around Metro Moncton, you likely wouldn't want a uranium mine either, but there's nothing about uranium mining that makes it any more threatening to the environment. Uranium in nature isn't even all that radioactive.

Meanwhile, "people don't realize there's radiation all around them," Jefferson said, adding people need to realize not all radiation is equal.

Take a scintillometer, a device that measures radioactivity, and drive to downtown Toronto where many buildings have granite facades. You'll get higher readings than you might find near uranium deposits. Yes, granite is radioactive too.

In fact, in a statement sure to startle many Moncton-area residents, UNB geologist Dr. David Lentz said this week the most significant radiation anomaly he has seen in New Brunswick is where granite is being quarried off Gorge Road. Lentz said Lutes Mountain rocks are four to five times more radioactive than most rocks in the province.

Before people start fleeing from the hills though, it's critical to note even this site is not radioactive to the extent we might picture, having been raised on tales of Pacific islands glowing from nuclear weapons testing. The gamma rays from the granite are too weak to penetrate the skin and don't represent any danger, said Dr. Lentz, who held a piece of granite to his arm as he explained this.

Two dangers that do exist from exploratory drilling are radon and radium. Radon is a gas, so though its gamma rays are also not capable of penetrating our skin, the gas can pose a serious health hazard when it gathers in our basements. Inhalation over time has an accumulative effect, but it dissipates easily into the air. Homeowners, especially in R-2000 homes, should frequently open basement windows and get their homes tested if they are concerned.

The idea that radon can be brought to the surface in a dangerous chimney effect because of exploratory drilling was dismissed. "The radon emitting from one drill hole is probably infinitessimal," Jefferson said. Meanwhile, if bringing radon to the surface through drilling was a concern, it would be whether the driller was looking for uranium or not. Nevertheless, few people get up in arms about drilling for water wells.

Speaking of water wells, there is concern dangerous amounts of naturally occurring radon or radium can find their way into them, regardless of whether anyone ever does any mineral exploration. The federal government has done extensive radon mapping of the entire nation and building codes across Canada vary to reflect some of these underground realities.

While exploratory drilling is done in search of profit for exploration companies, not as a public service, both scientists said the current exploration has potential to help landowners identify hazards they have been living with all along.

Another geologist consulted for this report said if he ever learned there was actually a high enough concentration of uranium under his home to justify commercial mining, he would want to know because of the radon gas that would naturally seep up through the earth, with or without human intervention.

That's not likely to happen around here though. All the geologists consulted for this story and previous published comments by employees of the Department of Natural Resources have suggested the chance of commercial uranium mining being done in New Brunswick ranges from one in 1,000 to one in 10,000.

A mining operation, if it did happen, wouldn't be like most of us would picture.

"In New Brunswick, you have disseminated uranium in sandstone in very low concentrations," Jefferson said. It would therefore be extracted using in-situ leaching, which uses a well field and hydrogeology to bring the uranium to the surface in solution and replace the solution with water. Within the wellfield area, there would, of course, be an effect on the hydrogeology beneath the wellfield. It would be done in a relatively confinced area on land bought by a mining company, not something done beneath homes far from a central site like you might find in other forms of mining.

Radium might be the biggest concern of uranium or any other exploration. Again, radium's gamma rays aren't a problem, says Lentz. "Radium on your skin does nothing, but ingesting it over time causes an accumulation that will cause leukemia and other problems for our white blood cells."

If a natural deposit of radium does get struck during drilling, straightforward technology could plug the hole.

The debate over uranium isn't likely to end any time soon. Most of us, even with reasonably good educations, find the search for the basic geology and chemistry concepts we learned in high school a long journey indeed. Even with access to top experts in the field, it takes time to re-learn much of what we think we know about uranium and radiation and the water table.

Without that access to experts, the journey is fraught with confusing detours and clouds of dust and travelled these days mostly on the Internet. There, one uranium industry lobby group touts how nuclear energy is "all-natural" like the sun, but ignores the fact none of us would want the surface of the sun in our backyards either.

On the other hand, several websites of the anti-uranium lobby over-emphasize sins of the industry that are more than a half-century old. Does the shameless exploitation of First Nations packers in the uranium exploration in the 1940s logically lead to the conclusion uranium mining in the 21st Century is reckless? The City of Moncton put its dump on a sensitive wetland and left it there for decades. Does that mean it would do it today?

A report by the B.C. College of Physicians that is critical of uranium mining and often cited by environmentalists was published almost three decades ago in 1980. It looked at a legacy that ran back decades before that. Are its findings still relevant?

While the Internet can provide some answers, it's tricky to decide which ones are true. That's why Charlie Jefferson emphasized this week it's time for the public to do what it can to get educated, time for them to look for opportunities to meet real experts.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Eagles to land in Metro Aug. 2
Opening acts for Magnetic Hill show to be unveiled today

By Brent Mazerolle
Times & Transcript Staff
Published Monday March 31st, 2008
Appeared on page A1

The rumour already reported coast-to-coast in this concert-crazed nation will finally come home to roost this afternoon.

Debra Rathwell of AEG Live and Donald K. Tarlton of Donald K. Donald have called a news conference for 1:30 this afternoon in Moncton at which time they are expected to confirm The Eagles will headline the 2008 Magnetic Hill Music Festival August 2..

While the promoters are expected to also unveil the names of at least some of the top-calibre opening acts for the event, the veil of secrecy surrounding the whole enterprise has been unlike anything seen here before in the concert business. It is easier to get a U.S. presidential candidate's passport information than it is to see who will take the stage in Moncton this summer.

Boxes of promotional materials were double taped and locked away, promoters' jaws were clamped tighter than a mussel you shouldn't eat, and the Grand Salon of the Delta Beauséjour Hotel was locked up tighter than a drum kit last night as the set-up began for today's big announcement.

Despite the secrecy, all signs nevertheless point to what is sure to be the biggest music event in the Maritimes since the Rolling Stones stormed Magnetic Hill in 2005.

Ian Fowler, the general manager of the City of Moncton's Recreation, Parks, Culture and Tourism department, has been better known around the Maritimes in recent years as "Moncton's concert czar." But he surrendered his title last night in mock disgrace under a grilling from the Times & Transcript.

"So much for the whole czar thing. They won't even tell me," Fowler said last night as he came from a dinner with the promoters. He even skirted the issue of confirming The Eagles were landing, even though most of the city's hotels are already booked.

Fowler told the Times & Transcript that all New Brunswickers are equally in the dark about the precise nature of the big announcement, if that's any consolation. Premier Shawn Graham, who is expected to take part in tomorrow's press conference, has asked him the same questions, and gotten the same answers.

"I just don't know," Folwer said.

The musical love that dare not speak its name -- at least until 1:30 this afternoon -- will be just the latest blast in an ongoing Moncton concert boom. Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen, George Jones and Anne Murray are all set for shows in coming months, and each should fill the Moncton Coliseum. An Eagles concert, especially with great opening acts, should draw crowds to surpass all those and many of the year's other concerts combined.

[kirjtc2]

Magic 104's website is now saying that it's confirmed and other acts will include John Fogerty, KT Tunstall and Sam Roberts.

http://magic104.ca/concerts.asp?id=19

I love the Eagles, loved CCR, love KT and can tolerate Sam. I may just go to this thing.

[mmmatt]

Magic 104's website is now saying that it's confirmed and other acts will include John Fogerty, KT Tunstall and Sam Roberts.

http://magic104.ca/concerts.asp?id=19

I love the Eagles, loved CCR, love KT and can tolerate Sam. I may just go to this thing.

WOOO! AWESOME :D :cheers:

[JasonL-Moncton]

The 'other' acts are kind of disappointing....

$125 bucks! (110 if you get it early)...that seems STEEP!

[mmmatt]

The 'other' acts are kind of disappointing....

$125 bucks! (110 if you get it early)...that seems STEEP!

I would pay 125 just for the Eagles, so thats fine...Sam is OK...I dont know what to expect from John...is it just gonna be him singing by himself? or will he have a new band? haha...either way its all worth it for the Eagles man!! :D

[mylesmalley]

The Stones were around the same price. $300 or something for VIP tickets, too. I think I paid 80$ to see the Hip when they came to Freddy in September.

As far as big concerts go, 125$ isn't all that bad.

[ErickMontreal]

The Stones were around the same price. $300 or something for VIP tickets, too. I think I paid 80$ to see the Hip when they came to Freddy in September.

As far as big concerts go, 125$ isn't all that bad.

Agreed. Moreover,both the owners of hotels and restaurants will enjoy those shows !:yes:

[mmmatt]

haha I was browsing the web about Moncton and the Eagles...there are like 15 media outlets that carried the story so far (Canadian Press, CBC, CTV, Yahoo Canada, basically all papers east of Montreal and many more)...Not only are these huge concerts great for the economy they are also a great way to get our name out there.

I was looking on Eagles fan sites and everyone is like "Where the heck is Moncton" haha...I commented on a few, mentioning a few facts and reffering people to the Wiki article.

Moncton is the only Canadian tour date on the Eagles schedule, so people from out west (like Winnipeg and Vancouver) are upset thet they arent going out there, people from Vancouver jealous of Moncton??? its unheard of :P

[Smevo]

haha I was browsing the web about Moncton and the Eagles...there are like 15 media outlets that carried the story so far (Canadian Press, CBC, CTV, Yahoo Canada, basically all papers east of Montreal and many more)...Not only are these huge concerts great for the economy they are also a great way to get our name out there.

I was looking on Eagles fan sites and everyone is like "Where the heck is Moncton" haha...I commented on a few, mentioning a few facts and reffering people to the Wiki article.

Moncton is the only Canadian tour date on the Eagles schedule, so people from out west (like Winnipeg and Vancouver) are upset thet they arent going out there, people from Vancouver jealous of Moncton??? its unheard of :P

:haha: Careful Matt, Stanzi or d40 are going to accuse you of Moncton boosting. :haha:

$125 is definitely worth it for me for the Eagles and Fogarty. KT Tunstall is interesting, I'm still trying to decide whether I like her or not, and Sam Roberts is tolerable, so I'm definitely going to try to make it to this one! :tup:

[JasonL-Moncton]

I guess the reason I am saying it's steep is because I checked some other tour locations and there are tickets for $65 available...

[kwajo]

I guess the reason I am saying it's steep is because I checked some other tour locations and there are tickets for $65 available...
There's an added surcharge that covers you in case your car gets magically pulled up the hill ;)

[JasonL-Moncton]

There's an added surcharge that covers you in case your car gets magically pulled up the hill ;)

LOL...they that should be rebated if you don't take your car (which I never have) :tup:

JL

[ErickMontreal]

Convention centre would benefit downtown: survey
Downtown Moncton business owners believe parking is area's most serious issue

By Yvon Gauvin
Times & Transcript staff
Published Tuesday April 1st, 2008
Appeared on page C2

A convention centre or casino in Moncton's downtown would prove a tremendous impetus for economic growth and the future of the downtown core, says a senior official with Downtown Moncton Centre-ville Inc.

They would be catalysts for other investors in an already vibrant downtown setting, explained Maura McKinnon, president of Downtown Moncton Centre-ville Inc.

These major proposals would have a really positive impact on the downtown core, she said yesterday. It's also reassuring that the three municipalities of Moncton, Dieppe and Riverview remain committed for a convention centre for Moncton sensing that everyone would benefit.

DMCI is also developing strategies for an expanded downtown core which now includes part of St. George Street retailers. It's all very exciting, said McKinnon. The expansion at the request of St. George Street merchants shows confidence in the downtown organization and future potential.

The downtown has 13,000 employees and 500 businesses.

What it doesn't always have is parking spaces.

Parking was a top priority in the DMCI's 2008 Outlook Survey: A Downtown Perspective released yesterday.

The survey was conducted in February and responded to by 100 property owners. It was an opportunity for the people to voice their opinion and for DMCI to set future direction.

"We value the opinions of the downtown property owners and we will certainly incorporate their ideas in our strategic planning," said McKinnon.

Almost everyone who answered the survey said they believe a convention centre would have an impact on Moncton's future growth. DMCI has been a strong advocate for a downtown convention centre for the past 4 years.

By contrast, only 56 per cent of the respondents said they were in favour of a casino in the downtown core compared to 51 per cent in 2002.

The vast majority felt that parking remains the most important downtown issue for business.

People genuinely believe that the parking situation downtown is problematic, said the survey.

The Downtown Moncton Parking Advisory Committee and DMCI, is looking at the arking situation.

The survey also found a higher percentage of respondents (92 per cent compared to 88 per cent in 2003) were satisfied or very satisfied with Moncton's downtown core as a place to operate a business.

[JasonL-Moncton]

Another place they need to build a parking structure is at the Moncton Hospital, that whole main parking lot needs to be built up into a massive multi-level parking structure that once you park you never have to go outside again to get into the hospital.

[mylesmalley]

Another place they need to build a parking structure is at the Moncton Hospital, that whole main parking lot needs to be built up into a massive multi-level parking structure that once you park you never have to go outside again to get into the hospital.

I remember talk of that when they first started discussions on the expansion. A lot of residents were opposed to it because a parking structure would 'ruin the view'.

[mylesmalley]

Major housing, golf development proposed for Albert County
Land owners discuss plan with Irish developers

by dwayne tingley
times & transcript staff
Published Tuesday April 1st, 2008
Appeared on page A3
NEW HORTON - European developers have a plan to convert a rolling tract of rural land in the heart of Albert County, about 20 kilometres from Fundy National Park, into a lavish resort that would include expensive homes and a championship golf course while maintaining "a sense of wilderness."

Approximately a dozen landowners from the New Horton-Midway area, 80 kilometres from Moncton, have discussed the proposed development with a group of investors from Ireland. The same investors dropped their resort plans for the Elgin-Penobsquis area last year when they could not secure funding.

Fred Waddy, one of the landowners, said yesterday he's confident the project will be successful, but, once again, the developers are having trouble getting financing.

Waddy, a 59-year-old dairy farmer and woodlot owner from Colpitts Settlement, said international markets are unstable and most banks "aren't willing to take a chance and try something new."

However, he predicted the Irish investors will be eager to proceed with the project when market conditions improve.

The landowners have met representatives from the New Brunswick government, including officials with the departments of environment and parks and tourism to discuss the proposal.

They've also met with the Albert County Tourism Association, Enterprise Fundy, a regional development agency, the Sheopdy Fish and Game Association, several business operators in the area and the mayors of Alma, Riverside-Albert, Hillsborough and Riverview.

"Everyone recognizes this part of the province needs something positive because the forestry industry, which has been the backbone of Albert County forever, is in a depression and it shows no signs of bouncing back," Waddy said.

"I'd say 95 per cent of the people we talked to want us to move forward. You'll never have 100 per cent of the people behind you no matter what you try, but most people have been very supportive."

The first phase of the development would be the construction of 200 luxury homes, which will sell for approximately 500,000 euros each or about $750,000. Waddy said Europeans are eager to buy homes in such a pristine area and they would have no problem selling 200 homes. There could, in fact, be a market for 1,000 such homes, he predicted.

Most homes would be built along a ridge near New Horton Lake and would feature views of the lake or the Bay of Fundy in the distance. The region has been recognized by UNESCO as a world biosphere site.

"It will be an impressive development with the homes, golf course and other recreational facilities, but it will all be done in an environmentally-friendly way to recognize the wilderness and the natural beauty of the area," Waddy said.

He said the Irish developers took almost 200 deposits on their development in the Elgin-Penobsquis area before they had to abandon the plan.

The Irish group is in touch with Waddy every week or two in order to discuss their Albert County proposal and they haven't given up.

"We're a little further behind than we expected at this point," Waddy said. "It would have been nice to be selling homes at this stage, but we all have to be patient for the world economy to take an upturn."

A department of tourism and parks spokeswoman in Fredericton said the situation is being monitored closely and everything "is still very preliminary."

I doubt this will ever happen - the developers seem kinda shady - but if it did, it could mean a lot more money flowing in to Albert co and Moncton as the closest big city and airport.

[kwajo]

I doubt this will ever happen - the developers seem kinda shady - but if it did, it could mean a lot more money flowing in to Albert co and Moncton as the closest big city and airport.
This developer was extremely shady in the way they went about the Elgin project, and unless they've changed their ways, I'd rather not see this go through. The Fundy coast (the National Park and the area to its West, all the way to St. Martins and on to Cape Spencer) stands as one of the the greatest natural areas in the world, and frankly I'd rather keep development as far away from it as possible. I'm a pro-development kind of guy, but not when it comes anywhere near to my most beloved of all wilderness (while we're at it, let's reduce the logging operations down there too :P).

[kirjtc2]

I guess my big problem with this project is that it may set a precedent for future projects, where rich foreigners gobble up all the most scenic properties and shut locals out. Look what's been happening in Nova Scotia or around Bar Harbour.

[mylesmalley]

I guess my big problem with this project is that it may set a precedent for future projects, where rich foreigners gobble up all the most scenic properties and shut locals out. Look what's been happening in Nova Scotia or around Bar Harbour.

The east coast, from Cape Tormentine all the way up to miramichi is dotted with towns, villages, and huge cottage communities. Why is it that the Fundy shore, which IMHO has much nicer scenery is largely undeveloped. Granted, the land is a lot rockier there, but would that really slow developers down that much?

As for the Elgin project. I think what really did them in was the locals. Nobody seemed to want all that land (which was owned by Irving and eventually doomed to be clearcut) to get turned into a country club.

I think the important thing here is, a project worth well into the hundreds of millions is being proposed which could create hundreds of construction and dozens of permanent jobs in an area that could certainly use some. It could be bad for the area, but it doesn't have to be necessarily. They claim to want to keep the rustic-ness going.

Frankly, couldn't be any worse than an oil refinery and LNG plant...
(I'm gonna get mail for that one...)

[JasonL-Moncton]

I remember talk of that when they first started discussions on the expansion. A lot of residents were opposed to it because a parking structure would 'ruin the view'.

The view of what? The Hospital?

JL

[gehrhardt]

The view of what? The Hospital?

JL

I think it must be the vast field of cars in all shapes, sizes, and colours. The way the sun glints off of all the glass and chrome must be beautiful. :haha: Honestly, how could a 2 or 3 storey parking structure be worse than that big lot? It's too bad parking wasn't addressed in the recent expansion.

The parking situation really needs to be addressed at that hospital. Late in the evening and early in the morning are the only times I haven't seen the "FULL" sign in the parking attendant's booth. I don't even try anymore. I just park for free a couple of streets over and walk.

[JasonL-Moncton]

I think it must be the vast field of cars in all shapes, sizes, and colours. The way the sun glints off of all the glass and chrome must be beautiful. :haha: Honestly, how could a 2 or 3 storey parking structure be worse than that big lot? It's too bad parking wasn't addressed in the recent expansion.

The parking situation really needs to be addressed at that hospital. Late in the evening and early in the morning are the only times I haven't seen the "FULL" sign in the parking attendant's booth. I don't even try anymore. I just park for free a couple of streets over and walk.

I don't know how many times I've 'circled' that area to find parking, it's crazy.

[ErickMontreal]

Downtown Moncton frustrated by lingering development puzzle
Justice building, casino, arena and convention centre ideas hang in the air as time passes

http://harvest.canadaeast.com/image.php?id=110714&size=400x0
Daniel Allain, executive director of Downtown Moncton Inc., says it's time to stop walking the line on redeveloping the area behind Main Street and just get on with it.

BY ALAN COCHRANE
TIMES & TRANSCRIPT STAFF
Published Thursday April 3rd, 2008
Appeared on page A7

With Moncton's new justice centre still several months away from construction, business and property owners are getting frustrated and tired of waiting for governments to make decisions on major downtown development projects.

"We are poised for development downtown but this waiting is very painful for businesses and property owners," Downtown Moncton Centre-Ville executive director Daniel Allain said yesterday. "Right now there are all these components -- the new courthouse, a casino and convention centre, and maybe a new arena for downtown -- but all these plans are hanging in the air and waiting for decisions from government. All these projects can be lured into our downtown core, but we need decisions before we can move forward."

Jack Keir, minister of Supply and Services, said yesterday the final proposal call for the new Moncton justice centre will go to the four developers in mid-April.

"By late spring or early summer, we should be able to pick a winner and move forward," Keir said. "Whenever you are doing an RFP (request for proposals), you want to do it right, not quick."

Despite the fact that the justice centre is a go-ahead, there is still much speculation of how it will fit in with the other pieces of the downtown development puzzle.

That leaves property and business owners who want to invest, renovate and expand sitting on their own plans for the future.

"We need a draw for our downtown, like they have in Halifax or St. John's or Montreal," said Gilles Maltais, owner of the Creek Seafood Restaurant on Robinson Street. "A convention centre, casino and arena would be huge for us."

Maltais said facilities like the Halifax Metro Centre or Saint John Harbour Station bring people into the downtown for sports and entertainment events, and that business spills over into the surrounding restaurants, bars and other services.

"We've been talking about a convention centre downtown for 10 years but it hasn't happened," said Maltais, who has delayed investing more money into his restaurant until he knows what's going to happen. "Moncton is growing but there are businesses that are shutting down because nobody is making decisions."

Allain said DMCI board members and member businesses are frustrated with delays and hungry for development to help them grow. He points to the early success of the new Sobeys and NB Liquor outlet at the corner of Main and Vaughan Harvey as an proof that if you build it, the customers will come. The new Gunningsville Bridge, Assomption Boulevard and other infrastructure built around the downtown in recent years has provided easy access by car, bike and by foot.

Several new buildings have been constructed and the new Marriott hotel is near completion. There is also talk of building a new police station downtown. But there are also large tracts of open land -- notably the former Beaver Lumber property -- sitting vacant and waiting for development.

The provincial government is currently mulling over two major projects that could go into Downtown Moncton -- the justice centre and a casino. The Department of Supply and Services announced in January it was preparing to move forward with a request for proposals on the new justice centre building. A spokeswoman for the department said yesterday all the documents have to be thoroughly examined before the province can move forward with the plan.

Four private developers will be asked to submit detailed proposals, one of whom will be given the contract. The final site for the new courthouse won't be announced until the developer is identified, which is expected later this spring. Construction is expected to begin in late summer of this year.

The new state-of-the-art courthouse will house 15 courtrooms and court staff as well as sheriff services, victim services, probation offices, family support services, Crown prosecutors and a law library. It is expected to be completed in 2009-2010. Moving Moncton's court system into a new building would free up space inside the downtown Assomption building.

The provincial government is also collecting proposals to build and operate a casino somewhere in New Brunswick. Allain is hoping it will be located in downtown Moncton. A survey of downtown business owners released earlier this week indicated 56 per cent are in favour of a casino in the downtown core. But there is no guarantee it will be located in Moncton. Finance Minister Victor Boudreau says the winning proposal will be announced sometime in May.

The city has been mulling over the idea of a convention centre for more than 10 years now, but the plans have hinged on whether Moncton gets a casino.

The idea of a downtown metro centre -- perhaps similar to the Halifax Metro Centre or Saint John's Harbour Station -- is also gaining momentum.

City council has set aside $50,000 for a feasibility study on a new sports/entertainment complex, which would complement and not replace the existing Moncton Coliseum. Moncton City Council voted in December to set aside $50,000 in its 2008 budget for a feasibility study on a downtown metro centre. The recent CityThink 2008 survey commissioned by the Times & Transcript showed public support for such a facility at close to 90 per cent.

So, with all these projects hanging in the air, how do they all fit together?

Allain points to large chunks of downtown land ready for development. The former Beaver Lumber property (behind Assomption Place), the Hollis Lincoln Mercury property (on Main Street across from the RCMP headquarters), the old Sobeys space in Highfield Square are all prime spots for something new. There is also space near the Via Rail station and behind the McSweeney Building where Club 700 is located. That space is conveniently wedged between the Blue Cross Centre, the downtown market and new high-end condominiums constructed a few years ago. There's also space that would be left open if and when the provincial jail is replaced.

"It's hard for us to move forward on the arena and convention centre without knowing where the casino and courthouse will go," Allain said. "People are not going to put any money into their properties until they know where they stand."

Many designs and drawings have been completed over the years, but Allain isn't sure how the pieces will all come together. For example, will there be enclosed pedways so people can walk from their hotel rooms directly to the convention centre, casino or arena without going outside? Or will the downtown farmer's market be changed into something that helps bring the pieces together?

"The province has two major decisions to make that will affect where we go with development over the next few years."

Ian Fowler, the general manager of the City of Moncton's Recreation, Parks, Culture and Tourism department, said there's not much the city can do but sit and wait for the first pieces of the puzzle to come together.

He said the city has no say in where the justice centre or casino will be located, since they are both under the control of the provincial government.

"The selected proponents will decide which piece of land will be used, and we'll have to take it from there," Fowler said. "There's a lot of space for a lot of development, and hopefully a couple of the dominos will fall this year, and we'll have to see where we go from there. I know there's a lot of people frustrated but there's not much we can do until then."
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Metro Moncton's minorities on the rise
Latest census info shows number of visible minorities growing in Moncton but well below Canadian average

By Craig Babstock
Times & Transcript Staff
Published Thursday April 3rd, 2008
Appeared on page A3

The visible minority population in Metro Moncton grew more than almost every other region of the province between 2001 and 2006.

But despite the growth, this community's visible minority population is still a tiny fraction of the total population. According to 2006 census data released yesterday by Statistics Canada, approximately two per cent of people in the census metropolitan area of Moncton are part of a visible minority group. That's 2,425 people out of a total population of 124,060, which is up 60 per cent from 2001.

"That's quite a bit lower than (the national figures)," says Marc Melanson, regional advisor for Statistics Canada. "Moncton is like most centres in Atlantic Canada, where visible minority populations tend to be a very small part of the population."

Moncton and New Brunswick actually have the same proportion of members of visible minority groups at two per cent.

Visible minorities make up a higher percentage of Fredericton's (4.4 per cent) and Saint John's (3.1 per cent) populations. Bathurst actually led the province in growth amongst visible minorities, at a 131 per cent between 2001-06, but that's actually not that big an increase, given the new total is 300 people.

Melanson says when considering increases or decreases in any Atlantic Canadian region, the percentages can be deceptive because the numbers are so small.

The largest visible minority population in Moncton as of 2006 is black (1,035), followed by South Asian (355), Chinese (295), Filipino (100), Latin American (95) and Southeast Asian (65). South Asian includes East Indian, Pakistani and Sri Lankan, while Southeast Asian includes Vietnamese, Cambodian, Malaysian, Laotian and other ethnicities.

A total of 41 per cent of the visible minority population in the Moncton region was born in Canada.

Melanson says it's no surprise to see the small number of visible minorities -- defined as persons, other than Aboriginal peoples, who are non-Caucasian in race or non-white in colour -- in Atlantic Canada. Larger cities have always had greater concentrations of visible minorities. For example, in Toronto, 42.9 per cent of the population (2.17 million people) is part of a visible minority population.

Canada reached a new benchmark in the 2006 census, when 5.07 million reported being a member of a visible minority group, up from just under four million in 2001. That makes up 16.2 per cent of Canada's population, which is far higher than the two per cent in New Brunswick and Moncton.

"Immigration is the biggest driver of Canadian population growth," says Melanson.

South Asians have now passed the Chinese as the largest visible minority group in the country.

The census data also contains information about the work and education of visible minorities.

In the Moncton area, visible minorities had a lower employment rate than non-visible minorities -- 62.1 per cent compared to 64.1 per cent. A total of 42.5 per cent of visible minorities attained at least a high school education and 38.2 per cent had a university certificate or degree. For non-visible minorities, the figures were 57.8 per cent and 19.1 per cent.

Besides information on visible minorities, the census also asked people about their ethnic origin.

The response from the Moncton region again shows how people's concept of their ethnicity is changing -- 52.1 per cent identified their ethnic background to be at least partly Canadian. That compares to 46.3 whose origins were British and 32.0 who listed French -- Canada's two founding cultures.

n With files from The Canadian Press.

[mylesmalley]

One thing I wonder. Say the provincial government choses a certain community for the casino. Is that proposal then supposed to go through city council for their approval?Or does it just happen? The quote up top from Ian Folwer implies that they don't have any say in the matter, though it seems odd the city wouldn't be able to put their two cents in.

Frankly, I hope it isn't up to the city, 'cause they'll just screw it up. But yeah...

[mmmatt]

All I can say to that is the casino better be downtown...so much rides on it at this point

[mmmatt]

Website for the 2009 world curling champoinship is up:

http://www.seasonofchampions.ca/2009FWMCC_Splash.html

They have a new logo, it says "50" because 2009 is the 50th anniversary of the World Curling Championships, from 1959 – 2009. :D

[ErickMontreal]

All I can say to that is the casino better be downtown...so much rides on it at this point

Agreed. That could be quite annoying as well as depressing to see it being built at the edge of the town no matter what they could proposed.

Casino belongs Downtown, not in subur.

[mylesmalley]

Website for the 2009 world curling champoinship is up:

http://www.seasonofchampions.ca/2009FWMCC_Splash.html

They have a new logo, it says "50" because 2009 is the 50th anniversary of the World Curling Championships, from 1959 – 2009. :D

Thanks for posting that, Mat!

From the looks of it, the Go Moncton! page could use a real update. For starters, it says you can fly to Moncton with Air Nova AND Canada3000! Plus, no mention of Continental.

From the copyright, it might not have been updated since 01. Quite a bit has changed since then. If nothing else, they shoudl really add something about Fox Creek and the new airport terminal.

[ErickMontreal]

According to "Out and About"
KEEP YOUR EYES OPEN! NEW CAFE OPENING SOON!

Word on the street is that a new café will be opening soon in the former Joe Moka location on Main Street. More details should be available in the near future.

[mmmatt]

According to "Out and About"
KEEP YOUR EYES OPEN! NEW CAFE OPENING SOON!

Word on the street is that a new café will be opening soon in the former Joe Moka location on Main Street. More details should be available in the near future.

cool...too bad about Joe Moca...they were cool

[mmmatt]

Thanks for posting that, Mat!

From the looks of it, the Go Moncton! page could use a real update. For starters, it says you can fly to Moncton with Air Nova AND Canada3000! Plus, no mention of Continental.

From the copyright, it might not have been updated since 01. Quite a bit has changed since then. If nothing else, they shoudl really add something about Fox Creek and the new airport terminal.

Yeah GoMoncton needs a facelift...theres so much new stuff thats happened since 2001, new festivals, new airport, population increase etc etc...these things need to be added in...I should e-mail them

[ErickMontreal]

Customs issue costs airport N.Y. flights
Moncton airport still waiting for decision on after-hours staff

By MARC HUDON
Times & Transcript Staff
Published Saturday April 5th, 2008
Appeared on page A1

OTTAWA - Moncton has lost its chance at a second daily direct flight to New York because the airport still doesn't have the customs staff to process passengers arriving from international destinations, says the CEO of the Greater Moncton International Airport.

"I'm as frustrated as anybody," said Rob Robichaud.

"Continental Airlines can't afford to put a second flight in until we get that issue resolved."

The air carrier has to pay $200,000 a year to hire after-hours customs staff at the Moncton airport, while passenger-processing services in Halifax are paid for by the federal government, said Robichaud.

He said officials with the U.S.-based airline's route planning division recently informed him of the decision via e-mail.

The Canada Border Services Agency staffs the Moncton international airport weekdays between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., while Halifax receives dedicated, 24-hour a day customs service.

That means international carriers that want to do business with the airport must try to schedule arrivals during those times or pay supplemental fees to have Canada customs officers attend to passengers, said Robichaud.

He said the six-year-long staffing concern was raised during a summer meeting in Moncton with Prime Minister Stephen Harper.

The issue was expected to be resolved, pending the release of a report by the Canada Border Services Agency about customs staffing requirements at points of entry across Canada.

The report, which was expected before the end of 2007, has yet to be released.

"It's time that we drag Mr. Alain Jolicoeur, who is president of the Canada Border Services Agency, onto the stage and shine a light on him and ask him specifically, 'Who gave you the power to determine who (gets) the Canada Border Services Agency services, and why is it that only large communities in Canada get 24-7 service and the rest of us are left to wither on the vine,' " said Robichaud.

Calls placed to the Canada Border Services Agency yesterday were directed to the office of Public Safety Minister Stockwell Day.

In an e-mail to the Times & Transcript, Day said: "The CBSA is continuing with a core services review to establish a service delivery approach that is fair, transparent and flexible."

Fredericton International Airport CEO David Innes, whose airport faces similar challenges, said it's time for the federal government to step up to the plate.

"The Canada Border Services Agency clusters their services at the major centres," he said, adding the Fredericton airport is supported by customs officers only on weekdays during regular business hours. "This is an important economic issue."

He said the airport, which provided twice-daily direct flights to Boston for more than four years, paid $15,000 a month for after-hours customs services.

Innes said the issue will become more dire when Air Transat begins once-a-week direct trans-Atlantic flights between the New Brunswick capital and Gatwick airport near London in May.

Jim Facette of the Canadian Airports Council said passenger-processing needs at some of Canada's smaller international airports could be addressed if the federal government showed more flexibility. "Moncton has the better part of eight hours of service," he said. "If you add eight more hours, 16 hours are great, and it may suit their needs. But if you can turn that dial and start the service at a different time and end it at a different time, it could very well serve Moncton's needs in terms of its cargo traffic and its customs traffic."

[mylesmalley]

Just another example of how the Federal Government doesn't give a flying f*** about what happens outside of their half dozen 'pet cities': Halifax, Montreal, Toronto, Ottawa, Edmonton, Calgary, and Vancouver.

[mmmatt]

Theres a new 4 storey building going to be buillt right on the corner of vaughn harvey and main...sign says Ashford on it, building looks really good, lots of glass...The sign was just put up today, check it out if you have a minute!

Ill take a picture if I get a chance

[ErickMontreal]

Theres a new 4 storey building going to be buillt right on the corner of vaughn harvey and main...sign says Ashford on it, building looks really good, lots of glass...The sign was just put up today, check it out if you have a minute!

Ill take a picture if I get a chance

Great news. Actually, they are involved in handful projects around the city (Courthouse, Casino, power center and now this project). They also bought the 100 Cameron St.

Thank you Matt

[mmmatt]

Great news. Actually, they are involved in handful projects around the city (Courthouse, Casino, power center and now this project). They also buy the 100 Cameron St.

Thank you Matt

Yeah not a problem...tell you the truth this building will really clean up that corner, it will make a big impact on that area, which is great cause I live basically across the street! haha :D Ill be able to post lots of pics of the construction...which will be this summer hopefully :cheers:

So now two of the four corners are developed with sobeys and this building...just two more to go! :tup:

[ErickMontreal]

Yeah not a problem...tell you the truth this building will really clean up that corner, it will make a big impact on that area, which is great cause I live basically across the street! haha :D Ill be able to post lots of pics of the construction...which will be this summer hopefully :cheers:

So now two of the four corners are developed with sobeys and this building...just two more to go! :tup:

Alright ! :haha:

Is it on the CN land ?

[mmmatt]

Alright ! :haha:

Is it on the CN land ?

Nope on the corner where that insurance building is with the round face.

[ErickMontreal]

This is a great looking glass-building, looks like higher for a 4-story building.

It will be more higher than larger, I like it.

[mmmatt]

This is a great looking glass-building, looks like higher for a 4-story building.

It will be more higher than larger, I like it.

So you saw the sign I assume? I think it looks great, I didnt look at the sign up close (I was across the street) but from where I was standing it did look quite tall for 4 stories...the render makes it look huge next to the two storey building next to it (round face one).

[ErickMontreal]

So you saw the sign I assume? I think it looks great, I didnt look at the sign up close (I was across the street) but from where I was standing it did look quite tall for 4 stories...the render makes it look huge next to the two storey building next to it (round face one).

Yeah, I went to the grocerie in downtown to see it. :haha:

I counted 4 stories maybe 5 so it is hard to say exactly , both times I passed by I was through the traffic. It looks like a bit "Mercantile Place " in SJ .

To me, it seem to be as high as BMO and Marriott hotel.

[mylesmalley]

Excellent news. They must have just put up teh sign. I drove by there about two hours ago and didnt' see anything. Wasnt' really looking all that hard though.

Does it have a big setback? I didn't think there was a whole lot of land to build there.

[ErickMontreal]

Does it have a big setback? I didn't think there was a whole lot of land to build there.

I did not see any setback, it gonna be right in front the boulevard.

[ErickMontreal]

Moreover, I saw a "Collier" sign on the Tim Horton parking located right in front Highfield Square, the land is currently for sale.

Good new, I will be happy if they could get rid that place. Its a great spot for something more appealing.

[ErickMontreal]

Ashford Properties - Downtown Office
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3173/2390980080_e530376466.jpg

[mylesmalley]

Ashford Properties - Downtown Office
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3173/2390980080_e530376466.jpg

The lot's actually a lot bigger than that. They realigned Vaughan Harvey to connect to the bridge more directly. It's probably a hundred feet further to the east now.

[mmmatt]

The lot's actually a lot bigger than that. They realigned Vaughan Harvey to connect to the bridge more directly. It's probably a hundred feet further to the east now.

Yeah its a bit bigger now...but from the looks of it this new building will fill it up very nicely! :D

[ErickMontreal]

I forgot, the building going to start spring 2009.

[mmmatt]

Moreover, I saw a "Collier" sign on the Tim Horton parking located right in front Highfield Square, the land is currently for sale.

Good new, I will be happy if they could get rid that place. Its a great spot for something more appealing.

AWESOME! If that lot is developed it would be great! I hope development keeps up downtown, we need to work on getting some density...I dont mind if we dont have a bunch of tall buildings, but the empty lots need to go. Tall is nice...density is better...you go to amsterdam and its awesome and super vibrant, but there are no buildings over 5 floors.

[mmmatt]

I forgot, the building going to start spring 2009.

aw...too bad, something to look forward to for next summer I guess :)

[mmmatt]

Little known fact, Moncton has the highest life expectancy east of Ottawa

http://www.besthealthmag.ca/uploads/filemanager/citychart.pdf

[ErickMontreal]

AWESOME! If that lot is developed it would be great! I hope development keeps up downtown, we need to work on getting some density...I dont mind if we dont have a bunch of tall buildings, but the empty lots need to go. Tall is nice...density is better...you go to amsterdam and its awesome and super vibrant, but there are no buildings over 5 floors.

A multi-use complex apartment/office (4 to 8-story) could be suitable on this land.

Development for Downtown

Marriott - 2007/2008
Courthouse - 2008/2009
Convention Center/Casino (Conditionnal) / Hotel (2008-2010)
Highfield Square redevlopment - 2008/2009
Ashford Office - 2009/2010
Arena - 2009/2010

[ErickMontreal]

Downtown Moncton
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3009/2390003283_e73ac80624_b.jpg

http://www.flickr.com/photos/stephen_downes/

[mmmatt]

nice picture! really shows the impact of the Marriott when looking from Dieppe

looks like it was taken today haha, what a rainy ugly day

[ErickMontreal]

nice picture! looks like it was taken today haha, what a rainy ugly day

Although the weather was ugly I really like this one, from that angle Moncton looks dense.

[mmmatt]

Although the weather was ugly I really like this one, from that angle Moncton looks dense.

Its a beautiful illusion to be sure! :haha:

You're right though Ive noticed the city looks very dense from this vantage point however you need a good zoom to get a nice picture of it like this one...we should ask him to take another when its a nice day! :D

[ErickMontreal]

Its a beautiful illusion to be sure! :haha:

You're right though Ive noticed the city looks very dense from this vantage point however you need a good zoom to get a nice picture of it like this one...we should ask him to take another when its a nice day! :D

Well, I will ask him if they want to take another shot from that point.

If "Heritage Properties" wins the bid, that could increase the density along Main because the land they propose is far smaller than Beaver Lumber land. The building could get 5-story and more. We could see another building appear from that vintage point in the next months.

[mmmatt]

Well, I will ask him if they want to take another shot from that point.

If "Heritage Properties" wins the bid, that could increase the density along Main because the land they propose is far smaller than Beaver Lumber land. The building could get 5-story and more. We could see another building appear from that vintage point in the next months.

Indeed, we can hope :)

Also I looked over page 1 of this thread, havent done it in a while, all I can say is LOOKING GOOD! :D we're on a roll to say the least, add the new 4 storey building proposal on there and its a pretty good looking few years of development :cheers:

[ErickMontreal]

Indeed, we can hope :)

Also I looked over page 1 of this thread, havent done it in a while, all I can say is LOOKING GOOD! :D we're on a roll to say the least, add the new 4 storey building proposal on there and its a pretty good looking few years of development :cheers:

Yeah, if the Courthouse starts this year and if the Casino/Convention Center end up downtown as well as the Arena feasibility study appears conclusive, the next months/years would be quite busy downtown. I`m not talking about Highfield Square and Ashford properties projects.

Morever, I forgot my camera in Quebec, if you passing by, could you just take a shot of the Ashford project.

[mylesmalley]

One of my favorite views of the city is of the Moncton Hospital as seen from Morton Avenue by the university. It's a totally ridiculous comparison, but it always reminds me of the palace in Lhasa, Tibet. Just how you have this huge red brick building high on top of a fairly tall hill with houses down at the bottom. Call me a nerd, whatever.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/81/Potala_from_W.jpg

[mmmatt]

Yeah, if the Courthouse starts this year and if the Casino/Convention Center end up downtown as well as the Arena feasibility study appears conclusive, the next months/years would be quite busy downtown. I`m not talking about Highfield Square and Ashford properties projects.

Morever, I forgot my camera in Quebec, if you passing by, could you just take a shot of the Ashford project.

Yeah Ill see if I can snap a pic tomorrow on my way to work...if I can find my camera that is haha

[mmmatt]

One of my favorite views of the city is of the Moncton Hospital as seen from Morton Avenue by the university. It's a totally ridiculous comparison, but it always reminds me of the palace in Lhasa, Tibet. Just how you have this huge red brick building high on top of a fairly tall hill with houses down at the bottom. Call me a nerd, whatever.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/81/Potala_from_W.jpg

I can see the resembalance...:koko:

hahaha just kiddin, yeah I always loved that view too, I have so many views I need to capture on "film" (sounds too cheesy to say capture on SD card)...This summer I need to do a few photo trips around the city.

[mylesmalley]

Haha
Hey, I never said it wasn't a stretch...
but next time you're driving down Morton, think about it.

[mmmatt]

Took a pic of the sign for the new building today, but Im at work...so Ill post it up tomorrow :P

[ErickMontreal]

Took a pic of the sign for the new building today, but Im at work...so Ill post it up tomorrow :P

Alright, Thank you ! From a closer perspective ,do you still like it ?

[mmmatt]

Alright, Thank you ! From a closer perspective ,do you still like it ?

Oh yes! very much so :D it looks great, its right up to the sidewalk too, it has a great street presence and lots of glass too, very good!

[mmmatt]

haha I just realised, Myles has a symbol of english Canada, being Ottawa, Erick has a symbol of french Canada being the fleur de lis , and I have a picture of where they both meet seamlessly, Moncton :D

[mylesmalley]

Huh... how bout that, eh.
I'm going to try to take a spin by that sign this afternoon before I head back to Freddy.

[ErickMontreal]

haha I just realised, Myles has a symbol of english Canada, being Ottawa, Erick has a symbol of french Canada being the fleur de lis , and I have a picture of where they both meet seamlessly, Moncton :D

Good observation :haha:. I just wanted a little touch of home.

[mmmatt]

Huh... how bout that, eh.
I'm going to try to take a spin by that sign this afternoon before I head back to Freddy.

Have fun! and good luck on your exams too! :cheers:

[mylesmalley]

Looks good. definitely 4 stories, lots of glass...

[mmmatt]

If anyone from outside Moncton was wondering where this building will be built heres a picture that kinda shows the lot...this was taken last year when they were painting the Terminal Center and it was 1/2 white from primer haha

The lot where the new building will be is on the left where there is a pile of dirt etc due to the movement of Vaughn Harvey Blvd

Just imagine in two years you wont be able to see the terminal center at all from this veiw, just a bunch of new glass and brick :D
http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f232/stu_pendousmat/newer%20Moncton/DSCN0002.jpg

[Smevo]

Sounds good, it'll help anchor that area a bit as "still downtown Moncton". All you need now is Assomption Blvd and St George to build up, and you'll have a "real downtown". I couldn't really think of a way to say that without sounding like an ass, but you already know I don't mean it that way.

[mmmatt]

no youre right on, we have a very well developed street, not a real "square" downtown, like most cities have.

[mmmatt]

Heres a photo of our tiny retail area on the north end of the city, in red is current retail (some isnt shown here such as Future Shop and the new Music Center bacuse the pic is old) In blue is retail U/C

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f232/stu_pendousmat/Moncton%20development/untitled.jpg

[mmmatt]

An interesting shot of Moncton with the Remax baloon which is seen in the summer sometimes...this would be a nice picture if it was high quality

http://www.remaxnb.ca/images/new_city_moncton.jpg

[ErickMontreal]

Record month of March in Dieppe

DIEPPE – The City of Dieppe had a record month of March in building permit values according to statistics released by the Building inspection department of the municipality.

The values for the third month of the year were for $7.9 million, a record in the city’s history.

The commercial sector dominated with 8 permits with values of $6.9 million. It includes a 36,000 sq foot addition to the coop building ( Uptown Dieppe ) for $4.2 million and the frame structure at Canada Post for $2 million. The residential sector was second with 15 permits for 7 units worth just over $1 million.

The best month of March was in 2006 with $3.7 million.

‘This is a second record month in 2008,’ said Mayor Maillet. ‘We almost doubled our numbers from 2006. We are ready for another busy year. ’
________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Construction boom keeps rumbling in Dieppe
At least 200 new building lots to be created this year in growing city

By James Foster
Times & Transcript Staff
Published Monday April 7th, 2008
Appeared on page A1

Last month alone, more than $1 million worth of homes and apartments were built in Dieppe.

That number can only go up as construction season prepares to get under way for 2008 and it looks like subdivisions are springing up like daffodils.

"We've been averaging in the last three years a little over 200 new building lots per year," City of Dieppe spokesman Normand Leger says.

"We figure that this year we'll be around that again."

Including apartments, expect about 420 new units built in Dieppe in 2008. Most of the construction is taking place in three or four new or expanding subdivisions by less than a handful of developers but there are also lesser players extending subdivisions and streets by a few lots here and there, as well as those who are building just a few new homes on spec.

Most residential development will take place in the area of Dieppe Boulevard, from Chartersville Road southward.

"Well, where else could we expand," says Guy Bouchard of Immeubles Perfection Realty.

Earmarking that area for growth -- commercial as well as residential -- just made sense from a developer's point of view, Bouchard says, since Dieppe is landlocked to the west by the Petitcodiac River, is fully developed to the north and is bounded by Memramcook to the south. So new development could only head eastward, which is exactly what it is doing.

Perfection's 260-lot Domaine du Ruisseau mini-home park in the Lakeburn area attests to that -- it will eventually expand to about 400 lots in total.

The company's Place Beausoleil, closer to Dieppe Boulevard, will feature two 48-unit luxury apartment buildings with trails and a workshop, valued at about $9 million.

And near that the developer's Jardins Beausoleil will open up 40 lots to duplexes and commercial lots very close to Dieppe Boulevard this year alone.

The largest new subdivision to open up will be near the back nine holes of the Fox Creek Golf Club, with about 100 new lots this year being developed by Terramine Developments Inc., which created the entire golf club community in the first place, and another 24 acres of commercial development along nearby Dieppe Boulevard that will abut commercial properties being developed concurrently by Bouchard.

The commercial sector will help spur residential growth as local amenities like corner stores and personal services will be within walking distance, Michel LeBlanc of Terramine says.

Like some of the other developers, LeBlanc's new subdivision will feature a range of options, from executive-size lots to smaller, more affordable parcels, each with appropriate homes on them and with different covenants.

"This way we're catering to a wide demographic," LeBlanc says.

Little more than a decade ago, this area of Dieppe was only an empty field. The LeBlanc family saw an opportunity and invested and to look at it now, LeBlanc says, is "amazing."

Expect to also see the creation of "some high-end condos, some two- or three-storey condos and more townhouses above and beyond the ones that you see on Natalie Street and Guylaine Street," LeBlanc predicts.

The lack of For Sale signs shows development in this area is much needed, he says, as most of the homes and condos are pre-sold.

Once all three phases of construction are completed, there will be more than 200 single-family residences, townhouses and condos bordering the golf course.

Developers Tri-Dev Corporation are developing phase two this year of their Vieux Moulin subdivision, creating about 30 more lots north of Melanson Road, south of Dieppe Boulevard, as well as another 15 or 20 lots at Domaine du Faisan subdivision which is also near Melanson Road and Dieppe Boulevard.

These are not the only residential expansion plans, either, Leger says."We are going to see a few additional ones, with five, six or seven lots here and there, extensions of streets, expansions of existing subdivisions," the city spokesman says.

Those smaller developments include new duplexes off Thomas Street, a few new homes for Bonaventure Park, about 20 homes at Champlain Gardens behind the Arthur-J.-LeBlanc Arena, 10 to 15 more homes east of Amirault Street near the city limits and another 15 or 20 lots off Pelagie Street.

[ErickMontreal]

Heres a photo of our tiny retail area on the north end of the city, in red is current retail (some isnt shown here such as Future Shop and the new Music Center bacuse the pic is old) In blue is retail U/C

Don`t worry Matt, in realty the Champlain Place/Highfield Square redevlopement as well as Mapleton power Center will increase the gap with others cities in NB in term of retail. We dont have "largest single retail spot" but we have, without shadow of a doubt, the largest retail market overall.

[mmmatt]

Heres the pic! :D enjoy

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f232/stu_pendousmat/Moncton%20development/COMINGSPRING2009.jpg

[ErickMontreal]

I like it. It will be higher for a 4-story building, that could be a great courthouse.

The only thing I do not like is the fact there is not entrance along the boulevard.

[ErickMontreal]

Heres the pic! :D enjoy

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f232/stu_pendousmat/Moncton%20development/COMINGSPRING2009.jpg

Thank you Matt !

[mmmatt]

I like it. It will be higher for a 4-story building, that could be a great courthouse.

The only thing I do not like is the fact there is not entrance along the boulevard.

Yeah I just noticed that! Oh well, its still a great looking building, Im assuming they are just expecting it to be office space with an entrance on the side by the parking. An entrance on the corner would only make sense if it was retail or something I guess.

[ErickMontreal]

Yeah I just noticed that! Oh well, its still a great looking building, Im assuming they are just expecting it to be office space with an entrance on the side by the parking. An entrance on the corner would only make sense if it was retail or something I guess.

Agreed. Its a major improvement !

So do you think it will start 2009 ? or it will be ready for spring 2009 ?

[MonctonGoldenFlames]

Heres the pic! :D enjoy

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f232/stu_pendousmat/Moncton%20development/COMINGSPRING2009.jpg

I know renderings like this can be very misleading, but I hope there is a little more detail added to this one. Or at least a wider array of materials used. It looks like a boring wall with no street presence. It's still good to see something going there regardless.

[JasonL-Moncton]

That's a LOT bigger than I expected on that corner...wow...looks Awesome! I also like how it's shaped 'with' the corner...nice.

Now they need to build up where the old "frenchy's" was and the corner by Major Discount and that are is gonna 'boom'!

[mmmatt]

I know renderings like this can be very misleading, but I hope there is a little more detail added to this one. Or at least a wider array of materials used. It looks like a boring wall with no street presence. It's still good to see something going there regardless.

Are you being sarcastic?? haha I count at least six or seven different materials and its right against the street...This is one of the best looking buildings built in Moncton in a while (much better than a certain suburban development across the street for example).

[mmmatt]

Agreed. Its a major improvement !

So do you think it will start 2009 ? or it will be ready for spring 2009 ?

Could go either way...should e-mail Ashford and ask :cool:

[ErickMontreal]

(much better than a certain suburban development across the street for example).

I dont know what you are talking about ? :haha:

Could go either way...should e-mail Ashford and ask

Well, Good idea.

[mmmatt]

Well, Good idea.

Well I have no access to e-mail at work, so you might wanna do that ;) Im interested as well...It would be cool if they started doing something this summer.

[ErickMontreal]

Well I have no access to e-mail at work, so you might wanna do that ;) Im interested as well...It would be cool if they started doing something this summer.

Its done ! More to come.

[mmmatt]

A few pictures to liven up this page a bit: :)

Castle Manor
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z152/fa_valdez/Canada%202000%20Moncton/c955re2.jpg
Credit: Fa Valdez on Photobucket

Newish apartment building on Jones Lake
http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q210/BradfordWellington/Moncton/DSC00295.jpg
Credit: BradfordWellington on Photobucket

Gifts Galore
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1100/1393832243_7e84fef8e9.jpg?v=0
Credit: Stephen Downes on Flickr

Riverviews New Fire Station
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/14/14383983_3216f0f317_o.jpg
Credit: Bobozo on Flickr

When they were working on the Cathedral a few years ago
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3246/2384132958_a3e09e177c_o.jpg
Credit: JarvisEye on Flickr

Wheeler
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3113/2364901753_39949be08a_o.jpg
Credit: MoFo Inc on Flickr

[ErickMontreal]

Moncton awarded 2009 QMJHL Annual Session
2008-04-07

http://www.monctoncoliseum.com/images/Coliseum4.jpg
Colisé de Moncton Coliseum

BOUCHERVILLE - Monday, April 7, 2008 – The Commissioner of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, Gilles Courteau, today officially announced that the 2009 Quebec Major Junior Hockey League Annual Session will be held in Moncton.

"I am very pleased to announce that the City of Moncton has been chosen to host the 2009 Quebec Major Junior Hockey League Annual Session; one of the League’s most exciting events," commented the Commissioner. "The four-day event, which will be held from Wednesday, June 3, to Saturday, June 6, is in very able hands. The Moncton Wildcats organization has a proven track record, having already hosted an extremely successful MasterCard Memorial Cup Tournament just a few short years ago. I am convinced that the event will surpass all of our expectations."

"We are certainly honoured to host the annual session and draft and I’m confident that this event will represent the Wildcats organization, the City of Moncton, and all of New Brunswick in a first class manner," said Ray Delia, General Manager of the Moncton Wildcats.

League Owners, Governors, General Managers and Head Coaches are set to take part in meetings throughout the event to examine the state of the game while Athletic Therapists, Doctors, Academic Consultants and Equipment Manufacturers meet to discuss and better existing practices. The Annual Session comes to a close on Saturday with the presentation of the Entry Draft at the Moncton Coliseum.

"Once again, the QMJHL renews its confidence in the Moncton Wildcats organization by selecting it to host the 2009 QMJHL Annual Session. This major-league event will give our many Wildcats fans an opportunity to witness one of the key moments in the life of an elite hockey player dreaming to play at the major junior level in Canada," said Jean Brousseau, the Moncton Wildcats Governor and the President of the QMJHL Board of Governors.

"It’s very valuable for a team to host the draft. It gives us a tremendous opportunity to showcase our city, our venue, our fans, and our sensational facilities. In addition, we anticipate a staggering amount of media coverage, and with two first round picks, the Moncton Wildcats are positioned to warrant the attention. As a result of the regional interest, the City of Moncton will also benefit as the economic impact of previous drafts has been estimated at over $2 million," stated Delia

The last time the QMJHL entry draft was held in the Province of New Brunswick was in 2002 (Acadie-Bathurst).

[ErickMontreal]

Tennis Canada Announces Addition of Moncton Challenger

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April 7, 2008

Professional men’s tennis event will mark the first of its kind in New Brunswick

Tennis Canada announced Monday that the City of Moncton will join the national competitive schedule as host of a newly created Challenger tournament this summer. The $35,000 Moncton Men’s Challenger presented by Maritime Tennis will include complimentary hospitality for players and run from July 12-20, 2008 at the Moncton Tennis Club in Centennial Park.

“We are very excited to bring a professional tennis tournament to the Atlantic region of Canada,” stated Gavin Ziv, director of national events for Tennis Canada. “The creation of this tournament will enable young players from the Atlantic to witness high calibre tennis and have an opportunity to compete against the best in the world. To hold such tournaments on Canadian soil is not only beneficial, but it is essential for the progression of Canadian tennis on the international scene.”

This event marks the first time a professional tennis tournament is being held in the province of New Brunswick and the third time a professional tennis event is being held in Atlantic Canada. The only two previous professional tennis events hosted in the Atlantic Provinces were held in Halifax, Nova Scotia. In November 1992, Sebastien Lareau took home the singles title at the only Halifax Challenger and six years later the Canadian Davis Cup team defeated Mexico 3-2 at the Air Atlantic Centre in an Americas Zone Group I tie.

The province of New Brunswick has been the location for three previous national tennis events as the Under 16 Canadian Junior Championships were held at the Dieppe Tennis Club in Dieppe in 2004, 2005 and 2006. The addition of an elite professional tournament in Moncton is a testament to the growth and vision of Tennis New Brunswick, led by executive director Mark Thibault, in addition to the strong provincial support that tennis has received in the province.

“Today is an exciting day, not only for the tennis community or for sports enthusiasts, but for the entire City of Moncton,” commented Mayor Lorne Mitton. “To have an international tennis event such as this one being held in our city is a major coup for Moncton, and confirms our ever-growing reputation of being a centre for major events in the region. Thank you to Tennis Canada for choosing Moncton as the host city.”

With the addition of $35,000 Moncton Challenger men’s event to the calendar, Canada now boasts a complete four-week professional men’s tennis circuit. The Moncton Challenger is slotted in between two other very important weeks on the men’s tennis schedule as the Granby Challenger begins July 5 and the Rogers Cup in Toronto, an ATP Masters Series event, starts July 19. Directly following the Rogers Cup is the Vancouver Open from July 26-August 3, 2008. The location, timing and participation list of this new and exciting event in Moncton makes it the perfect fit into an action-packed summer schedule for the world’s best current and future men’s tennis players.

Tennis Canada is also pleased to welcome Maritime Tennis on board as presenting sponsor. Maritime Tennis constructed the courts at the Moncton Tennis Club in Centennial Park where the event will be held. This site is the only outdoor site in Eastern Canada capable of hosting a professional event of this calibre. Maritime Tennis is now helping to fund the legacy of tennis in the Atlantic region at the site they helped create.

In addition, Tennis Canada announced Monday that a wildcard position will be reserved in the qualifying draw for a player from the Atlantic region. The four Atlantic provinces will hold a pre-qualifying tournament June 21-22 in Moncton with the winner earning a berth into the qualifying draw.

“The Moncton Challenger is very significant to the growth of tennis development in the Maritimes,” expressed Andrew Wright, senior director of the Atlantic Tennis Alliance for Tennis Canada. “As Tennis Canada tries to grow, promote and showcase the sport of tennis, it is important to focus on all areas of the country and New Brunswick will serve as a stepping stone to achieving this goal of adding more tournaments in Atlantic Canada.”

[mmmatt]

Thanks! And great news about the Tennis, I guess the money the city spent on upgrading those courts was well spent :)

[mylesmalley]

Man... I remember that porta potty on top of the cathedral. Wouldn't want to be reading the paper when a gust of wind blew by...

[ErickMontreal]

Eagles will land at Magnetic Hill on August 2, 2008

http://www.moncton.org/graphics/logos/magnetlogocolorsm.jpg

Tickets go on sale Friday, April 11 at 10am

Flying high on the success of their No. 1 album, Long Road out of Eden, the Eagles will headline the MAGNETIC HILL MUSIC FESTIVAL which will be held on Saturday, August 2 at Magnetic Hill, Moncton as part of the North American leg of the band’s “Long Road Out of Eden” World Tour. Tickets for the concert will go on sale Friday, April 11 at 10 a.m., and are available at the Moncton Coliseum Box Office, at all Sobey’s stores across Atlantic Canada, by calling 1-888-720-5600, or online at www.tickets.moncton.ca. General Admission tickets purchased through Monday, April 14 are offered at an Early Bird price of $109.50 plus taxes and applicable service charges, and after Monday will be $124.50 plus taxes and applicable service charges. There will also be a limited quantity of VIP Reserved grandstand seats available at the price of $249 plus taxes and applicable service charges.

Co-produced by Donald K Donald Events and AEG LIVE, the Eagles-led music festival marks the return of the major concert event to Magnetic Hill. “We are thrilled to be bringing this world-class festival to music fans in Atlantic Canada,” said Debra Rathwell, senior vice-president of AEG LIVE, at a press conference today in Moncton. Added Donald K. Tarlton, Chairman of Donald K Donald Events, “With this show, we’re continuing to build our successful relationship with music fans in Atlantic Canada.”

With new stage production, the Eagles – Glenn Frey, Don Henley, Joe Walsh and Timothy B. Schmit - will be performing current hits from Long Road Out of Eden including "How Long" and "Busy Being Fabulous," as well as their classic hit songs.

Long Road Out of Eden, released Oct. 30, 2007, debuted at number one in the US, and in 9 weeks became the biggest selling album by a group in 2007, according to Nielsen SoundScan. In Canada, the album achieved Gold status (50,000 copies) in just nine days, through exclusive distribution in Wal-Mart Canada stores. The Eagles have sold more than 120 million albums worldwide, earning five # 1 U.S. singles and five Grammy Awards. Their Greatest Hits 1971-1975 is the best-selling album of all time, exceeding sales of 29 million units. The Eagles were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1998.

Visit the band's Web sites at www.eaglesband.com,
www.myspace.com/eaglesmusic and www.vzwamp.com.

[ErickMontreal]

What's driving Metro business flyers to Halifax?
Survey shows lack of after-hours customs staff costing Moncton airport flights, business opportunities

By MARC HUDON
Times & Transcript Staff
Published Tuesday April 8th, 2008
Appeared on page A1

OTTAWA - A survey shows that business travellers from the Moncton area are driving to Nova Scotia to catch flights to key destinations on the Eastern Seaboard because Metro's airport can't attract enough air traffic, says the CEO of the Greater Moncton Chamber of Commerce.

Valerie Roy said the cost to airlines of hiring after-hours customs staff to process international travellers at the Greater Moncton International Airport is keeping air traffic from the Hub City to the United States to a minimum.

"It's on paper," she said, adding complete results of the survey will be released later this spring. "We see how much people are driving to Halifax because they want to go to Boston or somewhere else because Newark might not be the best place to connect for where they want to go."

The flight from Moncton to Newark, N.J., -- only minutes from downtown New York City -- is currently the only daily commercial flight departing from Moncton to the U.S.

The results of the survey come on the heels of an announcement Friday by Moncton airport CEO Rob Robichaud, who said the opportunity to secure a second daily flight to Newark, N.J., was nixed recently by Continental Airlines because it costs too much to hire customs staff to process international passengers.

He said the Moncton airport charges Continental Airlines $200,000 a year to hire after-hours customs staff, while passenger-processing services in Halifax are paid for by the federal government.

Roy said the added fees stymie business opportunities by making it more difficult for the airport to attract U.S.-based airlines, flying to different destinations.

"We deserve to have the same kinds of privileges the Halifax region has," she said. "There is no reason that we can't have it with the amount of (passenger) volume and activity we have here."

The Canada Border Services Agency staffs the Moncton International airport weekdays between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. while Halifax receives dedicated, 24-hour-a-day customs services.

John Thompson, CEO of Enterprise Greater Moncton, said 80 per cent of business in the Moncton area is done with the United States.

The city boasts several corporate multinational employers, including petroleum giant Exxon Mobil.

He said it doesn't make sense that New Brunswick business travellers or U.S. entrepreneurs interested in investing in the region must fly to Montreal or Toronto before heading to their destination of choice.

"When business people have to make three legs of a flight, sometimes they're reluctant to travel," he said. "They find it very, very difficult to get into our region and sometimes that dissuades them from making investments."

Roy said her group has been actively pursuing the customs staffing issue with the federal government.

The issue was expected to be resolved, pending the release of a report by the Canada Border Services Agency about customs staffing requirements at points of entry across Canada. The report, which was expected before the end of 2007, has yet to be released.

"We have received very unsatisfactory responses to our letters from Public Safety Minister Stockwell Day's office and we're feeling frustrated because we need these services at the Moncton airport," she said.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Restaurant brings a little piece of Paris to Metro
French-style fine dining restaurant Petit Cavalier set to open in Moncton

http://harvest.canadaeast.com/image.php?id=112842&size=400x0
Roger LeBlanc and Irene Leger are in the process of opening a French restaurant at 52 Weldon Street.

By Eric Lewis
Times & Transcript Staff
Published Tuesday April 8th, 2008
Appeared on page C2

A new restaurant opening in Moncton soon aims to bring a little bit of Paris culture and cuisine to Metro Moncton.

Chef Roger Paul LeBlanc, originally from Moncton, and his long-time girlfriend Irene Leger, from Cap-Pelé, spent the last dozen years living in Vancouver where LeBlanc was the executive chef at the award-winning Le Gavroche restaurant.

Tired of the Vancouver lifestyle, the couple returned home, and are planning the opening of a traditional French restaurant. LeBlanc and Leger hope to open the doors in mid-May, but they are currently wrapping up some paperwork before work begins on building the kitchen onto the back of the couple's home at 52 Weldon Street.

The large home is 107 years old, and according to records the couple has, it was actually once owned by a Mr. J.B. Sangster, proprietor of the Railway Depot Restaurant many years ago. So there's a history of food in the Victorian-style home.

There is plenty of work to do in the home before it is ready, so they admit aiming for mid-May might be wishful thinking, but nonetheless, work continues.

LeBlanc and Leger live in the second and third floors and plan to open a restaurant to seat 50 on the first floor.

Items such as steak tartare, various soufflés, foie gras (duck or goose liver), canapes, rack of lamb and potato-wrapped fish are some of the items LeBlanc rattles off when asked about what will appear on the menu of the restaurant. He says the menu will change with the seasons, likely two or three times a year.

"The cooking I do is traditional French, everything from scratch," he says.

As much as possible, the food served will come from local, sustainable sources, he says.

LeBlanc is toying with the idea of featuring a "carte blanche" option on the menu, where you can say you want a three- or five-course meal and the chef gets to pick what you'll eat.

"We'll find out if you're allergic to anything or if there's anything you really don't like," LeBlanc says, but beyond that, it's up to the chef to decide what you'll eat that night.

"We did it in Vancouver and it did well, someone would walk in and say, 'I want a three-course meal, let the chef decide,'" he continues.

LeBlanc has no formal training as a chef, but started working in a restaurant 28 years ago and began to build his knowledge the old fashioned way -- by watching the pros. He's worked under various chefs throughout his career and he hopes to pass on his knowledge to students of his own. He says he would like to offer his expertise to students in the culinary program at the New Brunswick Community College in Moncton.

Meanwhile, Leger will run the business end of Petit Cavalier (that's Little Knight for you English folk).

The couple landed back in Moncton in October -- "just in time for the snow," LeBlanc notes with a hint of disdain in his voice. They have big plans for the fine dining restaurant, including table-side service.

Wait staff will mix salads on the fly as you watch, with all the ingredients laid out on a trolley they will push about the dining area. They will also be trained to flambé a crêpe suzette before your eyes. The pastry is cooked over open fire in full view of the restaurant guests.

All these ingredients make it sound as though Petit Cavalier will be a tasty spot to check out, if a bit pricey, but LeBlanc says his prices will be competitive with other restaurants in Metro.

"The most expensive thing with running a restaurant is paying rent and paying your chef," he explains. "We own the house and I'm the chef!"

Leger says the restaurant will have an intimate, romantic feel.

"If you have a special occasion, this is the place to come," she says.

[mmmatt]

That airport thing is one of the stupidest things Ive ever heard...the feds better get thier act together on this one quickly, friggin stockwell day, never liked that guy haha

[mmmatt]

Eagles will land at Magnetic Hill on August 2, 2008

http://www.moncton.org/graphics/logos/magnetlogocolorsm.jpg


Nice logo :D