The Official Moncton, NB Project Thread

[ElevatorGuy]

Great stories stu_pendousmat2. Its nice to see news from home thanks.

[mmmatt]

March 23, 2007 - 2:19 pm
By: Tara Clow-News 91.9 Staff


MONCTON,NB-Tourism was down across Atlantic Canada last year, but Moncton appears to be holding its ground.

Director of Tourism Events for the City of Moncton, Kelly Cain, says it wasn't an outstanding year, but there have been positive increases in areas where Moncton is outperforming its Maritime neighbours.

According to preliminary results, occupancy rates averaged 63 per cent. Total room sales increased by 3.3 per cent, to about 470 thousand room nights, that's a 5 year high for the Hub City. Expenditures for tourism in Moncton were at an all time high of 361.6 million.

Cain says the number of people visiting tourist attractions in the province in 2006 was down about 15 per cent. However, the Magnetic Hill Zoo bucked that trend with an increase in numbers last year.

[mmmatt]

Great stories stu_pendousmat2. Its nice to see news from home thanks.

No problem...thanks for reading lol

[mmmatt]

March 22, 2007 - 12:42 pm
By: Allan Dearing - News 91.9 Staff


MONCTON, NB - Construction is running on schedule for a new $15 million Marriott hotel in downtown Moncton.

Developer Gordon Laing says the preliminary construction phase including concrete support work is almost complete.

Laing notes the site may be a bit quiet right now as final design plans for the hotel are worked out with Marriott officials.

The hotel will be seven stories with an 8,000 square foot The Keg Restaurant on the ground floor.

Laing expects contracts will be awarded shortly to allow for work on the actual structure.

The hotel and the restaurant are expected to be ready by the spring of next year.

[mmmatt]

Times & Transcript (Moncton)
Mon 26 Mar 2007

The City of Dieppe's much-anticipated, five-year green plan will be unveiled at council's regular meeting at 6 p.m. in council's chambers.

The city commissioned the green plan last fall to address ways of protecting the city's environmental infrastructure while experiencing unprecedented growth.

The task now falls to council to decide what measures and recommendations will be adopted.

A public hearing to discuss the application from Serge Gauvin Enterprises Ltd., to rezone a portion of a parcel of land situated at 1449 Amirault St., will be heard.

The application proposes to rezone from "R1" Zone (Residential - Single Unit Dwelling) to "R2" Zone (Residential - Two Unit Dwelling) (PID 70402714) in order to permit the construction of semi detached dwellings.

A Rezoning project of Lot 06-3B on Rufin Street in the business and technology park will also be discussed.

Council will vote on budget transfers and Policies A-27 and A-28.

Nominations will be made to the city's Active Living" and "Aquatic and Sport Center" Project Management Team.

[mmmatt]

N.B. to provide money to continue restoration work on Moncton's oldest building

Times & Transcript (Moncton)
Mon 26 Mar 2007


In the short term view, it seems like not a lot has happened at Treitz Haus since a small part of it opened to the public as a tourist information centre four years ago.

That seems particularly so when you recall the flurry of activity in the four years before that.

In the long view though, the stalled restoration of Moncton's oldest building is a mere pause in its enduring history, according to Councillor-at- Large Kathryn Barnes

"It was meant to survive," she said of the structure, which in addition to the assaults of old age, has also suffered numerous fires in the past two and a half centuries - two of them just in the past decade.

Barnes is city council's liason on the Treitz Haus restoration committee and she said she's just recently gotten word there is in fact some provincial money coming to pick up where the work has left off. More precise details are not yet available.

The City of Moncton and members of the community worked for years restoring what was once known as the Saddleback House next to Bore Park, going so far as to lift the once crumbling structure up and move it closer to the Riverfront Trail.

It has had extensive work on its exterior and its skeletal frame, and been placed on a foundation so that modern washrooms could be placed in the basement instead of on the main floor where the historic character of the building would have been destroyed.

There is, however, significant interior work still to be done to half the main floor and the entire second floor. The part of the interior that has been completed serves as a tourist bureau for the city and is only used in the summer months.

Barnes said this week that along with completing the restoration, financial decisions about the building also have to take into account staffing it. If, for instance, the rest of the building becomes an interpretive centre for the history of Moncton's first settlers, as has been long discussed, questions of whether it would be staffed and opened year round have to be considered.

Preserving history doesn't come cheaply, which largely explains why projects like the restoration of the old ICR freight shed has not gotten off the ground and the Number 4 Fire Station on High Street has been lost.

The Treitz Haus project has cost an estimated $750,000, though about a third of that has paid for parking and improving street access to its new location on the riverfront. As well, some of the cost is wrapped into work on the Riverfront Trail in the immediate vicinity.

A federal Millennium Project grant contributed $245,000 to the work.

Adding to the cost was establishing a tourist information centre in the building as opposed to a potentially less expensive use.

The house was built circa 1766 by Jacob Treitz, Sr., one of the Monckton Township's eight original settlers. It later served as an inn and tavern for Ichabod Lewis and Thomas Prince. It has been restored to what it would have looked like around 1813.

It is Moncton's oldest building and one of the oldest in the province.

"It was put on hold because of the money," Barnes said, explaining that expensive priorities like water and sewer system rehabilitation have forced council to spend its money elsewhere in the past few years, "but we haven't forgotten it."

[Smevo]

I may know what that restaurant is for Champlain Place, but I don't think I should tip it off if it is. Let's just say if it is that place, it'll do quite well in that mall.

[mmmatt]

Times & Transcript
Published Wednesday March 28th, 2007

You-all can dust off thet cowboy hat, Moncton; the Hill's gonna rock agin.

The Times & Transcript has learned the city will host what is expected to be the biggest country-and-western tour in the world this year with country sweethearts Faith Hill and Tim McGraw headlining Country Rocks the Hill II on Saturday, Sept. 1.

The two hottest stars in country music today are said to be headlining seven big supporting acts for a show set for the Labour Day weekend, with tickets starting at $130 to go on sale April 13.

Supporting acts remained a mystery yesterday although they may be revealed at a news conference set for the Moncton Coliseum and Agrena Complex this morning if it turns out, as suspected, that it is to serve as the official announcement for the show.

According to sources the news conference will get a little help from the two biggest country acts in Metro this year, the Divorcees and Shirley Albert.

The Divorcees completed a national tour in December and are already booked to head out for more of the same through the summer, returning to Moncton from the west coast just in time for the Hill.

Albert, meanwhile, was nominated for Country Album of the Year at the 2007 East Coast Music Awards in Halifax this winter.

Word has it the Divorcees and Albert will be the opening acts for a show that starts at 2 p.m. and goes to about 10:30 p.m. barring encores.

The main act is set for about 8 p.m.

Details such as food concessions are in the hands of the promoters, who weren't confirming anything yesterday.

However, sources say the official beer is Budweiser, the official soft drink is Coca Cola and like last year, there will be designated parking, viewing and dining areas for VIP ticket holders.

Today's announcement signals the Metro area's emergence as the premier outdoor venue for music in Atlantic Canada, despite a drive from Halifax to compete for the business.

Halifax's World Trade Centre Inc. tried to wrest the Brooks & Dunn-led country show from Moncton last year and earlier in 2006 brought the Rolling Stones to Halifax, drawing about 25,000 people to its main outdoor site at the Halifax Commons, compared to the 80,000-plus who showed up at Magnetic Hill for the Stones in the summer of 2005.


Halifax also submitted a last-minute bid this year to take the Hill/McGraw-led show from Moncton, even applying to the provincial government for a grant.

The grant, said by sources to be at least $100,000, was intended to be applied directly to Halifax's bid to the promoters in an attempt to undercut Moncton's bid.

Evidently it didn't work and it seems likely that, with Halifax still attempting to repair the ground at the Commons after it was damaged during the Stones show almost a year ago, Magnetic Hill's performance over the last two years made the difference.

Moncton has also taken a different approach to financing its re-entry into the outdoor music scene after several off again, on again attempts to use a sprawling natural amphitheatre located near the Magnetic Hill tourism facility, first used for the visit of Pope John Paul II to Moncton in 1984.

As soon as the Stones were confirmed in the spring of 2005 the city launched a modest investment strategy designed to improve Moncton's position in bidding for all shows by improving site infrastructure, rather than blowing public cash on undercutting the competition for one specific show.

That way the money stays here rather than just going to the promoters.

Thus, the city's entire investment this year is $250,000, set down in the 2007-08 capital works budget, so music-lovers can expect to see a gradually improving site at Magnetic Hill.

For example the city's initial investment in 2005 improved drainage and security fencing at the site and, as a bonus, TNA and DKD spent about $200,000 tamping gravel into the upper end of the site for a permanent concert pad, forgoing the ground problems currently plaguing the Halifax Commons.

This year's $250,000 is earmarked for improved parking, washrooms and backstage facilities.

Those are great for concertgoers, but they are also great for the bands, which tend to shy away from outdoor sites due to complex problems like security and surprisingly straightforward ones like simply having enough well-tamped parking space for the fleet of tractor-trailers that accompany the really big shows.

Country Rocks the Hill II is being put together by Halifax-based promoter Harold MacKay of Power Promotional Concepts, in partnership with Ron Sakamoto of Gold & Gold Productions of Lethbridge, Alberta. The same two partners put together the first Country Rocks the Hill show last summer with headliners Brooks & Dunn and Alan Jackson drawing 40,000 people to Metro.

Those promoters, along with the Stones 'A Bigger Bang' world tour promoter The Next Adventure of Toronto and Donald K. Donald of Montreal - TNA's partner for the Canadian leg of the tour that included Moncton -- took a lot of photographs and promotional material with them when they left.

That material ended up in the hands of band managers and record companies in places like Nashville, Toronto, New York and London and it appears that effort has produced a lot of global interest in Moncton as an outdoor site capable of accommodating the big shows and geographically located to draw people from a wider region.

For example most of the 80,000 draw for the Stones came from outside a metropolitan area with a total population barely exceeding 140,000.

However, much of Metro's attraction to the global music business is based simply on its reputation, having already proven over the past two years that it has the right attitude, public participation, volunteerism and other intangibles to pull off the big outdoor show.

According to Poll Star Magazine, the three biggest grossing world tours on the planet in 2006 were Barbra Streisand, the second year of the Stones A Bigger Bang tour and the first year of the McGraw/Hill Soul 2 Soul tour, which continues this summer including Moncton, which is the only outdoor venue for the Soul 2 Soul tour which has already sold out its six other Canadian stops, several of them with two shows.

That means after Labour Day Magnetic Hill will have hosted two of the top three biggest grossing tours on the planet in 2006.

[Wishblade]

It's been noted in another forum, that that article is just a big arrogant jab at Halifax. And I honestly have to agree, false facts and all. They treat it like its going to be the only major concert this summer.

[ErickMontreal]

It's been noted in another forum, that that article is just a big arrogant jab at Halifax. And I honestly have to agree, false facts and all. They treat it like its going to be the only major concert this summer.

No worry, its just a country show... i`m biased cause i really hate this music

[someone123]

I bet they picked Moncton for the pickup trucks and mullets.

[Haliguy]

Who cares its just a country concert...they can have it...what bothers me is the lies they promote...like where they say only about 25,000 were at the Rolling Stones Concert on the Common... what a bold face lie there was over 50,000.

[Smevo]

I'll never understand both cities' need to compete with each other over concerts. Why don't they just suck up their pride and create and accept the situation where we have two prime big concert locations within a two-hour drive of each other? Whether you like the music or not, between the two cities the potential is there to have 4 major concerts each summer in the Maritimes. It'd be a lot better for the region and more of an economic boost than fighting over one specific headliner every year, or trying to outdo what the other city did the year before. Of course the article's going to be biased, it's a Moncton newspaper, much like Halifax newspapers are/would be biased toward Halifax.

You don't see Regina fighting with Saskatoon over concerts of this size. As long as the tour stops in one, the other is happy, so what that their in the same province. Economically speaking, this region benefits from what happens in other parts of the region and not just what happens in-province.

[someone123]

The fact is that there will be competition because there is a lot of overlap between the two markets and people will not pay to see two shows.

Of course the article's going to be biased, it's a Moncton newspaper, much like Halifax newspapers are/would be biased toward Halifax.

Not really. The Halifax papers report Halifax news but they usually limit the editorializing to editorials.

Here is some coverage from the Herald: http://herald.ns.ca/Entertainment/566082.html

This is not a "rivalry". It is a case of Moncton having an inferiority complex. Whenever they have some kind of success they can't help but talk down other places as in the article above.

It's very small town, which is kind of funny since Moncton is obsessed with moving beyond its small town image. The irony is the only reason why I even bother responding to this stuff.

[ElevatorGuy]

The City of Moncton along with Donald K Donald where pursuing major outdoor acts long before the original Rolling Stones concert and like it or not they put the maritimes on the map for these types of shows. If anyone has a inferiority complex its Halifax. Halifax was never trying to get these shows until they saw the potential and now the city wants in and are trying to steel the thunder. People in Halifax feel they should have the biggest and best concerts and I really dont blame them, they are the biggest and best city in the region.

[Smevo]

My point is, people who don't like Hill and McGraw won't go to the show, so the city that wasn't the initial city trying to get them could try to get a different big show that a different crowd would go to, rather than competing with the same market for the same show. Without accusing one city or the other of having an "inferiority complex", the two of them really have to stop the fighting over foolish things such as this. Accept the reality already, Halifax is the premier city in this region and Moncton is the second city in this region. It's not a region where the premier city has over half the population of the region, so there's going to be more than one prime location, especially with the local geographies, for concerts and even for development. Anytime something goes anywhere else but these two cities, it's a shot to the civic pride (which is good to have, believe me we could use some in Sydney), but nomatter which city gets anything it effects the same population base, so stop the backstabbing and get more things to make that population base not only happier but stronger too.

[ElevatorGuy]

The cities (Moncton and Halifax) are not arguing, its idiots like me on here that are arguing. You dont hear this type of babbling on the steets, 99% of the population could give 2 shits about civic pride.

[Smevo]

It's the event organizers, the media, and to some extent the city halls that are at fault for the arguing and air of competition. I doubt normal citizens in Halifax would complain about travelling two hours to see the show in Moncton if McGraw and Hill were their favourite performers.

It's kinda like CBRM's mayor Morgan on his fight over a provincial equalization scheme for municipalities. People on the street couldn't care less, but it gets reported (where it is reported in the first place) like everyone in Cape Breton agrees with him. Obviously a different issue, but those at fault for the attitudes are the same.

[kwajo]

haha, I can't help but laugh at this discussion because Halifax is now beginning to see what Saint John has been bitching about for years. The articles with numbers which seem to slant falsely in Moncton's favour, the glorified self-promotion/propaganda, the inferiority complex, et cetera. I remember years ago when this starting ramping up and the PR started about how grand a destination Moncton was, and that they started downplaying the fact Moncton didn't have much to offer as an urban centre by promoting how it was not just a city, but the centre of activity for the Maritimes (they love that Hub word). People had to pass through it at some point (even if it didn't seem like there was much reason to) so they might as well get them to stop by. I recall this one PR blitz several years ago where the Moncton Board of Trade wanted the city declared the largest in the province because (according to them) if you counted all the people that come to Moncton to shop during a week and added that to the population figures, then they'd pass Saint John. Nevermind the fact that no other city in the world includes retail tourists as resident population, but they wanted the include people coming from PEI, the North Shore, Sussex, and so on. In any event, I guess that now that Moncton feels like they have "beaten" Saint John, they have set their eyes squarely on Halifax, which hopefully will mean that they will leave Saint John alone now.

I really do have to take my hat off to Moncton, they really know how to promote themselves by not only pumping up their own strengths, but by taking the strengths of others and diminishing them - frankly the whole region could probably learn a little from them in that regard.

Anyway, congrats on the concert announcement, I'm sure in some way it'll help the province as a whole, so I won't complain.

[Smevo]

Moncton has been effective in marketing itself, but they do definitely go too far most of the time. By "they" I mean the Times and Transcript and City Hall. That's probably the reason why, when anything good is mentioned about Moncton, whether or not they downplay or even mention another city in the process, there's always the kneejerk reaction that we see so commonly these days. Though I don't agree with the strategy of making comparisons and downplaying other cities, if you were them, why would you stop doing what was working?

[Wishblade]

. Though I don't agree with the strategy of making comparisons and downplaying other cities, if you were them, why would you stop doing what was working?

I don't know, maybe to put a stop the how much the rest of the region detests them because of it?

[Smevo]

M'eh, if they don't feel bad for their strategy, then I don't have to feel bad for not wanting to live there. Even though I'd like to see every city in the Maritimes succeed, I can still be picky about where I live.

[Haliguy]

haha, I can't help but laugh at this discussion because Halifax is now beginning to see what Saint John has been bitching about for years. The articles with numbers which seem to slant falsely in Moncton's favour, the glorified self-promotion/propaganda, the inferiority complex, et cetera. I remember years ago when this starting ramping up and the PR started about how grand a destination Moncton was, and that they started downplaying the fact Moncton didn't have much to offer as an urban centre by promoting how it was not just a city, but the centre of activity for the Maritimes (they love that Hub word). People had to pass through it at some point (even if it didn't seem like there was much reason to) so they might as well get them to stop by. I recall this one PR blitz several years ago where the Moncton Board of Trade wanted the city declared the largest in the province because (according to them) if you counted all the people that come to Moncton to shop during a week and added that to the population figures, then they'd pass Saint John. Nevermind the fact that no other city in the world includes retail tourists as resident population, but they wanted the include people coming from PEI, the North Shore, Sussex, and so on. In any event, I guess that now that Moncton feels like they have "beaten" Saint John, they have set their eyes squarely on Halifax, which hopefully will mean that they will leave Saint John alone now.

I really do have to take my hat off to Moncton, they really know how to promote themselves by not only pumping up their own strengths, but by taking the strengths of others and diminishing them - frankly the whole region could probably learn a little from them in that regard.

Anyway, congrats on the concert announcement, I'm sure in some way it'll help the province as a whole, so I won't complain.

Population based on retail shoppers I have never heard of such a thing..is this really true? did they really suggest this.

[Smevo]

I don't remember it but it could have been before I moved to the province. With the Moncton Board of Trade, it's quite possible. Business groups love to propose things like that during PR blitzes.

Anyway, let's stop the kneejerk cheapshots at the city and get this back to being a development thread again.

[ElevatorGuy]

Moncton doesnt even have a board of trade...I have never heard of this but would love to see the article if it exists because it sounds foolish. I have seen articles that state how the population swells on the weekends but that was from some jerked off reporter. Dont blame City Hall for for the papers bull shit stories. Moncton has never been taken seriously in this region and the paper is trying to change that. I dont agree with everything said in the paper but I do agree with self promotion. People in Saint John are pissed about Moncton, its doing better right now and promoting its self like it is. What wrong with that? A job interview wont go well if you dont promote yourself and thats what the region has been doing and will continue to do.

[mmmatt]

Moncton doesnt even have a board of trade...I have never heard of this but would love to see the article if it exists because it sounds foolish. I have seen articles that state how the population swells on the weekends but that was from some jerked off reporter. Dont blame City Hall for for the papers bull shit stories. Moncton has never been taken seriously in this region and the paper is trying to change that. I dont agree with everything said in the paper but I do agree with self promotion. People in Saint John are pissed about Moncton, its doing better right now and promoting its self like it is. What wrong with that? A job interview wont go well if you dont promote yourself and thats what the region has been doing and will continue to do.

I agree with you 100%...The T&T isnt exactly the best paper in the world, but the thing they do best is promote Moncton, and I love them for that. I am proud to say that I was born in Moncton, and if I could I would live there for the rest of my life, its a great city, and as you said for a long time we have not been taken seriously by other cities. Self-promotion gets things going, how would anybody in the world even know about Moncton if we didnt yell our name from every mountain top available? We arent the biggest contender out there but we have a lot to offer. This strategy has been working quite well for us in recent times, with Moncton being the fastest growing Metro east of Toronto and all that, and I dont see it slowing at all.

[Wishblade]

I agree with you 100%...The T&T isnt exactly the best paper in the world, but the thing they do best is promote Moncton, and I love them for that. I am proud to say that I was born in Moncton, and if I could I would live there for the rest of my life, its a great city, and as you said for a long time we have not been taken seriously by other cities. Self-promotion gets things going, how would anybody in the world even know about Moncton if we didnt yell our name from every mountain top available? We arent the biggest contender out there but we have a lot to offer. This strategy has been working quite well for us in recent times, with Moncton being the fastest growing Metro east of Toronto and all that, and I dont see it slowing at all.

The one thing I like about Moncton's boosting is that It will probably keep Halifax on its toes. I think after decades of there being virtually no competition with Halifax whatsoever in the maritimes, this might be just the healthy dose we need. Not to mention it might be nice to eventually have a 2nd "big" city in the maritimes.

The only thing I don't like is all the snubbing of other cities that the media in Moncton portrays. It puts a really bad image on that city. If one of the newspapers in Halifax were doing the same, I would be writing in in protest.

Halifax and Moncton need to work together to bring economic prosperity to both cities.

[mmmatt]

I decided to do a little post as to why I feel Moncton is emerging as the primere site to hold large concerts in Atlantic Canada. I see four main reasons for this, ranging from most important to least are:

1. Location

2. Site

3. "Vibe"

4. Weather (we saw the consequences of this one at the Halifax Rolling Stones concert)



Location



Geographically spaking it should be no surprise at all that Moncton gets the ammount of large concerts it does...I mean we are the center of the maritimes. This map shows that, and below I have a table of distances from the major cities in the region. Moncton has 1.4 million people witin a 2.5 hour drive, promoters see that and all they think is $$$! In other words we get concerts.

Map
http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f232/stu_pendousmat/distance.jpg

Distances

To Moncton From:

Saint John = 149km
Fredericton = 186km
Halifax = 284km
Charlottetown = 166km

Average Trip Distance = 196km

--------------------------------------------

To Halifax From:

Saint John = 432km
Moncton = 284km
Fredericton = 467km
Charlottetown = 348km

Average Trip Distance = 391km



2. Site



The second most important reason is the actual site where the concerts will be held.

History of major events

Halifax Commons

Pope visit (1984) - 80,000
Rollong Stones (2006)- 45,000+

Magnetic Hill

Pope visit (1984) - 75,000
Lynard Skynard* (1998) - 35,000
Rolling Stones (2005) - 80,000+
Country Rocks The Hill I (2006) - 45,000+
Country Rocks The Hill II (2007) - 50,000+ expected

*Concert also included Steppenwolf, Heart, Foreigner, Peter Frampton, Pat Benatar, and the Wolf

Layout of Sites

Halifax Commons

the site is basically flat, which does not work very well for concerts (if there is a tall person in front of you etc.) Also as we saw in 2006, flatness doesnt make for good drainage at all. The city hasnt put much money, if any at all (correct me if Im wrong here) toward construction of permanent infrastructure for concerts.

Magnetic Hill

The site in Moncton is a huge natural ampetheater, in otherwards a large gradually sloping hill, so it is easy to see the stage clearly from the very back of the crowd. This slope provides good drainage in the event of rain. The City of Moncton has put in some money to make permanent infrastructure for concerts on this site, and again this year they are putting 250,000$ toward better parking among other things.

Area

Another aspect of the site is the area in which it exists, in Halifax the commons is downtown, and surrounded by densly populated residential areas, this, as we have seen, creates a lot of negitive noise rising from the people who live in the area. It also makes parking/camping very hard. In Moncton the site is on the fringe of the city, so there are not as many people to complain, and there is plenty of space to park and camp.



3. "Vibe"



This is what Harold MacKay saind was a very important factor in Moncton beating out Halifax for this years mega-concert. This is also something that Moncton is known in the region for, sadly some people take it the wrong way, as we have just seen in this forum.

From T&T:

"There's a vibe in this city that's hard to explain to people unless you've experienced it," MacKay said, "all the way from your city staff, to the politicians, the people on the street, the media. Everything that happens in this city has a whole different vibe than hundreds of other places. It's the reason you're successful."

MacKay emphasized the role of the media in capturing the community's enthusiasm. He singled out C-103/XL 96 for gathering 6,000 names on a petition to bring Hill and McGraw. He also thanked the Times & Transcript as "a newspaper that covers our events and other events in a tremendous fashion."

Holding up six pages of clippings from the newspaper's coverage of last year's Country Rocks the Hill, MacKay said, "I took several copies of those plus the ones they did for the Rolling Stones and the reaction we had in Nashville was outstanding."



4. Weather


As we saw happen on the Rolling Stones trip to Halifax last year, weather plays a major role on people actually going to the concert after they have bought thier tickets.

Average Number of Rainy Days per year

Moncton - 90
Halifax - 231

Average Number of Days per year With Fog

Halifax - 196
Moncton - (they didnt have a number on there but I assume it is very low...personally I have only seen it once or twice in 9+ years living in the city.)


(info from Weatherbase.com)

[Wishblade]

In the case with Halifax and concerts, I honestly always thought Shearwater airfield would be a better spot for concerts than the commons, but that'll probably never come to be.

As for the site, the downtown site has its advantages. There are many more potential entry/exit points. You have stead access to the city transit system, and surrounding roadways. And the downtown nightscene is closeby for afterparties :D. Unfortuantely with the stones show it probably wasnt that popular of an idea. I honestly couldnt believe that weather. that was honestly the worst day of weather we had had all summer, and for some reason it picked that day.

As for vibe, you will probably see more public attention towards outdoor concerts in Moncton because, well they usually do create more of a buzz in smaller cities. The community seems to rally around it more as one. And just for the record, I don't really think petitions do all that much in the final say of where a concert goes. I've seen many cities do it, but I just never understood why.

And finally as for location, it is true Moncton has more people within a 2.5 hour drive of it, but cut that down to say a 1 hour drive, and its a totally different story, and both arguments can be used equally. So I don't know if its really the strongest argument in this situation, but it seems to work.

Anyway, thats my little rant. :P


P.S: I forgot to mention something that someone said on another forum Im on that would be a great idea. If we could have an annual festival, say like 2 days long featuring both local, and more well known artists, and alternate between Moncton and Halifax from year to year. I thought it was a wonderful idea myself.

[mmmatt]

In the case with Halifax and concerts, I honestly always thought Shearwater airfield would be a better spot for concerts than the commons, but that'll probably never come to be.

As for the site, the downtown site has its advantages. There are many more potential entry/exit points. You have stead access to the city transit system, and surrounding roadways. And the downtown nightscene is closeby for afterparties :D. Unfortuantely with the stones show it probably wasnt that popular of an idea. I honestly couldnt believe that weather. that was honestly the worst day of weather we had had all summer, and for some reason it picked that day.

As for vibe, you will probably see more public attention towards outdoor concerts in Moncton because, well they usually do create more of a buzz in smaller cities. The community seems to rally around it more as one. And just for the record, I don't really think petitions do all that much in the final say of where a concert goes. I've seen many cities do it, but I just never understood why.

And finally as for location, it is true Moncton has more people within a 2.5 hour drive of it, but cut that down to say a 1 hour drive, and its a totally different story, and both arguments can be used equally. So I don't know if its really the strongest argument in this situation, but it seems to work.

Anyway, thats my little rant. :P

All very good arguements Wishblade, very true about the vibe, it is more noticable in a smaller city, but hey, thats what put us on the map...we are a small city that can work together to do great things.

As for the 1 hour/2.5 hour drive thing, We are talking about large outdoor concerts here, the kind of concert a person doesnt mind driving 2 hours to see. The 1 hour drive stat is more useful for a smaller indoor concert, like one at the metro center/ moncton coliseum...and yes Halifax easily beats moncton in that category.

[mmmatt]

Realtor study of 15 Canadian and 16 international cities ranks Metro Moncton executive homes No. 1 for affordability, London as most expensive

Times & Transcript (Moncton)
Thu 29 Mar 2007

If the financial minds of London, New York and Paris were really looking to get the most out of their money, they'd ditch their astronomically priced homes and bring their business to a city where they can get more oomph for a fraction of the price.

A Century 21 Canada survey of typical executive home prices in 15 Canadian and 16 international cities put Moncton at the very top of the list of affordable executive housing.

A typical executive home in Moncton costs $249,900. London, England topped the most expensive list with its typical home going for a heart-stopping $5.68 million.

"We are fortunate. We have inexpensive housing and the quality is good," says Paul Burns, a partner at Century 21 Countryside Realty in Moncton. "A lot of people can afford to own a house in Moncton that couldn't afford to own one anywhere else and we have tremendous quality of life here."

Singapore was second on the most affordable list at $304,135, while London, Ont. at $325,000, Bogota, Colombia at $368,852, and St. John's, Nfld. and Charlottetown, P.E.I., both priced $379,000, rounded out the top five.

While many Canadian cities fell onto the less expensive end of the list, not all offer executive housing at cheaper prices.

Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto, and Victoria were among the top 10, with Vancouver coming in at number three. A typical executive home in the West Coast city is priced at $1.55 million, compared to $1.2 million in Calgary, $890,000 in Toronto, and $850,000 in Victoria.

While Vancouver still has the most expensive real estate in Canada, Burns says they should be looking over their shoulder at Calgary.

"If Calgary has another year like last year, they will catch up," he says. "Their prices went up 51 per cent."

Burns says housing prices are all about demand and concentration of people.

"In Tokyo they sell land by the square centimetre, it is so dear. We can't even begin to comprehend it," he says. "Even in Europe, the Netherlands has the population of Canada and is about the size of P.E.I."His counterpart in London, England is listing 860 sq. ft. apartments at $3 million and $4 million.

Moncton, unlike many of the other cities on the list, also has plenty of room to grow.

Burns says land in Moncton is also easy to develop in comparison to other Atlantic Canadian cities like Halifax, Saint John, and St. John's.

"It is relatively flat, the soil is easy to work with, there is no blasting through rock to put in a foundation," he says. "The cost of development is quite good and that reflects in your building lot price. You can get a nice building lot for less than $40,000. Put the same lot in Halifax and it is closer to $70,000 or $100,000."

Burns helped supply the information used in the survey. He says they were specifically looking at executive homes downtown.

"We don't have executive homes downtown, but for us it is only a 10-minute drive anywhere," he says.

Instead, Burns focused on the Kingswood Park area of Moncton's north end, though he says there are a number of areas in each of the three communities in Metro Moncton that would also qualify. "They were taking (executive home) as a three or four bedroom two-storey with a double car garage," he says, explaining that the term "executive home" is usually used to describe a home that is a step up from the average.

Burns says they also collect information for a company that helps businesses figure out the costs of moving employees from one city to another and what impact it would have on the employees.

He says Moncton is a very attractive option.

"Not only is our residential real estate inexpensive, our commercial space is as well," he says, adding these costs all factor into a company's decision on where to set up shop.

That being the case, why aren't even more businesses looking to move in?

"I don't know why," Burns says. "Synergy is the buzz word they use... One comes and they all come. They've sort of landed regional offices in Halifax, but some of the ones looking now have to be taking (cost) into account. Halifax is getting almost as expensive as Montreal."

[mmmatt]

Environmental organization sets 45-day deadline to start process moving for Petitcodiac River cleanup

Times & Transcript (Moncton)
Fri 30 Mar 2007

Get moving on river cleanup in 45 days or we'll see you in court, federal Environment Minister Loyola Hearn was told yesterday by the Petitcodiac branch of the international Riverkeeper organization.

Petitcodiac Riverkeeper chairman Michel Desjardins said in an interview that the action they expect from Hearn's office is to light a fire under the provincial government on the river file, which he said has been stagnating since an Environmental Impact Assessment on cleanup options was completed 18 months ago.

"We want formal communication from the minister to the province indicating that New Brunswick is in violation of the federal Fisheries Act," said Desjardins.

"The minister has the power and the responsibility to enforce that Act and that is why we are addressing him.

"If he does not formally communicate with the province we will seek a court order compelling him to do that."

Such orders are normally sought in the province's 'high court' or Court of Queen's Bench, most likely here in Moncton, but Desjardins had no other details on a judicial application yesterday.

However, the chairman assured that his letter to Hearn is no publicity stunt.

"Riverkeeper members include a network of legal people and if we have to go that far we will; we are assembling a legal team now and when that's done a lawyer will be able to give the details of what they will do.

"This is serious, we have known for years that the Petitcodiac causeway is an illegal structure because in 2001 (then-Liberal environment minister) Herb Dhaliwal publicly stated the causeway poses a problem from a legal standpoint," Desjardins said.

"We also know that in the 18 months since the EIA was completed we have seen exactly one action from the province - the transfer of the file from the provincial Department of the Environment to the Department of Supply and Services," he said.

"Since then, nothing and now we say enough is enough. Is this serious? Yes, absolutely."

With the letter having been sent just yesterday, officials with Hearn's office in Ottawa could not immediately confirm whether the minister had perused it nor whether a comment would be forthcoming on the matter.

However. Supply and Services Minister Roly MacIntyre said yesterday that Riverkeeper is wrong if it suggests the province has done nothing but sit on the file for 18 months.

"It was only last December that we finally got the full EIA report (the previous government indicated last year that input from federal officials was required before it could be considered a final report) and we had to wait for that," said MacIntyre.

"That was mandatory, we had to wait, and at that time we said publicly that we would take four to six months to review the four (cleanup) options it contains. Environment (Canada) said any of the four options are fine with them but there is a wide variation there in terms of cost, anywhere from $34 million to $110 million.

"We're talking a lot of money here," added the minister, "so we struck a committee of senior bureaucrats to bring an option to cabinet and we are doing that right now, we're in the process and we are not one day behind. "

The minister added that government will stick its six-month deadline but cautioned, as he has done before, that the actual project could take a decade to complete and the next step after an option is selected is to negotiate a funding arrangement with Ottawa.

Given that the EIA was undertaken by the province but at the behest of Ottawa because the river does not comply with federal fish passage requirements set down in the federal Fisheries Act - a point against which MacIntyre noted that Petitcodiac Riverkeeper does not argue - the province is hoping for at least a 50 per cent federal contribution.

After that's done planning alone could take "a couple of years," said MacIntyre, followed by two more years of monitoring changes to the river when the causeway gates are opened to permit freer flow with accompanying physical impacts such as erosion.

Then there's the actual construction, which could take "anywhere from two to six years," said MacIntyre.

"If there is good news to report today it is that we are committed to this project, even without full support.

"I remind that Riverkeeper aside, there are still some who are not strong proponents of this project, but we are going to do this," said MacIntyre.

[Haliguy]

I always thought the citadel was a great location for concerts its a natural amphitheatre there. I don’t know why they don’t have concerts there anymore I mean there use to be one there every summer. The only draw back is it can only hold 30 to 40 thousand people. I know there were 35,000 for the summersault tour, which featured the Smashing Pumpkins.

[Haliguy]

I decided to do a little post as to why I feel Moncton is emerging as the primere site to hold large concerts in Atlantic Canada. I see four main reasons for this, ranging from most important to least are:



Average Number of Days per year With Fog

Halifax - 196
Moncton - (they didnt have a number on there but I assume it is very low...personally I have only seen it once or twice in 9+ years living in the city.)


(info from Weatherbase.com)


I personally don't find Halifax to be that foggy also when they say foggy days its not for the whole day it may be just morning fog. Its also worse in some parts of the years than others. In the spring there are more foggy days than other parts of the year and I have noticed it being quite foggy the last few springs. In late summer and into the fall when most of the concerts seem to be falling on there are hardly any foggy days at all.

[mmmatt]

I personally don't find Halifax to be that foggy also when they say foggy days its not for the whole day it may be just morning fog. Its also worse in some parts of the years than others. In the spring there are more foggy days than other parts of the year and I have noticed it being quite foggy the last few springs. In late summer and into the fall when most of the concerts seem to be falling on there are hardly any foggy days at all.

Yeah...its probably if there is any fog recorded at any time in the day at all...here is the amount of foggy days in halifax, on average, over the last 16 years:

June: 19
July: 20
Aug.: 20
Sep.: 16

You can find that info (along with lots of other cool weather facts about halifax) here: http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weatherall.php3?s=59317&refer=&units=us

[ElevatorGuy]

I find Halifax foggy. We dont get all pea soup fog but we get a lot of fog days where the cloud cover hangs around all day and ruins a potentially nice day. It was and I guess still hard to get use to.

[mmmatt]

Times & Transcript (Moncton)
Sat 31 Mar 2007


hockey players yesterday are among the last to use the Kay Arena in Moncton. Tomorrow from 4:45-6 p.m. there will be a public skate, which will be the last event at the venerable 35-year-old arena before it is torn down in the next few weeks to make way for a new yearround community centre.

[mmmatt]

From StatsCan

Airports with NAV CANADA air traffic control towers

The 42 Canadian airports with NAV CANADA air traffic control towers reported 315,722 aircraft take-offs and landings in January, up 8.2% compared with January 2006 (291,797 movements). Year-over-year increases in aircraft movements were reported by 28 of the airports in January 2007. The variations ranged from 99.8% at Moncton/Greater Moncton International to -47.1% at Chicoutimi/St-Honoré.

Itinerant movements (flights from one airport to another) increased by 5.6% (+12,378 movements) in January compared with the same month a year earlier. Year-over-year variations in itinerant movements ranged from a 66.7% increase (+1,865 movements) at Moncton/Greater Moncton International to a decline of 28.4% (-188 movements) at Chicoutimi/St-Honoré.

Local movements (flights that remain in the vicinity of the airport) increased by 16.1% (+11,547 movements) in January compared with January 2006. Year-over-year variations in local movements ranged from a 261.5% increase (+136 movements) at St. John’s International to a decline of 58.6%(-632 movements) at Chicoutimi/St-Honoré.

Atlantic Canadian Airports with NAV CANADA air traffic control towers

0. Name -- (national rank) -- total # of aircraft movements

1. Greater Moncton International -- (12) -- 7,814
2. Halifax International -- (20) -- 6,521
3. St. John's International -- (33) -- 2,951

[Wishblade]

From StatsCan

Airports with NAV CANADA air traffic control towers

The 42 Canadian airports with NAV CANADA air traffic control towers reported 315,722 aircraft take-offs and landings in January, up 8.2% compared with January 2006 (291,797 movements). Year-over-year increases in aircraft movements were reported by 28 of the airports in January 2007. The variations ranged from 99.8% at Moncton/Greater Moncton International to -47.1% at Chicoutimi/St-Honoré.

Itinerant movements (flights from one airport to another) increased by 5.6% (+12,378 movements) in January compared with the same month a year earlier. Year-over-year variations in itinerant movements ranged from a 66.7% increase (+1,865 movements) at Moncton/Greater Moncton International to a decline of 28.4% (-188 movements) at Chicoutimi/St-Honoré.

Local movements (flights that remain in the vicinity of the airport) increased by 16.1% (+11,547 movements) in January compared with January 2006. Year-over-year variations in local movements ranged from a 261.5% increase (+136 movements) at St. John’s International to a decline of 58.6%(-632 movements) at Chicoutimi/St-Honoré.

Atlantic Canadian Airports with NAV CANADA air traffic control towers

0. Name -- (national rank) -- total # of aircraft movements

1. Greater Moncton International -- (12) -- 7,814
2. Halifax International -- (20) -- 6,521
3. St. John's International -- (33) -- 2,951


Wow, I just looked at the stats on the statscan website. And some cities went way up, Moncton being one, and some way down. I didn't realize that such variations could occur in just 1 year. What would be the cause of this?

Considering the passenger counts for Halifax and Moncton, Im assuming Moncton must get a huge amount of cargo/carrier flights.

[mmmatt]

Wow, I just looked at the stats on the statscan website. And some cities went way up, Moncton being one, and some way down. I didn't realize that such variations could occur in just 1 year. What would be the cause of this?

I have no idea...Im pretty sure Moncton added a couple of new flights this year that could be part of it.

and about the cargo thig...yeah, moncton gets more cargo planes in than Halifax Im pretty sure...but just about the same anual tonnage, which means that more small cargo planes come into moncton, while less, but larger cargo planes go to halifax.

[mmmatt]

Interesting....I just got this off the HSIA site:

Total Aircraft Movements:
2006 - 86,110
2005 - 86,393
2004 - 89,845
2003 - 88,228
2002 - 85,033
2001 - 93,912
2000 - 141,248

Source: Statistics Canada

I have no idea where those numbers came from...maybe the numbers I was looking at were monthly lol

Edit: yeah...they are lol, that makes more sense.

[Wishblade]

Interesting....I just got this off the HSIA site:

Total Aircraft Movements:
2006 - 86,110
2005 - 86,393
2004 - 89,845
2003 - 88,228
2002 - 85,033
2001 - 93,912
2000 - 141,248

Source: Statistics Canada

I have no idea where those numbers came from...maybe the numbers I was looking at were monthly lol

Edit: yeah...they are lol, that makes more sense.

Yeah those aircraft movements are really interesting. Passenger traffic has been consistently rising without much fluxuation, but aircraft movements seem to be all over the place, but going down somewhat.

With that, its obviously just the result of larger and fewer aircraft coming into the airport than what was 5 or 6 years ago.

[mmmatt]

Yeah those aircraft movements are really interesting. Passenger traffic has been consistently rising without much fluxuation, but aircraft movements seem to be all over the place, but going down somewhat.

With that, its obviously just the result of larger and fewer aircraft coming into the airport than what was 5 or 6 years ago.

Exactly...the same thing is happening in moncton kinda

(for 2006, the number is 558,513)
http://www.gmia.ca/english/corp/stats/trafficlarge.jpg

(dunno the # for 2006)
http://www.gmia.ca/english/corp/stats/trafficlarge2.jpg

[ElevatorGuy]

Aircraft movements are high because of the cargo volume and the fact that the Moncton flight college runs their operations out of the old airport terminal.

[ErickMontreal]

Labour Market Review: January/February 2007

Southeast and Moncton

In the Southeast, the labour market situation worsened in January 2007. The area lost jobs and the labour force shrank. The unemployment rate was unchanged, with no significant change in the number of people looking for work.

In February 2007, the labour market deteriorated even more than in January. Employment was down and there were fewer people looking for work. Consequently, the labour force dropped.

In January 2007, Moncton's labour market slowed down considerably compared to January 2006. Employment was down and the employment rate dropped. The number of job hunters fell, bringing down the unemployment rate and the participation rate. The Moncton labour market continued its downward movement as compared to February 2006. Employment was down, despite population growth, causing employment rates to drop even more. More and more people stopped looking for work.

Construction

Dieppe – Dieppe council has decided that construction of phase one of a sports and aquatic centre will begin April 17, with the facility set to be completed by summer 2008.

Moncton – Construction of a new downtown Sobeys grocery store, at the corner of Vaughan Harvey Boulevard and Main Street, is expected to start this spring. The new store will be at least double the size of the current store and will require between 30 and 50 new employees.

Riverview – Construction should begin this spring on a new luxury condo development near the Moncton Golf & Country Club on Coverdale Road.

Wholesale & Retail

Riverview - Town Council has voted in favor of extending Riverview's Sunday shopping bylaw. As of February 11, stores are allowed to open between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Sundays.

Moncton - Sobeys is closing its Moncton administrative office on Elmwood Drive as part of a restructuring exercise. No layoffs are planned since most employees will take other jobs within the company.

Moncton - XS Cargo, an Edmonton-based chain selling brand name products at discounted prices, opened on February 23. The store is located in Mapleton Plaza on Mapleton Road.

Moncton - Molson is delaying the opening of its Moncton brewery because of problems with the pipes. Production had been expected to start this summer but no date has been set yet for the opening of the plant.


Community

Dieppe - Ramada Plaza Crystal Palace Hotel is expanding its convention centre. Work has begun at the centre for a new extension that will allow it to host 400 sit-down dinners instead of just 250. The work should be completed by April.

Moncton - The Atlantic Ballet Theatre of Canada has announced that it will be relocating its headquarters to 16 Highfield Street. Formerly the YMCA, the building is now owned by Ashford Investments and has been undergoing extensive renovations for the last year. The ballet company expects to move into the building by July 1. With 26,000 square feet, the building will be able to accommodate other tenants, however, no additional announcements have been made.

Business openings

Moncton - A new restaurant, Chez 5 Etoiles, will be opening soon in Robinson Court. It will be hiring five cooks and six servers.

Business Closings

Moncton - The Burger King outlet on Main Street closed in early January.

Moncton - The John Deere dealership on Edinburgh Drive closed before Christmas after its owner, Signature Tractor Inc., went into receivership.

Moncton - The Right Spot, located on Orange Lane, recently closed its doors.

Moncton - Skate to Snow, on Mountain Road, has closed recently. Meanwhile, Boardertech will move in mid-March to 581 Main Street from its current Champlain Street location.

Transportation & Warehousing

Moncton - The number of passengers using the airport totaled more than 558,500 in 2006, up 4.3 per cent from 2005 figures, while the amount of cargo handled exceeded 24,000 tons, an increase of 2.6 per cent over the previous year.

Education

Moncton - A Chinese language and cultural institute will open its doors in Moncton. Atlantic Education International Inc., an affiliate of the department of education, signed an agreement with the Office of Chinese Language Council International-Haban to establish the institute. Starting this spring, it will teach businesses how business deals are typically conducted in China as well as the language and facts about Chinese culture. As well as assisting businesses, the institute also hopes to offer language courses to high school, college and university students, and cultural festivities throughout the year.

New Brunswick - Beginning in September 2007, NBCC Campuses in Moncton, Saint John, Miramichi and Woodstock will add a General Studies program. This is a one-year transition-to-college program for high school graduates. The program will provide students the opportunity to improve essential academic and life skills and to explore career possibilities.

Health

Moncton - The government has approved a process for the establishment of a cardiac catheterization laboratory in Moncton at the Dr-Georges-L.-Dumont Regional Hospital. The lab would operate as a satellite of the New Brunswick Heart Centre in Saint John, and would be jointly managed by the Beauséjour and South-East Regional Health Authorities. The process would get started in the 2008-2009 fiscal year.

Moncton - The Atlantic Cancer Research Institute will receive $2.9 million from ACOA's Atlantic Innovation Fund. About two-thirds of the money will go to attracting new researchers to the institute while the rest will be used mainly to upgrade and buy new equipment.

[sdm]

pretty sad to hear about the labour, but great to hear some developements are still happening, especially the sobey's downtown. That should help the area a lot residental wise.

[ErickMontreal]

pretty sad to hear about the labour, but great to hear some developements are still happening, especially the sobey's downtown. That should help the area a lot residental wise.

I guess that Moncton market is unable to absorb all new comers due to his considerable number.

[ErickMontreal]

Destination gaming still favoured in Metro

Published Thursday April 26th, 2007
Appeared on page A1

Government is still weeks or even months away from releasing a gaming policy for New Brunswick but Metro Moncton is ready to talk anytime about 'destination gaming' as support for the concept appears to be weakening in the province's other two large cities.

Earlier this week the results of a survey undertaken by Omnifacts Bristol showed 48 per cent of residents polled in Saint John, Rothesay, Quispamsis, St. Martins and Grand Bay-Westfield oppose the establishment of a gaming destination in the area.

Meanwhile 39 per cent of respondents were in favour and nine per cent undecided.

The results suggest some weakening in support for gaming in Saint John since the last time any form of province-wide pulse-taking on any form of gambling was undertaken in New Brunswick.

In May of 2001 during the first mandate of former Conservative Premier Bernard Lord a referendum was conducted to see if New Brunswickers wanted to continue permitting the use of video lottery terminals or 'VLTs.'

New Brunswickers decided to keep the machines by a narrow margin of 53 per cent but a breakdown of the numbers showed that support was much greater in eastern New Brunswick, among francophone New Brunswickers and above all in the Metro Moncton area.

Moncton voted heavily in favour of keeping the machines, by a margin of 14,061 to 10,411 while Fredericton and Saint John both voted narrowly against keeping them.

Perhaps more telling in the Fredericton vote was the apparent lack of interest in the subject in the capital city, a city about a third the size of Metro but which registered a nay majority of only 1,862 to 1,699 compared to the huge vote in Moncton.

Since then Fredericton City Council has stated they are not interested in a casino and Saint John has backed off on the idea of a 'racino,' a gaming destination concept that combines VLTs or related machines, table gambling and track betting.

Meanwhile in the Moncton area business and political leaders are choosing their words carefully in terms of the news from Saint John.

For one thing, says Moncton Mayor Lorne Mitton, the results of a random sampling of respondents in a survey doesn't necessarily mean the business community isn't interested in Saint John, which in the past has presented itself as a logical gaming site with its cruise ship business in the summers.

Mitton noted in an interview that Moncton City Council's interest in destination gaming is already on the record from a council vote last October.

That motion stated council wants to "begin discussions immediately with the provincial government on the development of an entertainment centre, which would include a gaming facility in Moncton."

The mayor was careful to point out that the motion doesn't say whether council is for or against destination gaming, presumably to suggest that would be a matter of vigorous public discussion.

What it means, he said, "is that we want to be at the table to see where Moncton would fit in their policy so that council would be in position to decide where we want to go with that policy."

Having said that the mayor added it should be obvious by now that council is interested in a convention centre in the city and that if gaming is a logical partner for that, they are "interested.

"For example I personally would like to see an entertainment component to a development like that rather than just a casino and nothing more, but these are subjects that await the release of the gaming policy."

Nonetheless interviews yesterday suggest Metro-area interests are looking at the 'pros' of destination gaming at least as much as the 'cons.'

Riverview Mayor Clarence Sweetland says his council hasn't discussed the subject formally but suspects if there ever came a day when a gaming policy was released, that the Metro area was designated as the site for a potential casino and Moncton City Council didn't want it, Riverview might be interested.

"A number of concerns have been raised such as gambling addiction," says Sweetland.

"Obviously there is a downside but it hasn't spelled the end of Halifax so far and I think many people in Riverview might be thinking 'it's going to go to one place in New Brunswick sooner or later, that it will mean quite a few jobs.'

"We'd have to see, but I don't know if there would be any great opposition to it in Riverview."

Sweetland added that in his opinion people throughout the Metro area are as concerned about the downside of gambling as anyone but also get the concept that a strong and diversified economy is important and that gaming could be a part of that.

"Money is a dirty word," he says, "but everybody seems to need it."

Five years ago former Downtown Moncton Inc. director Ken Kelly conducted a survey of all DMI member businesses on the subject.

"There hasn't been a lot of talk about it among members since then," says current director Daniel Allain, "but at the time the majority were open to some form of gaming in our core.

After that we did some preliminary work on the concept but we hoped the province would have had the gaming policy ready by now.

"The majority of our board members are looking forward to that because gaming could certainly have an impact on our core and be instrumental in bringing in a convention centre.

"The premier has spoken in Moncton before about putting the two concepts together."

[ErickMontreal]

The operative word for Moncton during 2006 was "up"!

Everything that city leaders could hope for kept happening throughout the year as overall economic health indicators continued to post up trending numbers.

Monctonians enjoyed a steady upbeat business climate, which was paced by announcements of business expansions and visible signs of new infrastructure construction in most areas of the city.

Leading the “upbeat” numbers for economic performance was the value of building permits issued by the City of Moncton, for 2006.

The total value of building permits issued in 2006 at $141,400,000, exceeded 2005 by nearly 5 percent ($134.9 million in 2005). This total represents the second best year ever for the City of Moncton.

2006 building permits total marks the fifth consecutive year where the total value of building permits issued in the City of Moncton exceeded $120 million.

“This is significant when considering that the City issued between $50 and $60 million per year throughout most of the ‘90s", commented Ben Champoux, Business Development Specialist for the City of Moncton.

"Residential, institutional and commercial sectors all performed really well in 2006. This clearly indicates our diversified economy and strong consumer confidence", says Champoux.

The enduring "up" impact was also felt in the conventional residential real estate market, where Moncton paced a record 2006 in resale units with 2,561 MLS sales recorded, representing a 9.4 percent up increase over the previous year 2005.

This up trend line continues in terms of the number of completed real estate sales increasing at an average of 8.8 percent each year, since 1997, according to Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation's annual report on Moncton’s real estate performance and economic indicators study.

Again, Moncton boasts an up record in home prices with an increase in value recorded by CMHC of $4,500 in 2006. Continuing a trend line of growth, multiple starts for residential posted an increase of 42 percent for the year, while single starts continued a slight decline that started in 2005 as multiples began their popularity with home buyers.

Moncton's booming retail and mixed industry base economy is showing strengths in every sector and this increasing wealth generation is being displayed in the overall increases enjoyed in Moncton's principal personal investment area of higher income home construction and real estate purchases.

CMHC notes that in 2003, in Moncton, only 0.8 percent of the new homes were worth more than $250,000, while in 2005 and 2006, Moncton’s residential housing values above the $250,000 price point enjoyed double digit percentage increases.

In the previous year, 2005 some 11 percent of Moncton homes cost more than $250,000 and the average price of a home had risen to $191,220, which is up 13.2 percent from 2005 figures.

Another up sector for Moncton 2006 was further development announcements in retail space and national brand store openings, further enhancing the Maritimes' Hub City status for shopping outlets. A new and expanded footprint in square footage for Future Shop, anchored a number of new Wheeler Park Power Centre stores opening and re-locating in the Mapleton Road-Trinity Drive uber-shopping area..

In a story of local entrepreneurship that is common to Moncton, a local business developed in the local music industry, building in the process a Maritime wide reputation for musical instruments and instruction. In 2006, Frank's Music moved from its old location downtown to help anchor a multi-tenant music centre complex of independent music outlets that helps to support a new school serving several hundred potential music instruction students per year.

And where is this remarkable achievement ?

The Music Centre is located in the middle of the hottest retail sector development in Atlantic Canada next door to Montana's Restaurant and the Home Depot as part of the Trinity Power Centre complex along the Mapleton and Mountain Road’s axis of retail in Moncton’s northwest corner.

Moncton-based Ashford Investments Ltd. created a new company division called Mapleton Power Centre to buy the 33 rough acreage of land on Mapleton Road’s northeast corner, running along Wheeler Blvd West.

Ashford’s new multi – store complex will result in more big box and super shopping size retail stores, including the 2006 announcement of The Brick, one of Canada's largest furniture and appliance retailers, taking residence in Moncton’s newest shopping centre development.

Also in 2006, Ashford announced their plans for a downtown heritage building, the former YCMA building that began renovation in 2006 as a mixed used commercial property. The renovation is anchored by the Atlantic Ballet School of Canada, which is relocating from smaller premises downtown and is one of Moncton’s newest, “can-do” entrepreneurial success stories.

Ashford’s Mapleton development is just a short distance south of the new Future Inn, which also opened in 2006, along with a re-located premium Moncton dining restaurant, Maverick’s. This combination of local entrepreneurs and expanding national and international chains teaming up to create new and expanded projects together is a growing and frequent new development trend in Moncton’s business community.

The Future Inn/Maverick’s Restaurant hotel-restaurant hybrid will see another international brand flag hotel-motel built directly opposite the Moncton entrance at the corner of the Mapleton Road and TCH Highway # 2 interchange. Mapleton Road is rapidly becoming a main entrance connector to Moncton’s north end and access point to Wheeler Blvd, which runs as a ring road around Moncton, connecting the Town of Riverview on the southwest, with the City of Dieppe on the east..

All these recent business expansions, relocations and new real estate investments in Moncton are continuing to build out the Hub City’s reputation as a shopping-as-entertainment location destination for eastern Canada.

Further powering up Moncton's 2006 growth indicators was the expansion of the Medavie/Blue Cross Centre office building, with the office tower construction crane coming down just as the year came to an end. Within days on the same downtown Moncton block, another tall building crane moved into place for the 2007 construction completion of the Marriott Moncton, which is an executive class premium brand hotel with a national brand Keg Restaurant included as part of their new offering downtown.

Current plans call for a new provincial justice courthouse facility and further expansion of the City’s Convention facilities to enhance Moncton’s Downtown re-development area as Moncton slowly recasts its core business community and visitor facilities. Years in the planning and negotiation, the gradual transformation of Moncton’s core downtown area is being anchored by additional premium hotels, restaurants and services related to a focus on expanding Moncton’s convention and meeting hub status.

While Monctonians were enduring daily commuting delays during the summer of 2006 due to roadway construction and streetscape expansion, one of the Atlantic region's leading economic think tanks singled Moncton out for some comparative praise and recognition of recent economic accomplishments, as a model for civic development..

The Atlantic Provinces Economic Council, a not-for-profit research organization, released their 2006 report that highlighted Moncton, as it profiled the growing economic role of cities in Atlantic Canada.

The report highlighted that Moncton has benefited from the number of people leaving New Brunswick's rural areas and moving to the province's cities.

In fact, Moncton's growth surpassed national growth rates for smaller cities and increased its population at an annual rate of almost one per cent. The only other city in the region to report similar growth was Halifax.

Despite a drop in Atlantic Canada's population between 1995 and 2004, the region's six fastest growing cities - Halifax, St. John's, Moncton, Saint John, Fredericton and Charlottetown - grew by 50,000 people during that period.

"The path towards greater urbanization is just as evident in this region," said Elizabeth Beale, author of the report. "We're a slower growing region, we've had all sorts of economic challenges over the last little while, but even within that mix urban areas, and some of them in particular, are doing quite well." Moncton, for example.

It was acknowledged in releasing the 2006 report that one of the keys to Moncton's success is the city's ability to diversify its economy. When Moncton lost the CN rail yard and Eaton's a few years ago it could have been the beginning of a spiraling downward trend for the city's economy. However, instead, the city successfully attracted different business ventures - including the call centre industry - and was able to move forward.

It's that kind of "can-do" attitude that attracts investors to Moncton, said Beale. "I think Moncton is an example of a city that has managed to re-invent itself," she said.

"In other words, moving from traditional roles in the transportation industry, for example, and losing out on a certain amount of that hub and spoke activity, but then finding a new base of growth." As well, about 80 per cent of the region's job growth is in the service and business service industries, which includes the call centre sector.

"They've been especially important to Moncton's economy," said Beale.

During the year examined in the report, 2004, Moncton boasted the lowest unemployment rate among the three cities with 69,100 workers and its median household income sat at $43,766.

When it comes to manufacturing activity, Moncton has also been able to report an increase in this type of work, states the report.

While the look-back-in-time study by the economic council report contributed to Moncton's business community sense of recognized positive growth, it was the actual uptake on the current real economic performance numbers for the end of year 2006 that generated a positive buzz through Moncton's commercial and industrial community.

The Greater Moncton region, served by the Greater Moncton Planning Commission, released end of year numbers that profiled not only Moncton as the hub of generating local growth, but that the community extremities of the Hub City are enjoying "record levels of construction", says it’s Executive Director, Bill Budd.

Budd says that the total value of all construction in the 13 communities and the unincorporated areas served by the GMPDC came to more than $254 million. With major projects like Downtown Moncton's new Marriott Hotel going into active construction during the last month of 2006 that final year end numbers will be even stronger.

Budd explained that about $141 plus million of that construction was inside Moncton, with most of the balance in the two main adjacent communities of Riverview and Dieppe. Contributing to that overall total is activity in several of the smaller outlying areas.

Major projects moved into firmer timelines during 2006, where the Planning Commission noted that in Moncton, plans for a flagship Sobey's store at the corner of the expanded and re-built Vaughn Harvey Blvd as it connects to the new Moncton Bridge will make this significant acreage area the strategic intersection of Main Street and Vaughan Harvey Boulevard.

Extending Vaughn Harvey Blvd south from Main Street will connect to the Gunningsville Bridge by late 2007 and the critical CN mainline rail tracks was connected over the new Vaughn Harvey rail-highway underpass with highway to bridge access connectors projected to be completed in the fall of 2007.

In addition to Downtown re-development and retail expansion at Mapleton Road, another Moncton developer, Giffels Management Ltd., began construction of a new $15- million office building in the Emmerson Business and Technology Park on Millennium Boulevard. This is the third new office complex of a similar nature in a cluster in this area.

New residential development in 2006, resulted in a new concept in mixed, high density townhouses, which finished construction on the edge of Emmerson Park. Emmerson Park is an area roughly identified as the former Canada Lands renovation of the once major CN Railway Shops, which is located on the same land area and now host of several new land use components. This is another growing success story in Moncton’s steady year over year development and growth.

During 2006, Moncton Industrial Park achieved near total residency as the final few lots infilled with new tenant buildings, while several existing buildings dating back to the launch of the industrial park in the late 60’s, saw renovation and renewal with new tenant uses.

Major construction of Molson’s new $35 million brewery in Caledonia Industrial Estates was achieved during 2006, as well as a significant number of new light industrial – commercial buildings which sprung up in the popular industrial park.

The Planning Commission year end report also noted that in Riverview, the biggest development has been road construction of an east- west corridor, which is expected to spur economic development significantly when it is completed in 2007.

All of this commercial activity across Moncton and in the surrounding communities has been a positive impact on the commercial real estate market according to analysis released by Tim Lyons Regional Manager of Colliers International (Atlantic) Inc., New Brunswick office, located in Moncton.

He noted that office and industrial developments have added much-needed supply to a tight commercial real estate market in Moncton, and he says this development is a welcome sign during a major commercial boom in the hub city. "Moncton has seen some new growth in multi-tenant office and industrial construction; however, our vacancy rates remain below ten percent," he says. "The industrial vacancy rate hasn't been this low since 2003."

Low vacancy rates means companies are scooping up commercial properties as fast as they're being built.

Lyons says the four-storey annex to the Blue Cross Centre has added valuable commercial space to Moncton's downtown commercial landscape. He noted that Giffels’ four-storey office project in the Emmerson Business Park opening in mid-2007 is a positive growth for Moncton.

Lyons says multi-tenant industrial construction is rare in Metro Moncton. Compared to other centres across Canada, Moncton has very few multi-tenant industrial facilities and the majority of those are fully leased.

The Colliers report noted that at the end of 2006, the industrial vacancy rate in Moncton stood at 4.7 per cent and a vacancy rate below five per cent is considered to have only enough vacant space in the market for exciting tenants' expansion. Lyons says of 8.6 million square feet surveyed in the report, there is only 405,000 square feet vacant in the city. He says as industrial projects push forward in Metro, more facilities will need to be constructed to meet strong industry demand.

Downtown Moncton during 2006 completed a visioning exercise to help guide the growing investment in downtown Moncton focusing on streetscapes and landscapes as part of a continuing renewal of the city. Creating a visual architecture and green space flow became evident as the renewed and expanded Assumption Blvd was partially completed as an integrated component of the extended highway network flowing to and away from the new Moncton-Gunningsville bridge.

Results from Canada's 2006 Census were released in March. For the first time, the Moncton area was classified as a Census Metropolitan Area. The population figures related to the CMA illustrate the growth and activity in this part of the province as the Moncton CMA has taken over top spot as the largest in the Province.

According to the census, the total population for the Moncton CMA is 126,424. This represents an increase of 6.5% from the previous census in 2001. To put it into perspective, this is the largest percentage increase of any of the large urban areas of Atlantic Canada. It is also above the overall Canada wide increase of 5.4%. Moncton has been enjoying remarkable growth rates as these latest census figures attest and it is seen throughout every sector of its economy.

The year 2006 is truly an economic performance up year for Moncton.

[ErickMontreal]

Planning continues for Mapleton widening

Published Thursday May 3rd, 2007

http://www.canadaeast.com/storyImages/CEExport159329_71928.jpg
http://www.canadaeast.com/storyImages/CEExport159329_71916.jpg

There's still much design work to be done before the City of Moncton can give specific details on widening Mapleton Road, according to city roadway engineer Daniel Haché.

However, that design work is starting in earnest now that Denis Landry, the Minister of Transportation, has sent Moncton Mayor Lorne Mitton a letter announcing $3 million in funding for the road widening as well as a commitment to expanding the Wheeler Boulevard overpass, a project that will likely cost the province another $3 million.

Hache said the city knows it will be buying land to accommodate the widening, but couldn't say yet with certainty if it will purchase it all along one side or split the difference along both sides.

Meanwhile, a provincial Department of Transportation spokeswoman said yesterday specifics on the widening of the overpass were not yet available.

"We are at a very early stage of the project," said Mona Chiasson. "We will be in consultation with the City of Moncton for the design of the structure."

[ErickMontreal]

Moncton seeks new NYC flights

by rod allen

Published Friday May 4th, 2007

Greater Moncton International Airport CEO Rob Robichaud says he's flying down to Houston later this month to make his pitch to Continental Airlines for a second direct daily flight to New York.

Which is a polite way of saying GMIA won't be pursuing Delta Airlines to add a Moncton service, admits Robichaud - at least not right away.

Last month, Delta announced it was going with smaller aircraft for its daily direct Fredericton-Boston service but the message had an upside in that the airline is doubling the number of flights to twice daily, starting early next month.

While that news suggests Delta might be approachable for a service from another New Brunswick airport, GMIA isn't ready to throw its hat in the ring just yet.

Robichaud congratulated Fredericton Airport CEO David Innes for his Delta coup but added in an interview that he won't be approaching that airline or any other trans-border service for Moncton until it has its Continental business built up to where GMIA wants it to be - twice daily.

Through its regional carrier Con tin tent al Express, the airline launched a daily Moncton-New York flight in May of 2006 and with good prices - as low as $450 for a round trip booked well in advance but still under $600 booked closer to flight time - it has averaged a respectable 75 per cent capacity with some impressive individual months in the mix, including 99 per cent in March this year.

Those numbers were good enough to bring Continental executive Michele Maciek to Moncton that month to announce the airline is interested in a second flight but wanted to spend a little more time analyzing numbers and passenger patterns.

For example, March might have been fabulous but February was a flop, reported Maciek, and the airline needs to figure out why.

Robichaud figures he already knows why.

"Greater frequency will bring bigger numbers," says the former fighter pilot.

Currently Continental flies out of Moncton at 6:35 a.m. and that is a generally good draw for the southeastern area and particularly for the business community, "but if you're driving in from Bathurst, that's tough start to the day," says Robichaud.

"We think if you add another flight just a little bit later, say 10 a.m., that makes the flight more attractive to more people from further out from the city so bottom line, you'll expand your catchment area."

GMIA and is parent company in Vancouver have a complete program on how to stimulate Canadian regional markets and the expanded catchment scheme is just one element of it, says Robichaud, who's taking the whole package to Houston in two weeks.

GMIA marketing director Johanne Gallant, Enterprise Greater Moncton CEO John Thompson and several others are accompanying the mission to Houston.

Robichaud said the intent is to convince Continental to add a second flight in 2008 and that seems to make sense with other developments in the industry.

In March, Maciek told the Moncton Rotary Club that unravelling the mysteries of New Brunswick flying habits isn't the only thing holding up a second

daily flight here - currently there aren't enough aircraft to operate one.

Continental Express's regional services are 'jets only.'

The Moncton flight service, for example, uses the popular 50-passenger Embraer ERJ-145 and right now manufacturers are fresh out of mid-size regional jets like the Embraer.

[ErickMontreal]

New justice centre plan in works

Developer Dick Carpenter proposes building new Moncton courthouse on Main

By Rod Allen

Times & Transcript Staff
Published Tuesday May 8th, 2007

A solid proposal has finally emerged for a justice building in the city under a public-private partnership as the new provincial government proposes, but there is still no word from any level of government on how soon a project might be announced.

The proposal for a justice building on 24,000 square feet of land on the south side of Main Street adjacent Bore Park and across Mechanic Street from Codiac RCMP headquarters in downtown Moncton was actually first proposed by prominent New Brunswick developer Dick Carpenter three years ago.

Carpenter's proposal to the government of Bernard Lord never received a response and the former premier subsequently went on to announce a $23-million project for the northeast corner of Westmorland Street and Boulevard Assomption.

The government changed last year and that project never came to pass, but since then new Premier Shawn Graham has said his government is "committed" to a justice building for Moncton and that it is leaning strongly toward a public-private partnership, rather than building it entirely with public money as the Lord government proposed to do.

The city has never had a building actually dedicated to the administration of justice since incorporation in 1855, although the province has been renting space in Assomption Tower on Main since it was built in the 1970s.

Previously the Court of Queen's Bench was located in the old McSweeney's Block at the termination of Botsford Street at Main and the provincial court was held in the old police station on Duke Street.

Now New Brunswick's largest city, Metro Moncton and the judicial district of Moncton also handle more cases than any other jurisdiction in the province and pressure has been mounting on successive governments to do something about space and security issues in the current setting.

Although Denis Losier, CEO of Assomption Vie (and owner of Assomption Tower) has strongly hinted his company has the land and the means to form a partnership with the new government for a justice building project, no specific proposal has come to light from that company.

But last week sources told the newspaper something was up on Main Street, possibly involving the former Hollis Lincoln Mercury dealership and more land directly across Main from it, and possibly involving Carpenter and at least one other prominent Moncton-based developer.

Reached later, Carpenter said in an interview he is on his own with his proposal and that the Hollis-Lincoln property is not involved, at least right now.

Carpenter said he has acquired more land immediately adjacent to his property and that he is indeed talking to the new owner of the former Hollis-Lincoln land, but that particular property is not vital to a justice building proposal.

In fact, added Carpenter, the land beside Codiac RCMP could be used for any number of developments that will likely fall into place if either a justice building or a convention centre should ever come to pass, but since he has already drawn up a proposal for the former, a justice building could certainly be built there.

Carpenter said the land is situated in such a way that he could build a structure about 23,000 square feet in area and "go up as high as necessary."

Carpenter also mentioned the extra land he acquired recently would be used for 58 underground parking spots - a vital component for a justice building given that judges and other courts officers, speaking on the original Lord proposal a couple of years ago, said security is one of the major problems with the current setting and that a new one would also have to have at least 50 dedicated parking spots.

Another aspect of Carpenter's proposal that could prove tempting to the three-level government proponents is that Codiac RCMP are complaining of running out of space at the current headquarters, built 20 years ago to house the old Moncton Police Force.

Carpenter proposes a 23,000-square-foot building, two, three or more floors if necessary, and two links to Codiac RCMP if government proposes to expand the current HQ eastward, presumably a much cheaper proposal than building anew.

One passage would be underground and the other an elevated enclosed ped-way over Mechanic, similar to the two pedways spanning Main between Highfield Square and federal buildings at the west end of downtown and between City Hall and Blue Cross/Bruncor at the east end (just west of the proposed justice building site).

Carpenter acknowledged that he has also written to the Graham government about his proposal, on March 28, but that he has not received a response.

Inquiries to the premier were met by communications director Marie-Andree Bolduc, who says the premier is still committed to the project but that "for now it is still pending further discussion with Ottawa.

"Our position hasn't changed."

While that is somewhat reassuring to Moncton Mayor Lorne Mitton, it's not exactly refreshing.

The mayor said he contacts Fredericton weekly and sometimes more often about the justice building project, has been to Ottawa to meet with federal officials on that and other city projects three times since February and has exactly as many details as he did when he started.

The mayor disagreed that he was feeling 'frustrated' with the upper levels but agreed he is getting "anxious as everybody else to see something started."

Like Carpenter, the mayor says a justice building and a convention centre don't have to be joined at the hip either by time or space, but that one needs to happen in order to get the other - and perhaps many other associated projects - under way.

At least Moncton has a number of things going for it in a long and anxious waiting game, observes Carpenter.

"There's an opportunity to do something substantial on Main Street whether or not its on my property," he says, "for a justice building, and the convention centre further down.

"That's because there's just not enough land to do everything in one spot, but we are lucky in Moncton in that we have a lot of available land unlike other cities such as Halifax or Saint John.

"We still have to be cautious about how we plan things (but) the justice building alone would cause other things to happen downtown, as would a convention centre on its own."

[ErickMontreal]

Convention centre top priority for Moncton
Mayor says premier will join him in Ottawa to make business case for federal

By Brent Mazerolle
Times & Transcript Staff
Published Tuesday May 15th, 2007
Appeared on page A1

Moncton Mayor Lorne Mitton gave his state of the city address yesterday, spreading the good news about the year the city has had and acknowledging the challenges New Brunswick's largest urban area continues to face.

The good news was plentiful as he spoke to about 200 people at a Rotary Club luncheon at the Delta Beauséjour Hotel.

Unemployment is down - just over five per cent as of March - tourism expenditures are up to a new high of $361 million, 2006 was the second best construction year in the city's history with 2007 on pace to surpass that, there is plenty of activity downtown (not counting the justice and convention centres), and the municipal transit system is poised to double its capacity.

Meanwhile the Millennium Trail system continues to grow on its way to one day linking most parts of the city. As of June 22, citizens will be able to take advantage of wi-fi technology to access the Internet in parts of downtown. Moncton is on tap to host the largest country music show ever in Atlantic Canada when Tim McGraw and Faith Hill come in September. The New York Islanders have announced they will use Moncton for their training camp. The Moncton Technology Planning Group is working to make Metro Moncton the technology-based business centre of the Maritimes.

"A lot has happened," Mitton said of the city's accomplishments, just a few of which are listed here, "but as we all know, a lot still needs to happen."

"We'll always have challenges," Mitton told his audience, conceding the struggle to build a downtown convention centre continues to be everyone's priority. "I've been to Ottawa three times since February. We're there to make a business case. We're not there on bended knee," he said.

"The premier informed me last week he will travel with me to meet with Prime Minister Harper for one last kick at this with the federal government," Mitton added. He did not yet have a set date for the meeting.

As for other challenges, the mayor pointed out money was now coming from the province for Mapleton Road, again a project he said for which there was a solid business case. He promised there should be news about tri-community negotiating over water some time in June and said the three communities were also making steady progress in policing cost negotiations.

While it was a confident, largely good news speech the mayor delivered, Mitton avoided answering if it was a de facto campaign speech. Asked if he would reoffer for mayor next year, he said, "My vision has been to keep on 2007. I have so much I have to do this year, that when I get towards the end of the year, then I'll think of next year."

Meanwhile, Mitton didn't quite sound like a campaigner when he refused to promise good news tax cuts come budget time. "I ran on a campaign that I would stabilize the tax rate and we've done that," he said, adding "the eight per cent we got last year enables us to help the city grow. If we get new subdivisions and the like, that mean we have new roads, new sidewalks to make..."

Ultimately, he said, the tax rate will be a decision of the whole council.

[Smevo]

This is the problem with NB cities right now, you have Fredericton, Moncton, Saint John, and Miramichi all asking the province and the feds for funding for convention centres all promised by the former government. I just don't see Ottawa being too keen on shelling out that much money for four small cities all so close together.

[ErickMontreal]

You are right . In that case Saint john already has convention center and I am sure that Moncton without convention center attracts the same conventions average than Saint John. On the other hand, I suppose that private sector in Moncton should put money on the table, compagnies like Verdiroc that has rights since the last seven years for the land has to take the risck and doing something with this prime location. A convention center is the key for other developments in Moncton core for sure.

[Smevo]

^that's the case for Fredericton as well, it's actually a development I'm anxiously waiting for, and as soon as it breaks ground I'll be heading out for pictures. But, nomatter how vital it is for the city, it's a harder sell for the feds, especially considering SJ and Fredericton, and maybe the other two as well, are getting federal money already for new arenas. Moncton's will almost definitely happen before Freddy's though, as it's a smaller (and less expensive) proposal. I'm hoping it gets done, just want to keep things in perspective somewhat.

[ErickMontreal]

Moncton province's economic engine?

DAVID SHIPLEY
Telegraph-Journal
Published Tuesday May 15th, 2007
Appeared on page A3

A continuing boom in construction, growth in the tourism sector, progress on revitalizing the downtown area and low unemployment have given the Hub City something to boast about, says Mayor Lorne Mitton.

"All of this is further evidence that Moncton has become the undisputed economic engine of New Brunswick," Mitton said during his State of the City address.

"For the province to grow, I think Greater Moncton has to grow."

He quickly listed off a number of positive economic indicators for Moncton during his lunch-time speech to members of the Moncton Rotary Club and Downtown Moncton Centre-ville Inc.

He pointed out that tourism expenditures in Moncton grew by 2.6 per cent in 2006 to $361.6 million, even as most regions experienced a decline.

The city also had its second best construction year ever, with building permits totalling $141 million.

Mitton said Moncton's unemployment rate, slightly more than five per cent in March, was also a good sign for the local economy.

The mayor also highlighted the construction of a new Marriott Residence Inn hotel on Main Street as well mentioning that construction on a $13-million, 10,000-seat multi-sport stadium at the Université de Moncton is set to begin soon.

He also spoke about the long-delayed convention centre and justice complex projects, which are seen as the Crown jewels of a revitalized downtown core.

News on the start of construction of a new justice complex is coming soon, he stressed.

"(It's) going to happen, really," said Mitton. "Really, it is. Our premier tells me positive news is coming within the next couple of months."

The justice complex, originally priced at $28 million when first announced two years ago, may cost the province as much as $40 million.

The facility is set to be built at the northeast corner of Assomption Boulevard and Westmorland Street, has been delayed because of concerns about soil contamination.

There is also a low water table causing problems for underground parking.

Competing development proposals, some of which have suggested another location for the complex, also slowed progress.

Mitton said he's also planning one more trip to Ottawa to lobby the federal government for money for a proposed $18-million convention centre and hotel complex.

The convention centre is planned to go across the street from the justice complex.

Mitton said Premier Shawn Graham was going to help him lobby the Conservative government.

"He will travel with me and we will meet with Prime Minister Stephen Harper for one last kick at this thing," he said.

Mitton received a round a laughter during speech when he read a headline from a local alternative magazine.

"Last week's Here magazine's front page touted in a very large headline that 'Moncton doesn't suck.' Great news, I'm always glad to hear we don't suck," he said while holding a copy of the magazine in the air.

After his speech Mitton defended his description of Moncton as the undisputed economic engine of the province, despite a surge in economic activity in Saint John as a result of energy projects.

According to Statistics Canada, Saint John's building permits totalled $178.8 million, up 22.6 per cent from 2005.

Mitton said his comment wasn't meant to disparage the Port City and pointed out that he has congratulated Saint John for its energy sector growth in the past.

"If we have two great economic engines - that's great."

[ErickMontreal]

Moncton will get a Hotel 6, I have seen the advertising at the end of Mountain road just in front other hotels. Moreover, the Hampton Inn as well as Mapleton power center will start soon on Mapleton.

[ErickMontreal]

New Sobeys store could lead to more downtown Moncton development

May 24, 2007 - 9:57 am
By: Rebecca Davis, News 91.9 Staff

MONCTON, NB-It won't be long before there's a new Sobeys store at the corner of Vaughan Harvey Boulevard and Main Street in Moncton.

A sod turning ceremony for the new development was held this morning.

The new Sobeys location will double in size compared to the Highfield Square store which will close when the new store opens.

As part of the same complex, NB Liquor will open a new signature store there as well.

Moncton mayor, Lorne Mitton, who was at this morning's ceremony, says the new addition of the larger Sobeys where the new roadway to Riverview is being built, is just another step towards refurbishing the city's downtown.

Construction is expected to be complete by later this fall.

Meanwhile, Moncton, Riverview, Dieppe MP, Brian Murphy, says the new development will just leave Highfield Square looking like a very attractive redevelopment option for retailers.

[ErickMontreal]

New Sobeys to open in Dec.
Highfield Square owner 'would love to redevelop' property when grocery store moves to Main and Vaughan Harvey

Times & Transcript Staff
Published Friday May 25th, 2007
Appeared on page A1

The construction of a new grocery store in downtown Moncton is getting the thumbs up from the city mayor and local Member of Parliament.

As tractors roared in the background yesterday, dignitaries officially 'broke ground' for construction of a new Sobeys on the corner of Main Street and Vaughan Harvey Blvd.

Sobeys already has a location downtown in Highfield Square shopping centre; that store will close when the new store opens in December.

With Sobeys being one of two major retail tenants in Highfield Square (the other being The Bay), speculation has arisen about the mall's future once the grocery store leaves.

Steve Cleroux is the manager of real estate development for ECL Properties Ltd., owner of Highfield Square as well as the site of the new Sobeys location and two other buildings - all on the same city block.

Cleroux said nobody should take Sobeys leaving Highfield Square as a sign the mall will close its doors soon, although he admits some changes to the mall may take place in the future.

"Highfield Square is certainly on ECL's development screen as far as a property we would love to redevelop," he said.

"It's top of mind right now with our company."

Cleroux wouldn't specify on what, if any, redevelopment would happen. But he hoped the announcement of new development on the city block would give some encouragement to tenants inside the mall.

"We hope this ... shows our commitment to the whole site in downtown Moncton."

As far as the new Sobeys location goes, Moncton Mayor Lorne Mitton thinks it will be the beginning of a brand new business sector extending the downtown further west.

"It's only a sign of better things to come," he said "I think the potential is unlimited now with the opening this fall of the new Vaughan Harvey Blvd. and the bridge going through... it's going to benefit Riverview on the other side just as much as it's going to benefit us here."

Moncton-Riverview-Dieppe MP Brian Murphy said discussion of business development in the area began in 1992 when he began to sit as a Moncton city councillor. He said it continued right on through to when he was mayor of the city from 1998 to 2004.

Murphy said the extension of Vaughan Harvey Blvd. (currently under construction) and joining it with the new Gunningsville Bridge was a huge sticking point with Sobeys in deciding to construct the new location where they are.

"Without this crossing here, Sobeys made it very clear they weren't going to invest where we are standing," he said. "We did our bit. They are now doing their bit with huge commercial involvement."

[ErickMontreal]

Challenges face Greater Moncton's booming economy

May 24, 2007 - 1:33 pm
By: Allan Dearing - News 91.9 Staff

MONCTON, NB - Greater Moncton is driving New Brunswick's economy according to a new workforce survey, but the region still faces challenges.

Enterprise Greater Moncton launched the survey last year to gather detailed knowledge about employers and their needs.

With a low unemployment rate, aging population and companies needing more skilled workers, the region faces challenges to sustain growth.

Spokesperson Patrick Goguen says Greater Moncton needs to roll out the welcome mat.

"We say we are culturally diverse and open but when we compare to other regions, honestly we don't know what multiculturalism is. When you walk down the street you can tell. When you walk down the street in Montreal it is different. So we have to adjust to the changing times, we have to be open to that."

Besides stepping up immigration, Goguen says the region needs to keep young graduates here, bring back former residents and bring in workers from other parts of Canada.

More than 700 companies representing 40 percent of Greater Moncton's workforce took part in the survey.

[ErickMontreal]

New plan for $47M Metro justice centre

Province to seek public-private partnership for downtown project; Location to be announced 'in next few weeks

Times & Transcript Staff
Published Tuesday May 29th, 2007
Appeared on page A1

Premier Shawn Graham announced here yesterday that his government will engage private developers to build a $47-million justice building for downtown Moncton and that the project could start before year's end.

Breaking the big news to the Moncton Rotary Club at its regular weekly luncheon at the Beauséjour Hotel, the premier described a more ambitious project than the $28-million facility announced by the previous government two years ago for the northeast corner of Boulevard Assomption and Westmorland Street.

No location was named yesterday but in a subsequent meeting with The Times & Transcript's editorial board the premier intimated, as he has done previously, that the original site might be off the table due to concerns over possible environmental contamination there.

Government will now study various models for a public-private partnership for the facility and choose one in about two weeks, said the premier.

A news release accompanying yesterday's announcement said details on a location "will be released in the next few weeks."

The premier said that he expects to issue a request for proposals for construction by early September, adding that ground could be broken before the end of the year.

What all that means is that government will spend the next two weeks deciding whether or not to use a site already owned by the province or to increase the options by looking at privately owned land, said Nicole Picot, the premier's communications director.

Picot added that the province wants to make the process of choosing the site "as open as possible."

That means Monctonians will likely know where the justice building is going to be located by the end of June or early July and that they will know who is going to built it by the end of September or early October.

Former Premier Bernard Lord had envisioned a building dedicated for the most part to courthouses but Graham's 133,000-square-foot facility - which presumably will require at least two stories - will include other branches of justice-related government.

In addition to 15 court rooms and their associated offices, the new justice building - there's no name for it yet although the premier seemed to like the idea of naming it for famed Moncton-born jurist and Rand Formula architect Ivan Rand - will also contain the Sheriff's Department, the Probation Office, Victim Services, Family Support Services, the Crown Prosecutor's Office and a new law library.

Moncton Mayor Lorne Mitton said yesterday he is "elated" with yesterday's announcement and he's content to let government work out the details. On the issue of location, all that really matters is that the premier has committed to seeing it built in the city's downtown area, the mayor added.

Only a couple of big names have come forward to talk either directly or indirectly about a possible new site since the government changed after last September's provincial election.

Assomption Vie CEO Denis Losier - a former cabinet minister in the 1987-97 Liberal government of Frank McKenna - has simply hinted he is open to any proposals and that his company owns plenty of land in the downtown, including a sizeable property behind Place Assomption which adjoins the Beaver Lumber Property long thought to be the main location for a convention centre complex.

Prominent local developer Dick Carpenter was interviewed by the newspaper a couple of weeks ago about a possible site right beside Codiac RCMP headquarters on the south side of Main Street. That building is owned by the city and rented to the RCMP, which has complained recently that it is running out of space in the building constructed 20 years ago for the old municipally-operated Moncton Police Force.

The mayor deflected questions about whether the city is looking at expanding the current HQ instead of building a new police station, or whether police headquarters could be joined to a new justice building.

Premier Graham meanwhile said the RCMP are part of the discussions about the justice building but he did not go into any detail.

Meanwhile, the mayor isn't the only one happy with yesterday's announcement.

"This has been a long time coming," said Marc-Antoine Chiasson, president of the Moncton Area Lawyers Association, "so we're very pleased to finally see not only a firm commitment for the project but also what appears to be a firm commitment to a time-table."

Whichever developer is chosen, Chiasson said the successful bidder will have to ensure the building addresses accessibility, parking needs, security and public safety and a number of other concerns, "but this is a great day not only for the legal community but so many other people who work with the justice system."

[ErickMontreal]

Rogers adds jobs, services
Communications Nearly 250 call centre positions, expanded Internet, television options for province

Telegraph-Journal
Published Thursday May 31st, 2007
Appeared on page A1

Rogers Communications Inc. will announce today it is creating nearly 250 new jobs at its downtown Moncton call centre, the Telegraph-Journal has learned.

The province will provide financial assistance to the company to grow the call centre. Details will be unveiled today at a press conference where Edward Rogers, the president of Rogers, Premier Shawn Graham and other dignitaries are expected to attend.

The call centre is expected to grow to more than 1,000 employees by this time next year.

This is the second major call centre funding announcement by the provincial government this year.

In January, it provided a forgivable loan to create 300 call-centre jobs in Saint-Basile. TeleTech Holdings, Inc. is slated to receive nearly $1.6 million, which will be forgiven if the company maintains 302 jobs for a period of three years.

Moncton has positioned itself as the call centre capital of New Brunswick in recent years, with major companies ranging from the Royal Bank of Canada to America Online setting up in New Brunswick's second largest city.

And according to a recent survey, the sector has the potential to grow to 9,309 jobs in 2008 from 8,171 jobs in 2006. A Enterprise Greater Moncton study, released in January, revealed call centres contributed $293 million in wages to the region in 2006 and are projected to pump $375 million by 2008. Beyond their payrolls, call centres contributed $423 million to the local economy in 2006 and could contribute as much as $541 million in 2008.

Rogers is expected to make a second announcement today, but the company revealed few details Wednesday.

"All I can say is Rogers will be expanding its services in New Brunswick," said Christiane Vaillancourt, a Rogers spokeswoman. "Yes, it will include things like television and wireless Internet."

Recently, Rogers main competition, Bell Aliant Regional Communications Income Fund went on the offensive with their president and chief executive officer Stephen Wetmore, saying "the gloves are off" in the fight to keep Atlantic customers from switching from Bell to Rogers services.

Rogers has put increased pressure on Bell Aliant since moving into the home phone market in New Brunswick last summer.

Bell Aliant had a monopoly on phone services in this province until Rogers moved in. At Bell Aliant's recent annual meeting Wetmore said the company "will continue to focus on value packs" in a bid to stave off the increasing competition from Rogers.

[ErickMontreal]

Rogers announces $109-million NB expansion

May 31, 2007 - 12:43 pm
By: Allan Dearing - News 91.9 Staff

http://www.news919.com/ROGERS.JPG

MONCTON, NB - Rogers Communications announced today it will spend $109-million in New Brunswick.

At the Rogers call centre in downtown Moncton, officials provided details of the investment, which includes the creation of 244 new jobs.

It also includes an extension of the Rogers Wireless network and an upgrade of the Cable network.

"I am pleased that we are able to partner with Rogers as it continues to expand in New Brunswick," Premier Shawn Graham says.

The premier announced his government will provide a forgivable loan of just over $1.3-million toward the expansion.

"As we move toward self-sufficiency, it is essential to improve the telecommunication infrastructure of our province and to partner with companies that want to expand and invest in New Brunswick," Graham pointed out.

Edward Rogers, the president of Rogers Cable says the investment is another sign of the companies commitment to the province.

"As a leading Canadian telecommunications company, we will continue to ensure that our customers in this province receive the most advanced products and services available,'' Rogers says. "In addition, we are very pleased that we can draw on the skills of people in Moncton to expand our Customer Care Centre."

The Rogers call centre, which opened in September of 2002, is a state-of-the-art, bilingual facility that already employs more than 800 and supports Rogers Cable, high speed Internet and Wireless customers across Canada.

The centre will be expanded by 15,000 square feet.

As well as the expansion of the downtown facility, Rogers will expand its Wireless network in the Province by over 50 per cent.

This includes increasing existing coverage in all major urban areas and connecting highways while adding coverage in several areas of New Brunswick, including Campbellton and the Acadian Peninsula.

The Campbellton region, Acadian Peninsula and the Western side of the province will also benefit from a significant cable network rebuild, which is now underway.

The investment of $109 million is in addition to the more than $140 million Rogers has already invested in New Brunswick.

[kirjtc2]

Rogers announces $109-million NB expansion

May 31, 2007 - 12:43 pm
By: Allan Dearing - News 91.9 Staff



And who owns News 91.9, folks? That's right, Rogers!

Gotta love shining examples of journalism like this...

[ErickMontreal]

And who owns News 91.9, folks? That's right, Rogers!

Gotta love shining examples of journalism like this...

Irving do this kind of business on a day to day basis

I agree with you on this fact though

[mmmatt]

yep, the media in NB is certainly not something to be proud of, however that new call center addition definitly is! :) it looks like it will improve the look of the building greatly, which I appriciate, they could have just as easile made it plain concrete like the rest of the building.

PS sorry for my hiatus... I currently dont have the internet at home (Im home from university for the summer) Im currently using a computer at work. Hope everything was peachy while I was gone! (I assume there was signifigantly less tension) lol :D

[mmmatt]

also, I hope you are enjoying your time in Moncton HalMtl666 :)

[ErickMontreal]

Of course, I really appreciate Moncton and the Maritimes as well

Thank you and welcome back !

[ErickMontreal]

Moncton will be the host of International Water Association and the Council of Federation as well.

http://www.iwabiosolidsmoncton2007.ca/imgs/header1.jpg?id=1http://www.iwabiosolidsmoncton2007.ca/imgs/header2.jpg?id=2
http://www.iwabiosolidsmoncton2007.ca/home/index.cfm?id=3

http://www.gnb.ca/cf/include/COFlevel1e.jpg
http://www.councilofthefederation.ca/index.html

[mmmatt]

cool! I knew about the IWA conference because of all the signs they have up downtown but the CotF conference sounds really cool too! good to see Moncton will continue to be the major conference champ of the area. all the more reason for us to get a new convention center to hold large events like this :P

[mmmatt]

Moncton embraces multiculturalism
June 06, 2007 - 3:32 pm
By: Allan Dearing - News 91.9 Staff

MONCTON, NB - Music, dance and food from around the world can be sampled in Greater Moncton during the Multicultural Rendezvous Festival from June 28th to July 1st.

The event is being staged by the Multicultural Association of Greater Moncton and its partners.

Coordinator Angelique Reddy says the event provides a unique opportunity for everyone in the community.

"This is actually one of the only multicultural festivals in New Brunswick and I think for the Greater Moncton area, it's really a time for everyone to get together and experience different cultures to bring everyone into one place."

Reddy says the festival provides a chance to help newcomers feel welcome in Greater Moncton and help them integrate into the community.

[ErickMontreal]

Metro construction heads for record year

Big-ticket projects lead the way as 'lots of stuff going on'

Published Monday June 18th, 2007
Appeared on page A9
The construction boom continues in Metro Moncton.

"We're swamped. We've got lots of stuff going on," said Bill Budd, executive director of the Greater Moncton Planning District Commission.

While Budd's staff may be knee-deep in development plans, that doesn't necessarily mean he can disclose the projects of private interests. Though he couldn't talk recently about any projects that don't yet have shovels in the ground, he could say the region was on track for a record construction season.

"I'm predicting a record year in overall value," Budd said. Though he added that is largely the result of rising construction costs more than greater numbers of projects, it is still bright news because it means record numbers of dollars being spent here.

The City of Moncton has been posting record construction numbers each month to date this year. A $1.8-million warehouse under construction in the Caledonia Industrial Park and a couple of high-priced demolitions -- $1.5 million for the Villa du Repos and $860,000 for the former Keddy's Motor Inn -- are just a few big ticket items from May.

In the bigger picture, the total regional permits to the end of April, the last month for which complete figures are available, shows more than $52 million worth of development happening in the area covered by the GMPDC.

The lion's share of that, almost $47 million, is commercial and residential building in Moncton, Dieppe and Riverview.

Big projects under way in Dieppe include a new RBC bank and Jean Coutu, both on Champlain Street, as well as the usual strong residential development in the province's fastest growing city.

Riverview has a new Scotiabank and new funeral home both going up in the Findlay Business Park area.

Meanwhile, though she warned the sale is not yet finalized, Riverview's director of corporate services and economic development said the old fire hall on Coverdale Road should soon have a new owner. The town issued a request for proposals for the property a couple years back, and after a couple false starts, Brenda Orchard believes the town has found a winning development.

"It'll be a nice use for downtown," Orchard promised.

Not quite a commercial development, but of public interest nonetheless, the toboggan hill the Town of Riverview is building is being shaped this summer, to offer varying slopes for people of different ages come next winter. Orchard asked for the opportunity to set the record straight because there are rumours the town had backed away from the idea. She said the hill wasn't open last winter because without the landscaping, it represented a danger to the public and an insurance liability to the municipality. It will open this winter.

In Moncton, apart from the high profile projects downtown like the Marriott Hotel and Vaughan Harvey Boulevard Sobeys, as well as the Mapleton Power Centre at the northeast corner of Mapleton and Wheeler, there are also significant multi-unit residential buildings going up In Royal Oaks and on McLaughlin Road near the Elmwood Cemetery. The McLaughlin project will be a third high-end apartment building on a site roughly across from Sunny Brae Laundry and Dry Cleaning.

As well, a new office building for War Veterans Avenue will become part of the Emmerson Technology Park across Vaughan Harvey, which has just seen its third multi-storey office building completed this spring.

[ErickMontreal]

Moncton's 1st mosque opens to Muslims, non-Muslims

Members of Moncton's multicultural community say the weekend opening of the city's first mosque will help promote ethnic understanding and acceptance among Muslims and non-Muslims.

More than $400,000 was raised to convert a former downtown Baptist church to a place of prayer for Moncton's growing Muslim community of 130 people.

Riaz Akhtar, president of the Greater Moncton Muslim Association, led both Muslims and non-Muslims on tours of the mosque Saturday, explaining the significance of what was inside and the customs associated with being in such a place.

Akhtar said the mosque serves as a focal point for Muslims now in the city, and as a selling point for those planning to move to Moncton.

"There are some professionals that have come to Moncton and they've moved on after a few years on the basis that there is no mosque over here," Akhtar. "My hope is that it will provide some incentive for people to stay."

Sarah Mahmud, who moved to Moncton from Toronto eight months ago, admitted she didn't know what to expect when she arrived in the New Brunswick city.

"When I came here, I was really surprised because [Moncton is] kind of small, but the fact that we have a mosque here is great because it shows that [Muslims] have like a standing as a community."

Alcide LeBlanc, a former director of race relations for a multicultural group in Moncton, said everyone benefits from the mosque and a Muslim community.

"It makes us better understand the world community because when we have different groups in Moncton, religious groups, linguistic groups, it creates a better understanding of the entire planet."

LeBlanc, a retired university professor, said he was impressed to see so many people from outside the Muslim community touring the building and learning about another religion and culture.

City has history of troubled race relations

LeBlanc said the mosque's opening also closes the door on a dark period in history.

In 1992, Moncton was the fourth most violent city in Canada, with regular confrontations between skinheads, and various other gangs and minority groups.

LeBlanc was invited by the city's multiculturalism association to help stop the violence, and became director of a race relations program in public schools.

LeBlanc said that when he met with groups and individually with gang members, the dialogue was amazing.

"Many of them quit the leadership of their groups and became speakers with me in the schools."

Moncton has also been plagued by language tensions among English and French communities. LeBlanc said now that the two cultures are flourishing side by side, it bodes well for multiculturalism.

"The attitude of the people of Moncton has improved, so that's a major step. Just that little element is hope for better understanding between the different groups. It's the open mind that we are creating in the Moncton area."

[ErickMontreal]

Major construction projects underway in Greater Moncton

June 19, 2007 - 1:32 pm
By: Allan Dearing - News 91.9 Staff

MONCTON, NB - Summer is almost here and that means driving is not always easy in Greater Moncton with a number of major construction projects underway.

Be prepared to slow down and take detours in the tri-communities this summer.

Moncton Traffic Coordinator Stephan Thibodeau says expect possible bottlenecks downtown with two streets closed to traffic.

Water main renewal projects have closed Foundry and Westmorland Streets to through traffic.

Work on the roadbed has begun for the Vaughan Harvey extension and Thibodeau expects the new section of road from Main Street to the Gunningsville Bridge will open to traffic in late September.

In Dieppe, Public Works Spokesperson Richard Gallant says expect slowdowns with repaving and sewer work in the Champlain-Acadie and Gauvin Road area.

And in Riverview, Ken Sharpe says both phases of the East-West Corridor from the Gunningsville Bridge to Pineglen Road and on to Findlay Boulevard should be completed and open to traffic by this fall.

[ErickMontreal]

Dp

[ErickMontreal]

Dp

[ErickMontreal]

Labour Market Review: March/April 2007

Southeast and Moncton

The labour market deteriorated in March 2007 in Southeast New Brunswick. The region lost jobs and the number of people in the labour force plummeted. The unemployment rate also dropped because the number of people looking for work went down.

Compared to March 2006, the Moncton labour market deteriorated significantly in January 2007. The city saw a significant decrease in the number of jobs. The unemployment rate and the number of people in the labour force also both fell, because the number of people actively looking for work went down.

[ErickMontreal]

Developers ready, and waiting, to submit justice centre proposals

Times & Transcript STaff
Published Wednesday June 20th, 2007
Appeared on page A2

Two of Moncton's top developers have already declared their interest in submitting proposals for a new justice building for the city but they are still waiting for word from government about when to proceed.

Denis Losier of Assomption Vie and Dick Carpenter of Heritage Developments met with The Times & Transcript's editorial board yesterday to talk about their involvement with the New Brunswick Business Council but were also asked about the city's long-awaited justice building.

Former Progressive Conservative Premier Bernard Lord announced a $28- million project for the corner of Westmorland Street and Boulevard Assomption, bordering the former Beaver Lumber Property, two years ago but that project went by the boards when the government changed last fall.

Late last month, new Liberal Premier Shawn Graham announced a larger, $47-million justice building. He didn't identify a site but did say Lord's choice might not be in the running due to environmental problems.

The premier said he would chose a model for a public-private partnership to build the project in two weeks, however.

Three weeks hence there is still no word from government on either a site or a model.

Carpenter said this spring he has lots of land all over the downtown and discussed one possible site on land he owns beside the Codiac RCMP HQ on Main Street. Losier has also said his company owns several potential sites in the downtown.

Both men said yesterday they're ready to submit proposals.

While the wait is frustrating for them, just as it is for any other developer with available land downtown, the frustration is likely also being felt by taxpayers, Losier ventured.

It has not, after all, been a two-year wait but more like seven or eight years since the municipal government first identified a justice building as a logical and much-needed component for downtown redevelopment emanating from the Beaver Lumber locus.

"That's seven years of lost property tax revenue for the city," said Losier, "so that is likely as frustrating for the city as it is for developers."

[ErickMontreal]

It's time to 'go it alone' on convention centre

With little indication federal funding forthcoming, Brian Murphy suggests city should move on project without it

Published Tuesday June 26th, 2007
Appeared on page A1
With an Ottawa culture that ignores us, it's time to go it alone on a convention centre, says Moncton-Riverview-Dieppe MP Brian Murphy.

Murphy, who is also the former mayor of Moncton, has seen the convention centre file go essentially nowhere from the vantage point of both of his political posts. With the new round of the federal government's infrastructure program set up to the tune of $30 billion, but with no information on how anyone can even apply or what the criteria for funding are, "we're a long way, I would suggest, from having an announcement about a convention facility," Murphy told a meeting of Rotarians at the Crowne Plaza Hotel yesterday.

Nevertheless, Murphy believes there is an attitude in Moncton that makes even a loss leader like a convention centre possible.

"We can do it and you can help," he told his audiemce, which also included current Moncton mayor Lorne Mitton.

Some in the audience took Murphy's remarks as a direct challenge for him to act.

The member of parliament cited several municipal projects carried out without a single dollar of federal or provincial funding while both of them served on previous city councils -- the city hall, the water treatment plant and the fourplex.

"Now Mr. Mayor, it might be time to do it again," Murphy said, adding that at least this time the province has offered $4.5 million toward a convention centre.

When Murphy's speech ended and questions were invited from the floor, the room erupted in laughter as only Mitton rose to speak.

If he was put on the spot by his former council colleague, Mitton didn't seem to mind. He said he too had grown weary of the limbo the uncertainty was causing and that he wanted an answer -- any answer -- too.

"I want it particularly -- I hope it's a yes, but if it's a no -- I want it particularly so people can stop blaming me for it," Mitton said, to more laughter from the audience.

While the tone was lighthearted and Murphy took pains to make his speech to prominent Liberals and Conservative a non-partisan one, the serious stagnation caused by federal inaction on this particular file, and central Canadian contempt for the Atlantic provinces generally, were messages a business audience like Rotary could take seriously too.

And there was apparently no convention centre answer for Mayor Mitton or anyone else from Prime Minister Stephen Harper when he visited the province yesterday. While Murphy was speaking in Moncton, Harper was meeting with Premier Shawn Graham, but a member of Graham's staff said afterward the discussion did not include that topic.

Murphy made a point of blasting Ontario's Liberal premier for remarks he made about Ontario footing the bill for federal transfer payments, repeating economist Donald Savoie's retort that the federal government spends more per capita overall on Dalton McGuinty's Ontario than anywhere else.

Murphy also spoke of the anti-Atlantic provinces culture in Ottawa that, for instance, denigrates the 20-year success story of ACOA even though, "it has been honoured by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development as one of the most effective public sector bodies of its kind anywhere in the world."

"Now Sheila Fraser is usually a name that makes everybody in Ottawa stand up straight and jolt," Murphy said of Canada's auditor general, "but she and her office have continuously concluded that ACOA produces net benefits for the region and is one of the most fiscally responsible economic development agencies in the country. You don't hear that very often," Murphy said.

[ErickMontreal]

Dp

[ErickMontreal]

Moncton waste management system called world class

International conference highlights Hub City's state-of-the-art system for recycling and composting waste

By Nick Moore
Times & Transcript Staff
Published Tuesday June 26th, 2007
Appeared on page A1

When it comes to sewage management, Moncton is a world leader.

Waste management representatives from from six continents are in Metro this week to discuss the treatment and disposal of liquid and solid waste.

The main focus of the International Wastewater Association conference deals with the development of municipal sludge, also known as biosolids materials.

Moncton, which has one of the world's most advanced sewage treatment plants, is used in this field as a model for others to follow.

Hub City is one of only a handful of urban centres with a sewage system where all sewage biosolids materials can be recycled. Biosolids is essentially waste that is treated biologically to become a usable compost.

Peter Machno is a manager with the National Biosolids Partnership, a Virginia-based alliance working to see biosolids treatment evolve further in the U.S.

Machno was a guest speaker yesterday on the first full day of the conference, in a session discussing the use of biosolids in North America, Europe, Asia and Australia.

He said conference delegates should look to Moncton as an example of a city that's on the right track when it comes to subject.

"From what I can tell, the working communities have done a fantastic job, and now Moncton's turning out a composted product for which there's more demand than supply," said Peter Machno,

Greater Moncton Sewerage Commission and conference chairman Ronald LeBlanc also said the city was at the top of the field when it came to sewage management.

"By far we are the world leader in biosolids recycling and composting to the highest degree of treatment possible," he said.

"We've always had the philosophy in Greater Moncton that we're never going to finish our treatment plants. We're always going to improve one way or another."

But he contended there was still work to do, not only internationally but in this country as well.

"The conference puts the spotlight on the fact that we do have problems," he said.

LeBlanc wants to see a strengthened relationship between Canadian municipalities, provinces, and federal governments to eventually create a partnership in the management of biosolids products all across the nation.

"Right now every municipality in Canada is on its own," he said. "There's no co-ordination between the federal government, the provincial government, and the municipalities."
_____________________________________________________________________


It's time to 'go it alone' on convention centre

With little indication federal funding forthcoming, Brian Murphy suggests city should move on project without it

By Brent Mazerolle
Times & Transcript Staff
Published Tuesday June 26th, 2007
Appeared on page A1

With an Ottawa culture that ignores us, it's time to go it alone on a convention centre, says Moncton-Riverview-Dieppe MP Brian Murphy.

Murphy, who is also the former mayor of Moncton, has seen the convention centre file go essentially nowhere from the vantage point of both of his political posts. With the new round of the federal government's infrastructure program set up to the tune of $30 billion, but with no information on how anyone can even apply or what the criteria for funding are, "we're a long way, I would suggest, from having an announcement about a convention facility," Murphy told a meeting of Rotarians at the Crowne Plaza Hotel yesterday.

Nevertheless, Murphy believes there is an attitude in Moncton that makes even a loss leader like a convention centre possible.

"We can do it and you can help," he told his audiemce, which also included current Moncton mayor Lorne Mitton.

Some in the audience took Murphy's remarks as a direct challenge for him to act.

The member of parliament cited several municipal projects carried out without a single dollar of federal or provincial funding while both of them served on previous city councils -- the city hall, the water treatment plant and the fourplex.

"Now Mr. Mayor, it might be time to do it again," Murphy said, adding that at least this time the province has offered $4.5 million toward a convention centre.

When Murphy's speech ended and questions were invited from the floor, the room erupted in laughter as only Mitton rose to speak.

If he was put on the spot by his former council colleague, Mitton didn't seem to mind. He said he too had grown weary of the limbo the uncertainty was causing and that he wanted an answer -- any answer -- too.

"I want it particularly -- I hope it's a yes, but if it's a no -- I want it particularly so people can stop blaming me for it," Mitton said, to more laughter from the audience.

While the tone was lighthearted and Murphy took pains to make his speech to prominent Liberals and Conservative a non-partisan one, the serious stagnation caused by federal inaction on this particular file, and central Canadian contempt for the Atlantic provinces generally, were messages a business audience like Rotary could take seriously too.

And there was apparently no convention centre answer for Mayor Mitton or anyone else from Prime Minister Stephen Harper when he visited the province yesterday. While Murphy was speaking in Moncton, Harper was meeting with Premier Shawn Graham, but a member of Graham's staff said afterward the discussion did not include that topic.

Murphy made a point of blasting Ontario's Liberal premier for remarks he made about Ontario footing the bill for federal transfer payments, repeating economist Donald Savoie's retort that the federal government spends more per capita overall on Dalton McGuinty's Ontario than anywhere else.

Murphy also spoke of the anti-Atlantic provinces culture in Ottawa that, for instance, denigrates the 20-year success story of ACOA even though, "it has been honoured by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development as one of the most effective public sector bodies of its kind anywhere in the world."

"Now Sheila Fraser is usually a name that makes everybody in Ottawa stand up straight and jolt," Murphy said of Canada's auditor general, "but she and her office have continuously concluded that ACOA produces net benefits for the region and is one of the most fiscally responsible economic development agencies in the country. You don't hear that very often," Murphy said.

[ErickMontreal]

Is Moncton getting a casino?

June 27, 2007 - 11:18 am
By: Broadcast News

FREDERICTON, NB - Finance Minister Victor Boudreau is denying an Opposition claim that the province is ready to expand the gambling industry.

The Tories say the plan includes the creation of a major casino in Moncton and 45 mini-casinos around the province.

The Opposition also wants to know if the policy includes removing VLT's from almost 550 bars.

Boudreau denies the allegations, accusing the Opposition of fear-mongering.

Tory David Alward told the legislature that a government source supplied the Opposition with details of the government's yet-to-be-released gaming policy.

Alward says they've been told the policy is complete and the minister is just waiting for the house to rise for the summer before making the announcement

[kwajo]

I really hope that the plan the Tories are throwing around turns out to be false. Mini-casinos? Talk about a bad idea.

As an semi-related note, I heard that Chinese investors are wanting to put a casino in Saint John, on top of Fort Howe. I don't see it happening, and it seems to conflict with the notion that Moncton would get the first Casino in the province.

[ErickMontreal]

Well, I hope both receive a casino but Moncton already done a market research report and the city has expressed its will to get a casino since a while back. I heard that convention center will be built with a Casino, a major hotel as well as a appartment complex. Moreover, the courthouse construction will start by the end of the year likely by Assumption Co. I suppose Downtown Moncton will change dramatically with all those projects

[ErickMontreal]

Retail news

Little caesars has opened his door on Champlain Blvd
Mexx/Mexx kid has opened his door last month
Buffalo Jean will open by the end of summer
Jacob connexion (2008)
The Bricks (2008)
Best Buy (New concept-2008)

[ErickMontreal]

Province to issue proposal call for Moncton courthouse (07/06/27)
NB 850

June 27, 2007

MONCTON (CNB) - The Government of New Brunswick will make a public call for proposals this summer from the private sector for the development of the new Moncton courthouse, Supply and Services Minister Roly MacIntyre announced today.

"This will be a two-stage proposal process," MacIntyre said. "The model we will be using is for a private developer to build, own and operate and then lease the facility back to the province. The facility must accommodate the government's courthouse requirements and appropriate non-government space."

MacIntyre said government will be open to proposals to build the new courthouse at the former Beaver Lumber property in downtown Moncton or at other acceptable alternative sites located within the city's downtown core.

"We are continuing to offer the former Beaver Lumber property as one solution for this project," MacIntyre said. "Interested developers will be able to submit their proposals based on the design that has been developed for the current site, or they have the option to propose moving the courthouse, and modifying the design to suit another acceptable downtown location."

The minister said the request for expressions of interest will be issued during the course of the summer. Private developers will be required to demonstrate their expertise and experience as well as capacity to develop the project. They will also be asked to identify their proposed site for the new building and complementary space.

A second-stage request for proposals will be issued in the fall to selected proponents for construction of the new courthouse at approved sites.

The new state of the art courthouse will house 15 courtrooms and court staff as well as Sheriff Services, Victim Services, Probation Services; Family Support Services including mediation, Crown prosecutors and a law library. The new justice facility is expected to be completed by 2009-2010.


I just hope they will choose another design than the current and connect it by pedway.

[mmmatt]

Yeah, me too, but I would imagine they would seeing as they are calling for new developers. What would be really cool would be to make it a public decision, have the developers produce a rendering and have a public vote on it. Might get the general public excited about downtown development and help shift to a focus on urban construction instead of the current sub-urban trend in the city. I hope its at least 5 stories, would make a good new low-medium rise addition to downtown along with the new Marriott. We just need to really get a move on with the convention center/hotel/possible casino thing. Hopefully it would be built on one of the massive parking lots downtown and they will make some more underground parking/parking structures.

[mmmatt]

by the way...Best Buy? I never heard that lol...that would be sweet though, do you think they are going to fill Future Shops void?

[ErickMontreal]

Yeah, me too, but I would imagine they would seeing as they are calling for new developers. What would be really cool would be to make it a public decision, have the developers produce a rendering and have a public vote on it. Might get the general public excited about downtown development and help shift to a focus on urban construction instead of the current sub-urban trend in the city. I hope its at least 5 stories, would make a good new low-medium rise addition to downtown along with the new Marriott. We just need to really get a move on with the convention center/hotel/possible casino thing. Hopefully it would be built on one of the massive parking lots downtown and they will make some more underground parking/parking structures.


Agree with you! Main street is quite busy, they just need new urban infractrusture to support this trend. Moncton should learn about this issue of Halifax and Saint john as well.

Moreover, Best Buy will get a new concept roughly the same size than current Future Shop stores. They plan to open new stores across the country especially for medium size cities. I heard this by the new Future Shop contractor . Maybe its just a rumor but they will open a store in Halifax, it will be logic to open more than one store east of Quebec city. The new store would be in Champlain Place in the former Future Shop.

[ErickMontreal]

Marriott Hotel ( Six stories- 137 rooms )

http://www.branchdesign.com/monctonpixels/P1100242_downtown_moncton.jpg

I will be clear, I am really disappointed by the higher of this building. This hotel is best example of the proliferation of surburban mind in this city. Is it better than nothing ? Yes it is. At this point, I am a bit hard with Moncton but they claim to be the best urban city in New-Brunswick. I just wonder why the developer uses a large footprint like this for the hotel, they could have keep a portion of land for others use such as retail space or residential or something. The worst thing is the city seem to be involved in that process. Anyway, it is always easy to be critical, sometimes I am forgetting that I am in Moncton and not in both Halifax or Montreal as well. My consolation is the fact that new Marriott in Halifax really does not seem more exitant, more higher though

Downtown Moncton - Main Street

http://www.branchdesign.com/monctonpixels/P1100244_downtown_moncton.jpg

[Haliguy]

Yes I Moncton is lacking that urban feel. I just look at that Hotel down the street near Champlain Place..it is very suburban looking. Something you would see out near an airport or something.

[ErickMontreal]

Yes I Moncton is lacking that urban feel. I just look at that Hotel down the street near Champlain Place..it is very suburban looking. Something you would see out near an airport or something.

You are right. This hotel has curiously the same footprint. Maybe there is a law that limit the higher of the new buildings but its some kind disappointing to see this kind of surburban constructions in a prime land.

[jenike]

I really hope that the plan the Tories are throwing around turns out to be false. Mini-casinos? Talk about a bad idea.

As an semi-related note, I heard that Chinese investors are wanting to put a casino in Saint John, on top of Fort Howe. I don't see it happening, and it seems to conflict with the notion that Moncton would get the first Casino in the province.

I disagree that 45 mini-casinos would be a bad idea. I assume that they would remove VLTs from bars and then centralize them. I think that is a good idea.

[Sami]

It's finally going up, due to the lack of photos (for many months now) I was starting to believe the project wasn't going up. Thank you :tup: MJC in Montréal, originally from Moncton.

[ErickMontreal]

Building boom continues in Moncton

July 11, 2007 - 10:12 am
By: Cathy LeBreton-News 91.9 Staff

MONCTON, NB-Moncton posted another record month for building permits.

Newly released statistics from the City of Moncton show 140 permits were issued in June, valued at more than 17 million dollars.

That's nearly a seven million dollar increase over last year and the highest permit value ever for the month of June.

So far, the year-to-date permit value total is more than 58 million or 44 per cent ahead of last year.

The statistics were boosted by a 5.5 million dollar permit for the foundation for the new Sobeys on West-Main.
___________________________________________________________________________

Housing market remains strong in Greater Moncton

July 11, 2007 - 9:44 am
By: Allan Dearing -News 91.9 Staff

MONCTON, NB - A Royal LePage survey says, Greater Moncton is one of the most affordable cities in the country to buy a house.

The economy in greater moncton remains strong and that has led to record growth in the region's real estate market according to Carla Bouchard, owner-broker with Royal LePage Metro in Moncton.
She notes in-migration is helping to fuel the growth along with the affordability of buying a house here.

Even with a bump in interest rates, Bouchard says it shouldn't have much of an impact on the market.

Average sale prices are also expected to rise but Bouchard adds Greater Moncton is long overdue after years of stagnant growth.

[ErickMontreal]

Groundwork laid for new police station
Policing authority begins contacts with Metro's municipalities

Times & Transcript Staff
Published Wednesday July 11th, 2007
Appeared on page A3

The groundwork is quietly being prepared for a new Metro Moncton police station.

While Moncton, Riverview and Dieppe have yet to sign any agreement on proceeding with replacing the Codiac Regional Policing Centre on Main Street, there is little doubt the 1980-vintage building is badly cramped for space, nor does it meet a modern police force's technological needs.

Codiac Regional Policing Authority chairman Kent Robinson told the group's monthly meeting yesterday that he has met with City of Moncton officials who are preparing a recommendation to city council for a new police station, and that he will meet soon with officials in Dieppe and Riverview.

Robinson said he is also checking the possibility of housing all the area's RCMP services in a new police station.

For example, a number of other RCMP services, including its federal section, is housed in even more antiquated premises, on MacBeath Avenue.

The local, provincial and federal forces work closely together very often, so it would just make sense to have them housed all under one roof, Superintendent Todd Shean agreed.

This week Shean will host a team of experts in assessing what police forces need in the way of a police station. For example, the identification section uses all kinds of chemicals in their work and so have very specific ventilation needs.

City of Moncton representative Doug Robertson noted there must also be room at a new policing centre for future growth.

There was some debate on where a new police station would be best located, with some noting that land is cheaper on the outskirts of the city and a police centre outside the city centre would enjoy plenty of parking and easy access for the public.

However, others noted police cars responding from the station should be centrally located for fast deployment, and that ideally the facility would be built next too, or even linked to via a tunnel, a new courthouse that will be built somewhere in Moncton.

There is much speculation that the project, should it go forward, might be able to avoid going through the tendering process since the RCMP already has a contract with the City of Moncton, from which it rents the current police station.

That remains to be seen, however.

[mmmatt]

There was some debate on where a new police station would be best located, with some noting that land is cheaper on the outskirts of the city and a police centre outside the city centre would enjoy plenty of parking and easy access for the public.

If I knew who was saying that I would go beat them up right now hahaha. wow. I say they should combine the two buildings and make it a nice 10 story building downtown, however that will never happen. they will probably make it two stories and a billion feet across instead :koko: oh well...better than nothing I guess

[sdm]

If I knew who was saying that I would go beat them up right now hahaha. wow. I say they should combine the two buildings and make it a nice 10 story building downtown, however that will never happen. they will probably make it two stories and a billion feet across instead :koko: oh well...better than nothing I guess

its probably more functional to build it a few stories then multiple stories. Its a police station....

[ErickMontreal]

Police board favours 'justice complex'

New home for Codiac RCMP would ideally be located adjacent or linked to new courthouse

By Rod Allen
Times & Transcript Staff
Published Thursday July 12th, 2007
Appeared on page A1

When it comes time to break ground for Moncton's new court facilities early next year, keep an open mind and think 'Justice Complex' rather than 'Justice Building,' suggests Codiac Regional Policing Authority Chairman Kent Robinson.

The big topic at CRPA's monthly meeting this week was a new home for Codiac Regional RCMP, which has outgrown the aging headquarters built just east of Moncton City Hall across Main Street for the old Moncton Police Force back in 1980.

Robinson told board members he's in the midst of discussions with Metro civic officials about a proposal for a new headquarters.

Although finances and deadlines aren't being discussed yet, members talked Tuesday about a potential location and the general consensus is that a central location makes the most sense and that, ideally, a new Codiac HQ would be built next to, or even linked to a new courthouse.

Talk about 'linkage' sounds suspiciously like a proposal for a justice building that was pitched recently by prominent Moncton developer Richard Carpenter, who controls several potential downtown sites but talked in detail about land he owns right beside the current police building.

Carpenter said the location, bordered by Bore Park and the current police station, would be suitable for a Justice Building that could be linked to a new police headquarters or even the existing one via a pedway or a tunnel.

There's no coincidence on the matter of common ground, said Robinson in an interview yesterday.

A combined police headquarters and justice building is in fact CRPA's "preferred solution," said Robinson, "although we don't control the agenda. The provincial government has to pick a site for the courthouse first -- which we hope will be done relatively quickly -- and depending on where that site is, a (combined) project like that may or may not be an option.

"For example there's no site on the Beaver Lumber property for that because there isn't enough room."

And yes, CRPA is keenly aware of the Carpenter proposal, he added. "We've discussed this with Mr. Carpenter and we think his idea has much merit."

On the other hand, if the province did settle on an East Main Street site beside the old police station, Robinson was cautious on the idea of creating a new one by merely expanding the existing headquarters to link up with a Justice Building.

"First there's the matter of what you do with your police officers when you're pulling a building down over their heads," said Robinson; new facilities would have to built first anyway and, speaking as a lawyer, he noted there are some issues with the appearance of judicial independence and the notion of police and judges being housed in one building.

An acceptable lay-out would be a 'Justice Complex," where courthouses and perhaps other government facilities would be housed in one building and where police logistics and courtroom security issues would be served by a link between a police station and a courthouse either via pedway or tunnel.

Carpenter discussed both in an interview this spring in which he described two different links to a Justice Building: a tunnel to connect the outside to underground parking and a separate pedway for the movement of police, Sheriff's Department employees and prisoners.

That type of arrangement at that particular location, said Robinson, would even carry the potential of another link between the new police station and the old one, so some of the existing police facilities could be renovated or remodeled for continued RCMP use.

As part of a Justice Complex concept that kind of linkage would be ideal."

Late last month Supply and Services Minister Roly MacIntyre launched the search for a private partner for a $47-million Justice Building to replace cramped and security-challenged courtrooms for the Provincial Court, both divisions of the Court of Queen's Bench, Youth Court, Family Court, the Law Library, the Court Clerks, the Law Records, Crown Prosecutors and Sheriff's Office, the lawyers' dressing rooms and all the other justice-related facilities that have been jammed into the second and third floors and one tiny office on the eighth floor of the Assomption Tower on Main since the flower power era.

MacIntyre is currently looking for site proposals and is not confining himself to Beaver Lumber.

So far, only Carpenter and Assomption Vie CEO Denis Losier have come right out and said they're interested in the project.

Like Carpenter, Losier controls a lot of land in downtown Moncton and says he's got several sites that would work.

MacIntyre says he will launch a formal 'request for proposals' (RFP) in the fall, have cabinet settle on a choice in the winter and put spade to soil next spring if not sooner.

"The model we will be using is for a private developer to build, own and operate and then lease the facility back to the province," MacIntyre said at a June 27 news conference here.

The project is supposed to be completed before the end of 2010.