The Official Moncton, NB Project Thread [Archive] - Page 56

mylesmalley

Aug 21, 2009, 11:02 AM

Atlantic Baptist University changes name
Last Updated: Friday, August 21, 2009 | 6:18 AM AT

CBC News
The Moncton-based Atlantic Baptist University is changing its name to Crandall University to avoid what it believes are misunderstandings about the school.

In a news release Thursday, university officials cited common misperceptions as the reason for the name change.

They don't want people to think that only Baptists can attend the school and want to dispel the notion that the university is a seminary rather than a liberal arts university.

"The name Crandall allows ABU to build on our strengths and to meet a growing regional educational need," said Ward White, the chairman of the university's board.

The name change was made in honour of Rev. Joseph Crandall, one of the university's founders.

Crandall is described by the university as the patriarch of the province's Baptist community.

"Rev. Joseph Crandall, as a pioneering Baptist, was a man of passionate faith, who helped to found a university that was open to students of every denomination. He recognized the importance of combining faith and education," said Brian MacArthur, the university's president.

----------------
A step in the right direction. But I think if they really want to dispel the perception that it's a religious institution, they're actually going to have to become a secular school. If it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, no matter what you call it, it's still a duck.

MonctonRad

Aug 21, 2009, 11:48 PM

Atlantic Baptist University changes name
Last Updated: Friday, August 21, 2009 | 6:18 AM AT

----------------
A step in the right direction. But I think if they really want to dispel the perception that it's a religious institution, they're actually going to have to become a secular school. If it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, no matter what you call it, it's still a duck.

I agree, a step in the right direction but like you, I think that this institution will still remain very much a duck.

The university will have to divest itself from governance by the Convention of Atlantic Baptist Churches and will also have to seek affiliation and funding from the Maritime Provinces Higher Education Commission. Only then will it have joined the family of publically funded secular liberal arts universities such as UNB, Mt. A. or Acadia.

Until then, Crandall University remains only a duck!!!!

MonctonRad

Aug 21, 2009, 11:52 PM

New flights boost business
Published Friday August 21st, 2009

Future expansion of Moncton flights could include Boston
BY GREG WESTON
TIMES & TRANSCRIPT STAFF

Yesterday's announcement of an extra daily, direct flight from the Greater Moncton International Airport (GMIA) to Newark shows that the Metro region continues to grow -- and also has the business community looking at what could be next for province's busiest air hub.

"This service to Newark is certainly very good for us and good for our business community," says Valerie Roy, CEO of the Greater Moncton Chamber of Commerce. "From a business perspective, definitely any additional flights that we can get to destinations in the U.S. and overseas are just going to strengthen our position as a business hub in Atlantic Canada."

Continental Airlines is adding a second daily flight from the GMIA to the Newark Liberty International Airport, located just outside New York City, that will run during the busy winter holiday period from Dec. 10 to Jan. 4. The airline has been flying out of the airport since May 2006.

Enterprise Greater Moncton worked with the airport to attract the new flights and the group's CEO says any future expansion will ultimately depend on how many people buy tickets.

"When it first came in there was some question about whether it would be profitable," John Thompson says. "It's become one of their most successful flights within North America. We've got two flights into Newark. Seeing some additional flights into that market would be good."

Major hub airports, such as Newark, open up markets to business travellers and are popular amongst tourist as well, either as final destinations or as gateways to other cities worldwide.

"We're looking at other destinations within the U.S. One of the areas we're very interested in of course is Boston. There has been some preliminary work done, but it's one the business community is extremely interested in," Thompson says, since the only way to get to the Massachusetts city currently involves flying through Montreal, Toronto or Newark.

"Boston would be another destination that they would like to see open up," Roy says. "We know that the New York and Boston markets are very strong. It's very attractive to get into those customer bases more efficiently without having to go through Toronto. Time is the biggest factor for business people today."

Spielo Manufacturing Inc., a Moncton-based producer of video lottery terminals, has its head office in Providence, R.I. and has extensive operations across New England. Robin Drummond, vice-president of sales, says having direct access to the region would greatly benefit the company.

"There are long-standing links between the Maritimes and New England," he says. "Boston is obviously the de facto hub of the New England community. There's very strong ties with other businesses between Atlantic Canada, the Moncton area and Boston, so it would be close to the top of our list."

But Thompson says challenges facing the airline industry and the current state of the economy will likely prevent a direct flight from starting up right away, but hopes to resume talks in about a year's time.

"The airlines that we've had discussions with, most of them are reducing flights," he says. "They're looking at their bottom lines these days and the airline business is a very difficult business and in this economy it's even more difficult, so I don't think we'll be seeing a direct flight into Boston in the short-term, but it's part of our long-term plan."

Johanne Gallant, the airport's director of commercial development, says opening new routes to places like Newark or Boston is always a part of the plan.

"For us, to increase frequency like this is very important," she says. "It's adding service to our customers so they have a choice and can pick and choose flights that are more convenient. It's especially good news, because we're seeing decreased capacity throughout Canada. So for us to be adding flights is really exceptional news."

Good news yes, but this is only a temporary expansion of service for a short period of time over the Christmas vacation period. I look forward to the time when there are direct flights to Boston from Moncton.

bam63

Aug 22, 2009, 10:13 PM

i give up

MonctonRad

Aug 22, 2009, 11:52 PM

:previous:

Bam, establish an account at a photo hosting site such as Flickr, upload your images to this site, then find out the URL for the photo you have just uploaded and then paste this URL into your reply here, enclosing this URL between the bbCodes of and . :D

gehrhardt

Aug 24, 2009, 11:35 AM

A1
By Mary Moszynski
Times & Transcript Staff

FREDERICTON - The idea of a metro events centre for Moncton is gaining the support of the provincial government.

Nicole Picot, director of communications for Premier Shawn Graham, said the premier is supportive of an events centre for the city.

"The premier is supportive of the concept of a metro centre for Moncton and he's very much looking forward to working with the stakeholders on this," she said.

The City of Moncton recently appointed a committee to examine a feasibility report on the construction of a sports and entertainment complex.

The committee includes city councillors and members of the private sector.

The report suggested that a 9,000-seat downtown metro centre, costing roughly $75 million, could replace the Moncton Coliseum and turn a profit.

Picot said the premier will review the findings of the committee.

"It would certainly be something that would have to be looked at," Picot said when asked if the province would financially support the project.

"Capital investments into our communities are certainly important."

Justice Minister Mike Murphy, who is also the Liberal MLA for Moncton North, has publicly supported the idea of strengthening Metro Moncton's position as an entertainment hub.

He's also stressed the need to get the project completed as quickly as possible.

"We pull these things off flawlessly as a city," Murphy recently told the Times & Transcript. "People from around the world will not be hesitating to have major global and international events here. We are the area for it; we're the hub, the draw."

It's good to hear that this project is getting support from other levels of government. I just wish they'd hurry up and get on with it already. :)

MonctonRad

Aug 24, 2009, 2:48 PM

:previous:

Not much new here, seems like the T&T just wants to keep this issue in the public eye.

I am distressed at how slow the city is in advancing the cause of a new downtown arena. With the recession (and ancillary government stimulus spending) receding, and with a probable federal election in the next 6-9 months, the time to be getting all of our arguements lined up is right now!!! Instead, the studies and committees go on and on.......

On another note, with Crosby REIT apparently trying to unload Highfield square, it would seem more and more likely that this will be the location for the new arena whenever it finally gets built.

BlackYear

Aug 24, 2009, 3:25 PM

josh_cat_eyes

Aug 24, 2009, 4:56 PM

I think Moncton should model our new arena from the Luca County Arena in Toledo. This project is schedule to finish this fall. See pics and links here.
http://www.toledowalleye.com/arena/

There's also a really nice PowerPoint available here:
http://www.lucascountyarena.com/about.asp

Agreed! Very nice arena in a downtown! I personally think that a 10,000 seat arena would be better. Its not that much bigger but it would make a huge difference. Anywhere between 9-12 thousand is the ballpark though.

MonctonRad

Aug 24, 2009, 9:26 PM

Thanks for the links Budyser, the new arena for Toledo is quite attractive. It has a lot of the features that I would like to see for a new Moncton arena.

My wish list includes:
- A definite street presence, visually pleasing and attractive.
- Large windows, providing an outside view from the interior concourse.
- A wide spacious interior concourse with room for multiple vendors.
- Places where the ice surface is visible from the concourse level.
- Both a lower and upper bowl for spectators
- Corporate boxes
- Restaurants and lounges.
- Shops and restaurants on the streetfront to help integrate the development into the surrounding neighbourhood.
- Pedways connecting the arena to an adjacent parking structure.
- Good access from the parking structure to surrounding roadways.
- Convenient adjacent transit stops with good connections.

I'm not asking too much am I? At least I can dream. :D

ccnews

Aug 25, 2009, 12:27 PM

some of us are dreaming here in Thunder Bay as well

MonctonRad

Aug 25, 2009, 11:52 PM

Since things are pretty dead around here from a new development point of view...........here are a few odds and ends.

- The mystery building on Mountain Road (with the large cinder block wall)across from the Valhalla Place strip mall now has a purpose! It will be the new home of WINExpert. Their current location is in Valhalla Place, so they won't be moving far.

- There is a second business moving into the Mount Pleasant Place strip mall across the street from the Shoppers Drug Mart at Lounsbury's. The strip is already home to Prestige Lighting. The new tenant will be a physiotherapy clinic.

- They are working on the structural steel for the fifth floor at the new courthouse. You can now get a feel for how this will impact the downtown skyline as viewed from Assomption Blvd.

MonctonRad

Aug 26, 2009, 12:27 AM

Some colour for the page:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3534/3847481162_2c88b3602f_m.jpg
The new sign at the entrance to Magnetic Hill......pretty impressive actually

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2497/3847472008_5d9e03948b_m.jpg
The new casino hotel.......coming along nicely

Both pictures by razboneke on Flickr

mylesmalley

Aug 26, 2009, 11:02 AM

Grocery chain officials to appear before planning council today to clear the way for new store
A1
BY ALAN COCHRANE
TIMES & TRANSCRIPT STAFF

A new sewer line for Riverview could be the key that opens up the town to future development like the new Sobeys store about to take shape in Findlay Park.

"Things are happening and, like a snowball, it will grow," Riverview Mayor Clarence Sweetland said yesterday as he accepted funding of $2.8 million from the federal and provincial governments.

The announcement of funding was made at the Riverview fire station, just across the street from the Findlay Park development where crews have been busy in recent weeks clearing the site for the new grocery store.

Officials with Sobeys have yet to confirm they are building on the site, but are scheduled to appear at today's meeting of the Greater Moncton Planning Commission. The agenda for today's meeting (posted on the commission's website) indicates Sobeys Land Holdings will ask for permission to build a new grocery store along Findlay Boulevard in Riverview. According to the agenda, they will also ask permission to increase the width of driveway openings on the curb leading into the parking lot.

The money announced yesterday -- $1.4 million each from Fredericton and Ottawa and an equal contribution from the town -- will be used to build a new sanitary pumping station and trunk sewer in the area of Pine Glen Road. The new sewer lines will serve the area around Gunningsville Boulevard, making it possible to open up land for new development. In the past, Riverview's efforts to bring in new business have been hampered by the simple facts that Coverdale Road is basically full and developers can't put up new buildings around Findlay Park until there was a sewer line to connect them to.

The sewer line will run in an easterly direction from Gunningsville Boulevard through the undeveloped area and connect with Hillsborough Road near John's Garden Centre. It will also connect with the existing sewer lines that go to the sewage treatment plant on Hillsborough Road.

The trunk sewer has been a topic of discussion around Riverview's town hall for several years and described as something not too sexy but crucial for new development. The sewer is a major piece of the puzzle as the town of 18,000 people tries to catch up with the flurry of business growth and development on the other side of the Petitcodiac.

Over the last 15 years, Moncton and Dieppe have seen incredible growth in both residential housing and retail business. The areas around Champlain Place and Trinity Drive have become home to many new stores, restaurants, hotels and other development. But Riverview has remained largely a residential community with its business community limited mainly to grocery stores, drug stores, hardware stores, restaurants, convenience stores and a collection of specialty shops. Residents of the town, most of whom have active families with children in school and sports, often say they are frustrated because they have to go to Moncton or Dieppe to shop for things like shoes and clothing.

Sweetland has said repeatedly that Riverview needs to attract new business to get the extra tax revenue it needs to continue providing recreational services and maintain its streets and roads.

"We do need a bigger share of the commercial tax base in Greater Moncton and we need to increase our retail presence. People often say you can't buy a pair of socks in Riverview," Sweetland said.

"Significant investments have been made in the construction of Gunningsville Boulevard with the intention of opening up new land mass for commercial and residential development. The completion of this waste water project is necessary to realize that goal and for that reason we appreciate federal and provincial participation which will enable us to do this work," he said.

A few years ago, Riverview rounded up $17 million to build the new Gunningsville Boulevard, which connects to the new Gunningsville Bridge and winds its way up the hill to Findlay Park, an open area seen as the home of future development. Coverdale Road is the main street through Riverview but there are few open spaces for development. The old fire station on Coverdale Road is now being renovated into the Chocolate River Station, a tourist information site and retail complex that will include an Olivier Soapery and a Ganong's Chocolate outlet.

Findlay Park already has a couple of strip malls with specialty retailers, a new Home Hardware store and a Tim Hortons that always seems to be busy.

This summer, a new veterinary clinic is taking shape and crews have been busy clearing land in Findlay Park for what is expected to be the new Sobeys store, which could begin a whole wave of development in the area, and along the new Gunningsville Boulevard.

"This is another step in the right direction and will help sustain the growth of the town," said Eric Pelletier, manager of investment attraction and community relations for Enterprise Greater Moncton. He said many retailers like to establish themselves around business anchors like grocery stores.

He said the business group will work with the town and residents to develop a plan for the available land. Ideas could include anything from retail outlet stores to a hotel and movie theatre.

After that, Enterprise Greater Moncton will be able to talk to interested businesses and sell them on the idea of setting up shop in Riverview.

The Town of Riverview is currently in the process of hiring a new economic development officer following the resignation of Brenda Orchard earlier this year.

The funding announced yesterday by Rob Moore and Mike Murphy was made available through the federal government's Economic Action Plan, which is putting almost $12 billion into new infrastructure over two years. The Riverview project is one of 32 across the province that will get under way quickly thanks to a federal-provincial investment of more than $48 million announced last month.
_____
Talk about burying the lead!

I'd say it was pretty poor planning on the part of the Town for not installing the trunk sewer lines when all their road building was underway. Who knows? Maybe if they'd borrowed more three years ago, the tax base might've grown enough to pay it off more quickly by now. In fact, the more I think about it, the more it baffles me. Gunningsville Blvd is essentially a road to nowhere, and no effort was made to prepare it for development?

riverviewer

Aug 26, 2009, 9:29 PM

finally an announcement...so it will definitely be the new Sobey's. The opens their old location to be filled by Canadian Tire according to old rumours.

Now about that Sewer. The new sewer goes from Gunnningsville to Hilborough road, which follows the track of the new Bridgedale Blvd. That has not yet been built, so the sewer line is happening before road development and will prepare the way.

MonctonRad

Aug 26, 2009, 10:00 PM

:previous:

An alternate rumour is that the Sobey's old location will become a Lawton's Drug Store and that Canadian Tire will build up in Findlay adjacent to the new Sobey's.

I like this rumour better. If you had both Sobey's and Canadian Tire located side by side then this would definitely give Findlay Park a critical boost that might stimulate further commercial development.

One thing I would like to see is a cinema complex returning to Riverview. The Empire 8 at Wheeler Park has been renovated with stadium seating and is quite nice. The Empire 8 at Crystal Palace however seriously needs to be redone. The auditoriums at Crystal Palace are way too small.

It would be better if Crystal Palace was redone as a 4-6 cinema complex (perhaps with an IMAX auditorium). If this were done at Crystal Palace then you could replace the lost capacity with a new Empire 4 complex at Findlay Park. :tup:

gehrhardt

Aug 27, 2009, 10:25 AM

A8
By Yvon Gauvin
Times & Transcript staff

After weeks of speculation, It's confirmed. The Sobeys grocery food giant is building a new store on a 25-acre lot in Riverview's Findlay Boulevard.

The 4,378 square metre store project is expected to cost about $10 million in total with site work estimated at up to $2 million, the building at $4.5 million and $3.5 million for equipment, David Wallace of Empire Co., said last night after the project received approval for a variance and terms and conditions from the Greater Moncton Planning District Commission.

The new, single-story building will have metal on three sides and a brick facade and will resemble the new chain's signature new look -- similar to the one located on Vaughan Harvey Boulevard.

Project completion dateline is next spring, he said. Land clearing has already begun.

The site is located east of Findlay Boulevard and south of Pinewood Road and also includes an extensive parcel of land on the other side of the vast parking lot for future development.

Wallace said the intent is to develop the land, adding Sobeys is actively looking for tenants.

The goal is to develop the entire site, which is zoned suburban commercial, he said.

He couldn't say what Sobeys is planning for the current grocery store off Coverdale Road built a few years ago -- only that it will continue operating until the new store is finished.

All other questions were referred to officials with the Sobeys corporation.

The speculation was that the new location will give consumers easy access to the store easy, with major feeder roads to a large and growing residential sector of town nearby and will likely be the catalyst for other development projects in the area.

Also appearing before the commission was Sheaco Management on behalf of Kerry Downey/Patmar Holdings Ltd. seeking terms and conditions for two 24-unit and one 20-unit residential buildings at the southeast corner of Whitepine Road and Cleveland Avenue. The location of the proposed buildings is little more than a stone's throw from the Sobeys site.

The Sobeys Store site plan did prompt commissioner Michael Sullivan to ask if some sort of median of shrubs or trees will be included in the 344-space parking lot to break up the "sea" of asphalt in front of the store.

Wallace explained that shrubs and other greenery tend to die with all of the salt on the parking lot in the winter and also require significant maintenance. The curbs around the sites also become damaged by vehicles and snowplows, he said.

Sony500

Aug 27, 2009, 2:58 PM

mylesmalley

Aug 27, 2009, 5:00 PM

It'd be nice, but I doubt a town of 18,000 could support three large grocery stores.

riverviewer

Aug 27, 2009, 10:21 PM

One Sobeys for the locals, and one for the bigbox shoppers. Same as having the Champlain Mall and Paul Street Sobeys locations next door to each other in Dieppe. It might be possible to maintain both in Riverview if more Moncton shoppers came to Riverview to avoid more high traffic areas. But then again, the Vaughn Harvey location is actually closer for half of Riverview so keeping three Sobey's makes less sense.

MonctonRad

Aug 27, 2009, 10:25 PM

Its too bad that Sobeys don't keep the other store open, and have two locations. I am sure that the both locations could do well. There is alot of residents around Coverdale Rd. that go there by walking. I am sure that the Superstore's business will improve with the Sobeys relocating up to Findlay.

I sympathize. It is especially disconcerting that the existing location on Coverdale Rd. is a really attractive store and can't be any more than 10-11 years old.

Sobey's has spent literally tens of millions of dollars on new and renovated locations in greater Moncton over the last few years. No wonder my grocery bills are so high!! (we'll ignore the fact I have three teenaged sons :D )

Current (and proposed) Sobey's Inventory in Greater Moncton:

Moncton
- Main & Vaughn Harvey (new)
- Northwest Centre (renovated)
- Harrisville Blvd. (rumoured future location)
- Elmwood Dr. (rumoured future location)

Dieppe
- Champlain Place
- Paul Street (renovated)

Riverview
- Coverdale Road (future uncertain)
- Findlay Park (announced)

Shediac
- Main Street (under construction)

It is not beyond the realm of possibility that Sobey's might keep the Coverdale location open but I rather doubt it. Until Findlay Park really takes off, Sobey's will want to drive business out to the new location and this will likely entail closing the Coverdale store. Lawtons may take over this location or perhaps Canadian Tire.

josh_cat_eyes

Aug 28, 2009, 2:18 AM

mylesmalley

Aug 28, 2009, 5:04 AM

Drove by the courthouse today. I'm blown away by how tall it looks. It's going to be a hell of a nice addition to that end of downtown.

Now if only we could do something about that giant parking lot in behind...

mylesmalley

Aug 28, 2009, 12:05 PM

ABU expansion to begin soon
Published Friday August 28th, 2009

TIMES & TRANSCRIPT STAFF

The next phase of an expansion at Atlantic Baptist University, recently renamed as Crandall University, will begin as soon as possible now that the project has been cleared by the Greater Moncton Planning District Commission.

"We've received approval for a second building on the property so we hope to start immediately on construction," University president Dr. Brian MacArthur said.

Earlier this year, the university unveiled plans for a major expansion of its campus on the Gorge Road. The first phase will be a new academic building that will provide more space for teaching theatres and labs. The second phase will be apartments for students. The third phase will be a new athletic centre.

The expansion project is expected to cost about $24 million. Earlier this year, federal Industry Minister Tony Clement was in Moncton to announce a $12 million joint investment from the federal and provincial governments. The university is raising its own money through the Future Foundations campaign.

The expansion will enable the university to grow to a point where it can accommodate about 1,200 students. Atlantic Baptist University -- which recently changed its name to Crandall University -- offers degree programs in arts, business administration, education and science.

MonctonRad

Aug 28, 2009, 1:17 PM

:previous:

Despite some mildly disparaging comments on my part regarding "Crandall University", I wish them well. The university will gradually become an increasingly important institution for the anglophone population of greater Moncton. The movement for increased inclusivity at the institution will be a painfully slow evolutionary (can you use that word at a Christian university?) process but I expect that in 20 years time, Crandall University will look relatively mainstream. :)

MonctonRad

Aug 29, 2009, 7:46 PM

If they are planning construction of the new academic building at Crandall University ASAP, I wonder what this will mean for student parking out there this fall........I'm pretty sure that the construction site will eat up at least some of the existing parking lot.

mylesmalley

Aug 29, 2009, 7:59 PM

If they work anything like UNB, parking is probably the last thing they'll think about.

MonctonRad

Aug 30, 2009, 11:52 PM

They are starting to put up the framework for the new Motel 6 next to the Amsterdam Inn and the new casino hotel.

mylesmalley

Aug 31, 2009, 1:22 PM

Shediac divided over proposed condos
Published Monday August 31st, 2009

Developer, neighbours at odds over condo, commercial project
A1
By James Foster
Times & Transcript Staff

SHEDIAC - A developer who hopes to build an eco-friendly, two-storey condo development in a Shediac residential area, and neighbouring residents who say it doesn't belong there, both hope Shediac Town Council sides with them when the project comes to a vote today.

Those opposed to the Saillofts Sustainable Coastal Living project say they don't mind duplexes or single-family homes in their midst, on Pleasant Street just up from the Shediac Marina, but that a "35-foot (10-metre) high wall of condos of over 400 feet long (122 metres,) a 20,000 square foot building with a 5,600 square foot parking lot will dwarf every other home on the street," say André Veniot and Colin Thornton, who have lobbied town council against the project.

Project proponent Brien Storey, who wants to build the condos on family-owned property, says Veniot and Thornton are exaggerating the scope and impact of the project and have whipped up dissent against it in a campaign of disinformation.

"The building, at its longest, is 170 feet (52 metres) along Pleasant Street and 105 feet (32 metres) along Robidoux Street," Storey counters.

"This 170 feet is roughly the same length as two bungalows. The originally proposed design is a standard, two-storey-high complex with a total wall height of 18 feet (5.5 metres) and not the 35 feet noted in the petition."

The petition against the project carries more than 70 names, but Storey says signatories were misled about the size and impact of his proposal and points out there is a two-storey four-plex with a high-pitched roof similar to that which he proposes, right across the street that nobody is concerned about.

"And thanks to the design and material choices, this building will go a long way to enhancing the character of the neighbourhood," Storey argues.

The Saillofts concept involves green living, with a wood exterior and super insulation designed to reduce energy consumption to the bare minimum, with green areas, composting and gardens outside the building.

That's great, say opponents, but it's just too big for the neighbourhood that is made up mostly of single-family homes.

"This is not the NIMBY (Not In My Back Yard) syndrome," Veniot says.

"We actually made suggestions as to what else he could do with that property."

Opponents suggest that Storey could build duplexes there, or as many as 10 single-family homes which they would find acceptable.

Thornton would end up living next door to Saillofts.

"It's the Godzilla of developments," Thornton says, arguing second-floor residents of the development would spell the end of the privacy he now enjoys in his backyard.

"It turns my backyard into a theatre."

Storey deleted his planned retail aspect to the development as a concession to neighbours, pending further discussions with them.

Thornton agrees the development would be good for Shediac, especially for its tax base, "but it's not all about money. If it was only about money, we could put a Hooters in there and pay for a new town swimming pool in the first year."

There are simply better locations for such a project, he argues, and better uses for that land.

Storey argues that the wave of the future is higher density, eco-sensitive housing like he's proposing, located closer to the centres of towns and cities, where people can walk or bike to shops and to work while living in better harmony with their environment. Many of the homes in the area have roof heights that are already higher than the roof of his proposal, he points out, and higher-density housing means lower taxes for everyone as it lowers the costs of providing municipal services.

He's dismayed that some neighbours are using what he calls "misinformation" to make a mountainous project out of what he sees as a mole-hill of a development.

"This could be a showcase," Storey says, adding that many people who signed the petition against the project have changed their minds after getting more information on it, and now approve of it.

Town council will have the opportunity to approve, reject or delay the project during their regularly scheduled monthly meeting tonight at 7 p.m.

In the meantime, Storey encourages citizens to examine his project online at http://saillofts.ca/ "and come to their own decision."

http://15.media.tumblr.com/XcpvXmSmJq5xqs7yFLdVvqo2o1_400.jpg

cl812

Aug 31, 2009, 2:54 PM

If they work anything like UNB, parking is probably the last thing they'll think about.

Yeah, the parking at UNB is terrible.

StormShadow

Aug 31, 2009, 4:10 PM

That's the first ever facepalm in this thread!

That is just unfortunate for the owner/developer. The people in that area must be so dead set against change and progress. I feel for him. The fact that anyone would oppose any form of sustainable development, just baffles me.

At the same time, however, he has decided to build a condominium complex among a neighborhood of small homes, cottages and shacks. When I look at the overhead on Bing, this building would be out of place. I think you would likely see the same sort opposition even in Moncton.

Critique on his development: The Saillofts are not lofts, it's kind of misleading and they're kind of ugly, IMHO. I think he should have instead went with split-level townhouses as a multi-unit development, then maybe he could have got away with it.

MonctonRad

Aug 31, 2009, 4:17 PM

re: Sailloft condominium project......

http://saillofts.ca/Gallery/Pages/Exterior_files/Media/siteplan/siteplan.jpg?disposition=download

http://saillofts.ca/Gallery/Pages/Exterior_files/Media/Entry/Entry.jpg?disposition=download

I have only one thing to say..........

NIMBY!!!!!!!!

:koko: :shrug: :koko:

StormShadow

Aug 31, 2009, 4:44 PM

I went to the sailing school in that neighborhood when I was a kid, I'd say the highest roof line of any home in that neighborhood *might* hit the 2nd floor rain gutters on that sketch. I hate it when people oppose change or progress, but I would give this one to the neighborhood.

edit: Judging by that sketch, the wall height might be 18' but to the top of that roof has got to be another ~15'. So it could be 35' in total...sneaky.

mylesmalley

Aug 31, 2009, 5:13 PM

You make some valid points, StormShadow, but I stand by my facepalm. This appears to be a high quality development which -even if it's a bit taller than most houses- would fit in well in any residential neighborhood.

As for the guy who's afraid of losing his privacy, I don't think he's got much to worry about. There's a ton of green space around the building, along with trees and hedges. Get a life.

sdm

Aug 31, 2009, 5:27 PM

mylesmalley

Aug 31, 2009, 6:17 PM

You find? I certainly wouldn't call it striking, but I don't find it all that bad looking.

JasonL-Moncton

Aug 31, 2009, 7:57 PM

Yeah, the parking at UNB is terrible.

No worse than STU...their parking got elliminated a few years ago when they built several new buildings, hell, their rugby field now houses a building.

Soooo glad that Moncton is finally on the way to having an English speaking Univeristy...seriously missed the boat by only having a French only institution.

JL

riverviewer

Sep 1, 2009, 10:47 AM

By Yvon Gauvin/Times & Transcript staff
Also appearing before the commission was Sheaco Management on behalf of Kerry Downey/Patmar Holdings Ltd. seeking terms and conditions for two 24-unit and one 20-unit residential buildings at the southeast corner of Whitepine Road and Cleveland Avenue.

Three new apartment buildings for Riverview. How big is a 24 unit building?

michael_d40

Sep 1, 2009, 1:07 PM

Three new apartment buildings for Riverview. How big is a 24 unit building?

Below is a photo of my building... Its 41 units. However the majority of them are 1000sq foot each. So I'd say for the Riverview ones half the length of my building, plus a 4th floor...

http://www.killamproperties.com/files/imagecache/building_main/building/images/DSCN0108.JPG

gehrhardt

Sep 2, 2009, 7:24 PM

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2615/3881536393_5a60fa71da.jpg

Does anyone know what the large building is that is being constructed on Frenette Ave in the Caledonia industrial park? I have highlighted the location above. It looks HUGE.

(Frenette now goes all the way to Harrisville Blvd. Damn Google Maps.) :yuck:

BlackYear

Sep 2, 2009, 7:45 PM

You should be using Bing.com maps. They are way more up to date. And don't forget to look at "Bird's Eye" feature, it's fantastic!!!

MonctonRad

Sep 2, 2009, 8:25 PM

mylesmalley

Sep 2, 2009, 8:40 PM

:previous:

Tell me about it.

I have no idea what that lot could be. There haven't been any major industrial announcements in months. Could be a warehouse or something.

mylesmalley

Sep 2, 2009, 8:49 PM

Caledonia is the least-heard-from industrial park in the city, but a quick comparison between the bing map (2 years old) and the google earth map (4 or 5) really highlights how the park really is starting to develop. The visibility that comes with building along the TCH makes it pretty clear why all the development has been along the south edge of the property, but this land is starting to be short in supply. It'll be nice to see more of the inward lots fill up to make the park seem less empty.

gehrhardt

Sep 3, 2009, 1:33 PM

I'll take another spin by the new building tonight on my way home. I'll try and get some pics.

As for the expansion in the park, I've been working there for 5 years now and the number of buildings that have sprung up is amazing. There is always construction going on.

Sony500

Sep 3, 2009, 2:51 PM

I took a drive by there last night, there is no signs indicating what is going there, but the building is huge.

MonctonRad

Sep 3, 2009, 11:15 PM

Construction Update: (northwest Moncton)

- I drove down Gorge Road this evening and they have fencing up along the north side of the main academic building at Crandall University. There are also a couple of construction trailers on site as well as excavation equipment. It looks like they are going to proceed with construction of the new academic building immediately.

As I expected, a large portion of the existing parking lot has been fenced off but they appear to be preparing a temporary parking lot just to the north, close to the ball field.

- They are widening Mountain Road just in front of the new casino (like there isn't enough roadwork going on in the city already!). The main entrance into the casino is also being readied for paving. Curbing is currently being installed. The entrance roadway will be a boulevard.

- The main floor of the new Motel 6 adjacent to the casino site is now mostly enclosed.

:tup:

MonctonRad

Sep 3, 2009, 11:39 PM

Another month of road work to go
Published Thursday September 3rd, 2009

East end of Main Street, Mapleton Road work to continue into the fall
By James Foster
Times & Transcript Staff

Back-to-school commuters will still have a few traffic snarls to contend with next week as two major road projects in Moncton won't be finished until later this month.

The biggest -- the widening of Mapleton Road -- will continue through the end of the month and possibly into early October, project engineer Marc Robichaud of the City of Moncton said yesterday.

Mapleton is being widened to four lanes (five with turning lanes) from the Plaza Boulevard area to Highway 2 (the Trans-Canada Highway) and the asphalting of the newly widened road is nearly done, with curbing and sidewalk work well under way.

Some of the work won't be finished until next year, such as the widening of the overpass over Wheeler Boulevard, which has been the plan all along.

"But from the TCH to Trinity Drive, all of that will be finished this fall."

New traffic-control lights are being installed on Mapleton Road at Lady Ada Drive and near the entrance to the Day & Ross complex as well.

"It's a big, big job but everything there is going very, very well," Robichaud said.

The problem of an unstable bank of earth that supported a sidewalk on Mapleton Road near Trinity Drive has been fixed, he added.

The provincial Department of Transportation is taking care of the project to widen the bridge. No one at the department could offer an update on that project yesterday, nor on major paving work going on along Wheeler Boulevard as well as on Highway 15 (Veterans' Highway) from the Dieppe traffic circle eastward beyond the Greater Moncton International Airport. It has created massive traffic tie-ups as the road surface is being milled for several kilometres.

Meanwhile, the complete reconstruction of east Main Street from the area of Steadman Street eastward to the Superstore shopping mall will continue for a few weeks yet.

Robichaud said crews are now filling cracks and doing a bit of milling. Next week they'll be preparing catch basins and sluice boxes for the repaving job that will begin on or about Sept. 14.

The worst of the Main Street traffic tie-ups caused by the project are over, at least until the paving starts.

Drivers have been grumbling about the work causing slow traffic along east Main Street, a project that began in May and continued all summer.

The result, though, will be a newly paved stretch of road that should please drivers when finished, Robichaud said.

mylesmalley

Sep 4, 2009, 2:28 AM

Any idea how many rooms the Motel 6 is planned to have?

mike4190

Sep 4, 2009, 2:39 AM

According to hospitality-1st this will be 75 rooms

mike4190

Sep 4, 2009, 2:41 AM

Toronto, ON – July 2009 – Realstar Hospitality announces the start of construction of its newest Motel 6 hotel in Moncton, New Brunswick. The hotel will open in spring 2010.
“We’re delighted to expand the Motel 6 family to New Brunswick,” said Irwin Prince, president and COO, Realstar Hospitality. “Motel 6 - Moncton is one of three new-construction Motel 6’s that will open by next summer. I look forward to announcing additional locations in Maritime Canada in the coming year.”

The 75-room hotel will feature Motel 6’s new Phoenix prototype rooms, an indoor pool, laundry facility for guests and truck parking.
|

MonctonRad

Sep 4, 2009, 3:17 AM

:previous:

Thanks Mike. The hotel doesn't have a huge footprint so I am guessing it will be four stories tall (roughly twenty rooms per floor x4 floors.

The Amsterdam Inn out there will be completely surrounded (by the casino complex and the Motel 6). :D

MonctonRad

Sep 4, 2009, 3:19 PM

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2615/3881536393_5a60fa71da.jpg

Does anyone know what the large building is that is being constructed on Frenette Ave in the Caledonia industrial park? I have highlighted the location above. It looks HUGE.

I drove by there today.......it is a friggin' huge building.

I noticed that the general contractor for the building was Pomerleau, so I went on the Pomerleau website to browse their current construction projects.

The website mentions one of their current Moncton projects as being a Loblaw's refrigerated distribution warehouse. I would bet that this is what the building is. :tup:

MonctonRad

Sep 5, 2009, 12:16 AM

Renovations to Levesque arena on track
Published Friday September 4th, 2009

New seats, new clock and canteen area will be ready for hockey fans this season
BY ALAN COCHRANE
TIMES & TRANSCRIPT STAFF

The venerable J. Louis Lévesque Arena at l'Université de Moncton will look like a brand new facility when hockey season begins next month.

Renovations at the 43-year-old "Eagle's Nest (le nid des Aigles)" are rapidly taking shape under a $3 million renovation project that includes new seats, a new canteen area, new dressing rooms and other improvements.

Marc Boudreau, athletic director for l'Université de Moncton, said yesterday the renovations include a new sign and marquee out front, new stucco siding and other exterior cosmetic work, along with many new features on the inside.

All the boards and glass surrounding the ice surface have been replaced and there are two new time clocks, along with a "shots on goal" scoreboard. The old seats were stripped away and new seats of gold and blue -- to represent the university's colours -- are being installed this week.

Boudreau said the new seats are wider and more comfortable than the old, but there will be fewer of them. In order to meet building codes the arena had to make space and extra stairs between the rows of seats. This means that the overall seating capacity has been reduced from 1,634 to 1,339, but Boudreau says that represents the average attendance for games. The new seats will be heated with a new system that runs on hot water, providing a cosy experience for the fans.

The university's men's team, Les Aigles Bleus, will have their first home game against St. Thomas University on Oct. 17. Boudreau said the renovations also included a new air conditioning/ventilation system, sound system, three private booths for VIP visitors, new dressing rooms and an all-new canteen area complete with a modern wavy counter where fans will be able to get their snacks and drinks. There is also a new boutique where they can purchase T-shirts and other mementoes.

Euclide Gautreau, who is now in his 28th season of providing the voice of les Aigles Bleus hockey team, says the renovations are welcomed by the players, fans and everyone else who uses the building.

Gautreau is author of La Voix des Aigles Bleus, a book outlining the history of the university's hockey teams from their roots at College Saint Joseph in 1910 to 1999. He says the arena was opened on Nov. 4, 1966 and was a great addition to the city's sports scene.

"At the time, the only other building was the Moncton stadium on St. George Street. They played for two seasons at the old stadium before they moved into the Lévesque."

The Moncton Coliseum wasn't opened until the mid-1970s so the Lévesque became a multi-use facility. It was used not only for hockey but also the circus and rock concerts with such big-name bands as Rush performing there, along with the heroes of the Atlantic Grand Prix Wrestling circuit.

Today, it is mainly used for university hockey, along with various hockey schools and other university functions, and ice is often rented out to other hockey groups when available.

The arena was named after Quebec businessman J.-Louis Lévesque, who contributed to the cost of its construction. Forty years later, Lévesque's daughter Suzanne -- who heads a foundation in her father's name -- agreed to contribute about half the cost of the $3 million upgrade project.

Boudreau said there will likely be some kind of ceremony when the renovations are complete, but plans for that are still in the works.

riverviewer

Sep 5, 2009, 3:31 PM

For those who disliked the TT's use of the term "Metro Center", they may be amused to learn that the new title is "A Multi Use Sports Entertainment Center". Bring on the Moncton Musec!

mylesmalley

Sep 5, 2009, 6:10 PM

Metro's labour force grows: StatsCan
Published Saturday September 5th, 2009

D2
By Nick Moore
Times & Transcript Staff

Metro Moncton's workforce continues to grow year-over-year, according to the latest numbers from Statistics Canada.

StatsCan's August labour force survey, released yesterday, suggests Metro's workforce grew by just over two-percentage points year-over-year, standing at 80,300 last month, compared to 78,600 in August 2008.

By StatsCan's definition, the labour force is the number of people over the age of 15 who either have a job, or are unemployed but still looking for work. Other groups of people, such as retirees, aren't included in labour force numbers.

About 30,800 people in Metro aren't considered to be in the labour-force, a total that matches the same number recorded last year.

Roughly 74,200 people were working in Metro last month (compared to 73,600 in August 2008), and 6,100 people were unemployed (compared to 5,000 people in August 2008).

Metro Moncton's unemployment rate was 7.6 per cent last month, up from 6.4 per cent in August 2008.

For all of New Brunswick, StatsCan says the labour force numbers stood at roughly 402,400 last month. That's about 300 fewer people than July of this year but 2,000 more than August 2008.

The province's unemployment rate also increased year-over-year from 8.4 per cent in August 2008 to 9.3 per cent last month. Between July and August 2009, New Brunswick's unemployment rate held steady.

Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour Minister Donald Arseneault said employment in the province saw its greatest growth within the sectors of information, culture and recreation, as well as construction and education services.

But Arseneault said other industries in the province continue to struggle.

"There's no doubt there's three-sectors that keep getting hit and they're the resource-based sectors: the mining, the fishing and the forestry sectors," he said. "That's why we have to work so much harder to diversify the economy."

Arseneault, who's also the minister responsible for the Northern New Brunswick Initiative, said it's that part of the province where some of the greatest challenges lay for the natural resources industry.

New Brunswick's unemployment rate was the lowest of all Atlantic Canadian provinces last month. When compared to Canada's ten provinces, New Brunswick ranked in the middle. Newfoundland and Labrador had the country's highest unemployment rate last month at 15.6 per cent, while Saskatchewan had the lowest at five per cent.

The national unemployment rate went up to 8.7 per cent last month, from 6.2 per cent in August 2008.

MonctonRad

Sep 6, 2009, 12:04 AM

Colour for the page - a few interesting finds from Flickr

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2612/3815543998_a63a0539f4.jpg
Boreview Park
Joel Barnum on Flickr

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3490/3796362801_beaa4997b6.jpg
AC/DC Stage at Magnetic Hill with city in background
Brian Branch on Flickr

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3563/3772961908_f18de7ce8f.jpg
Downtown at dusk
Yixler on Flickr

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2514/3772160073_afa0bd670a.jpg
flowers in Riverfront Park
Yixler on Flickr

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2486/3759046189_742d6d5c46.jpg
back of Chateau Moncton with Riverfront Boardwalk in foreground
Larchman on Flickr

mmmatt

Sep 8, 2009, 5:31 AM

^ nice...Ill add one I took today...gives a bit of perspective on the impact the new courthouse will have on the skyline

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f232/stu_pendousmat/montage/IMG_2269b.jpg

MonctonRad

Sep 8, 2009, 11:56 AM

:previous:

Good to see you back mmmatt, you've been quiet for a while. Nice pic.

The courthouse seems even taller than this when you stand next to it. It may be only six stories, but it seems more like 8-9 stories..........Those judges chambers must be going to be some opulent!! :haha:

mylesmalley

Sep 8, 2009, 12:19 PM

Isn't it only five stories?

mylesmalley

Sep 8, 2009, 12:20 PM

Regardless, you're absolutely right. I'll add that it's nice to finally see the east-end of downtown along the river filling up. They might all be four-five story buildings, but it adds a lot to the city centre.

MonctonRad

Sep 8, 2009, 1:35 PM

:previous:

Sorry Myles, you're right. The courthouse has two wings......I thought they were going to be 5 and 6 stories respectively but I guess that they are going to be 4 and 5 stories.

Regardless, it is going to be a large addition to downtown and will significantly impact the skyline, especially driving inbound on Assomption Blvd.

C_Boy

Sep 8, 2009, 11:58 PM

Headway made on Greater Moncton construction projects
September 08, 2009 - 4:39 pm
By: Cathy LeBreton - News 91.9

MONCTON, N.B. - As summer winds down, developers continue to make headway on a number of construction projects around the Moncton area.

Provincial officials say work is progressing well on the downtown justice centre, which is slated to open next fall.

Michael Novak of Sonco Gaming says the casino complex being built in the north of the city is still on track to open in the spring.

Two Riverview projects are nearing completion.

Town Manager Dave Muir says the new town hall and library should be ready to move into by the end of October or early November.

He also says renovations to the old Riverview firehall are a bit behind schedule, but they hope the first tenants can move in and set up in time for the Christmas season.

MonctonRad

Sep 9, 2009, 8:44 PM

Northwest Moncton construction update

- The casino complex is now almost fully enclosed. the more I see of the project, the more impressive I think it is.........even the fake lighthouse is beginning to grow on me! :haha:

- They are starting to work on the second floor of the new Motel 6.

- The widening of Mountain Road at the Magnetic Hill interchange is progressing at a snails pace.........but this is after all a provincial government project.

- Nothing new to report at the Crandall University construction site or at the site of the new northwest Moncton K-8 school on Ryan Road.

-The new walking trail along the power right-of-way is progressing at a blistering pace (note: a civic project, not a provincial one ;))

MonctonRad

Sep 9, 2009, 10:48 PM

YTD CMA Building Permit Values (to end of July)

Total Building Permit Value

- Halifax................$405.5M
- St. John's............$305.3M
- Moncton.............$177.6M
- Saint John...........$152.7M

Building Permit Value Per Capita

- St. John's...........$1,687.00
- Moncton.............$1,460.00
- Saint John...........$1,252.00
- Halifax................$1,087.00

St. John's is going at a blistering pace and ranks #4 in the nation amongst all CMA's in building permit value per capita. Moncton is also doing well and ranks #8. Saint John ranks #11 while Halifax is a rather mediocre #15 (amongst 29 CMA's). ;)

C_Boy

Sep 10, 2009, 2:01 AM

More improvements to Fundy National Park
September 09, 2009 - 5:13 pm
By: Jeannie MacGillivray - News 91.9

ALMA, N.B. - One of Fundy National Park's most popular attractions is now bigger and more accessible. Improvements and two new exhibits were unveiled today.

The Dicksons Falls site has been enlarged and made wheelchair accessible.

As well, there are two new outdoor exhibits at the Falls and the Shiphaven trail at Point Wolfe. Park Superintendent Paul Perkison says the new exhibits will help visitors learn more about the park's ecology and history.

"The Dicksons Falls exhibit focuses on the characteristics of the Acadian forest, and the Shiphaven exhibit focuses on the cultural history and changes in the area over the years."

The Park is also starting a geocaching activity, and using local artists to create art on the beach.

The improvements are part of an Eco-Integrity project, which launched in 2007.

C_Boy

Sep 10, 2009, 2:02 AM

:previous: sorry I meant to post it in the Rural Atlantic thread...

Dmajackson

Sep 10, 2009, 2:05 AM

gehrhardt

Sep 10, 2009, 11:38 AM

Northwest Moncton construction update

-The new walking trail along the power right-of-way is progressing at a blistering pace (note: a civic project, not a provincial one ;))

I agree with you on this for sure. In June, the gov't decided to start repaving the TCH from Shediac Rd almost to Mapleton Rd. It has taken over 2 months. They were still working on guardrails this morning.

I really enjoyed sitting in traffic for 20 mins+ one Friday afternoon because one lane was blocked off. It was blocked for the entire length of the construction zone so that two guys could sit on the bumper of their steam roller at the Mapleton end and have a smoke. They were the only two in the construction area! :hell:

In comparison, a couple of weeks ago, MRDC repaved the TCH from the Upper Mountain rd overpass to Berry Mills Rd. They started on a Monday and were finished 9 days later on Wednesday. They didn't work on Sunday either. Granted the guardrails were not replaced and there was no railway crossing, but come on DOT! :koko:

Upper Mountain Rd -> Berry Mills Rd = ~7km
Shediac Rd -> End of construction = ~8km

mylesmalley

Sep 10, 2009, 12:33 PM

gehrhardt

Sep 10, 2009, 2:19 PM

I think the difference is, between Mapleton and Shediac Road, the government did a pretty thorough rebuilding of the entire west-bound half of the highway - not just a simple resurfacing. Hell, they've even replaced two entire overpasses on the highway between Moncton and Sackville.

I understand what you're saying, but the section I'm talking about was a basic strip and pave job with guard rails. (I'm sure it's a bit more complicated than that, but basically, that's what was done). That section stayed stripped for weeks without any activity on it.

I think the real problem with the DOT is how the resources are allocated across the province. It appears to me that there are crews that strip the pavement and crews that pave. Once the stripping crew is finished, it could be weeks before a paving crew is freed up to finish the job. Meanwhile, the stripping crew is working somewhere else, and the cycle continues. With a private company like MRDC, everyone seems to be available when they're needed.

If you've ever driven on the I-95 in Maine, you'll see a vast difference in how things are done. They strip and pave within a couple of days of each other, in some cases all at the same time, like a long train.

I witnessed this in May when we went on vacation to Freeport. They were stripping a large section on Friday when we arrived and on the way home on Monday they had it all pretty much paved. Of course the crews worked until after dark and on Sunday. I guess we just don't have the cash around here to do that. :)

mylesmalley

Sep 10, 2009, 9:06 PM

Riverview poised for a boom in business?
Published Thursday September 10th, 2009

Mayor says residents shouldn't fear losing town's bedroom community feel
C2
By Eric Lewis
Times & Transcript Staff

With a new Sobeys on the horizon for Findlay Park and $2.8 million in federal and provincial funding on the way for a new trunk sewer line up off Gunningsville Boulevard, it looks like Riverview's dream of expanding its retail core and business tax base is finally coming to fruition.

"I think this will be a big start, a big boost to that whole area, and I expect more businesses to follow Sobeys in there," says Riverview Mayor Clarence Sweetland. "It's something that we're very excited about."

Sobeys confirmed recently that it would be building a new 4,378-square-metre store on a 25-acre lot in Findlay Park. The project is estimated to cost $10 million. Sobeys plans to develop the rest of its land and it is actively seeking tenants. Speculation has been rampant for months that Canadian Tire may be considering a move to the area.

If Sweetland has any news about other businesses following Sobeys' move, he's not sharing. But he's certainly hopeful.

"They're only rumours, as far as I know, but they are rumours that are very interesting rumours that we'd certainly like to see happen, not only for the convenience of Riverview residents to be able to shop in Riverview, but for the business tax assessment that it would generate as well."

On top of the Sobeys move, the new sewer lines will serve the area around Gunningsville Boulevard, making it possible to open up land for new development.

Sweetland has been saying for some time that Riverview needs to attract more business into the town to get extra tax revenue so it can continue providing recreational services and maintain streets and roads in the ever-growing residential community.

"I know 'money' is maybe a dirty word, but you have to have money if you're going to do the things you need to do in the community, and you need a business tax base to do that, so that's why we're so interested in seeing the expansion and business coming into the community," the mayor says.

Sobeys could be the "key anchor tenant" the area needs to draw in more business, says Eric Pelletier, manager of investment attraction and community relations for Enterprise Greater Moncton.

"I think in the next couple of years we'll definitely see some major growth on the retail business side in Riverview in and around Findlay Park as well as with the new retail node they're trying to create along (Gunningsville Boulevard)," he says.

He says many retailers look to build business near grocery stores, and he suspects many businesses will follow Sobeys.

Recently, Guardian Pharmacy opened in Findlay Park. Right beside the pharmacy, a new 24-hour gym, Snap Fitness, has a sign that says it will be opening soon. A vet clinic is also opening soon in the area.

But recent growth in Riverview is certainly not limited to Findlay Park.

Recently, MacWood Windows, Doors and More opened on Trites Road and Riverview Floors & More opened on Wentworth Drive. All About You Vibrations, a health and wellness facility, located at 620 Coverdale Rd., opened not too long ago as well. Another new vet clinic will open on Trites Road.

On the horizon is the town's Fundy Chocolate River Gateway tourism spot, which will feature Ganong chocolates, Rocky Mountain Maple and Olivier Soapery. The tourist destination is set to open this fall in the town's old fire hall.

Riverview's renovated town hall is expected to open in November.

The town has long face difficulty in expanding its retail base aside from restaurants, specialty shops and grocery stores.

A lack of space along Coverdale Road, the town's main artery, kept that area from growing.

In the early 1990s, a group of developers saw potential in Findlay Park and spent about $4 million to develop it with paved streets, lighting and other infrastructure in the hope of attracting development. But the development was out of the way before Gunningsville Boulevard existed and nothing happened, leaving some to call the area 'the ghost mall.'

Town council of the day agreed to put up a barricade on Whitepine Road, which forced traffic through the new undeveloped area. But people objected to the barricade and protests were waged.

The Findlay Park area remained basically undeveloped for years before the construction of a new fire hall, Downey's Home Hardware, a dental office, the Credit Union office, a Needs and Tim Horton's helped spur further growth in recent years.

The addition of Sobeys may be what the town really needs to turn the area into a retail hub.

"We've been trying to start a fire in that area for a long time, and I think we're going to see it happen right now," says Sweetland.

But he cautions that residents should not be concerned with losing Riverview's bedroom community feel that many find so attractive.

Pelletier agrees, saying Riverview likely won't lose its small-town feel. He says it should only be augmented by the increased services in the area.

He says the town's strengths lie in the fact that it has plenty of space available and only a fairly small number of retailers already in the town.

While Findlay Park is quite a way out of the business improvement area that is looked after by the Downtown Riverview Business Association, Heather Harris, manager of the DRBA, says she is thrilled by Sobeys' move and the other developments in the area.

"We're absolutely delighted that they have confirmed their plans to expand their presence," she says.

The DRBA covers all of Coverdale Road and parts of Pine Glen and Trites roads, but it has associate members throughout the town.

Harris wouldn't comment on if she knows what will happen to Sobeys current building on Coverdale Road, and calls to Sobeys offices in Stellarton, N.S. were not returned yesterday.

There has been speculation that Lawtons drug store may move into the building with doctors offices similar to the company's new location on Mountain Road, but nothing has been announced.

There have also been rumours for some time that Mark's Work Wearhouse, a clothing store owned by Canadian Tire, was considering a move to Riverview. A company spokesperson said yesterday that while the company is always looking for new locations, there are no plans to build in Riverview at this time.

MonctonRad

Sep 10, 2009, 9:39 PM

RCMP building needs fix: policing authority
Published Thursday September 10th, 2009
By Eric Lewis
Times & Transcript Staff

Codiac Regional RCMP headquarters in downtown Moncton is in dire need of some renovations, the Codiac Regional Policing Authority board heard yesterday at its regular monthly meeting in the Riverview Fire Station.

Holding cells aren't up to national codes, the records room has a severely sloped floor and is crammed full of people and documents and the building suffers from leaks.

These are long-documented problems, many of which, Michael Mann, chairman of the authority, says are unlikely to be fixed for some time.

Mann said yesterday that the authority's police building committee has been looking at the issue with representatives of the City of Moncton, the owners of the building who lease it to the RCMP, but nothing has been decided just yet in terms of fixing it.

He says it's a matter of acquiring funding to put into the building, and some of the repairs are so costly they simply aren't worth putting into a 40-year-old building.

Meanwhile, the building is "not meeting the needs of the force now," he says.

He says some of the issues are actually workplace health and safety problems that need to be dealt with swiftly.

Hampering the issue is the fact that the city recently commissioned a study to look into its policing options.

While the study is going on, it's unlikely much will be done to fix the building's problems, but Mann says some of the safety issues will need to be addressed soon.

The city's study is to be completed in February and it must let Codiac RCMP know by March whether it will act on the study's findings. Codiac's contract with the city ends in 2012.

"So regardless of what we do, we're going to be in that building for a while," Mann says.

Personal note: I have heard before that the current police HQ is diapidated and overcrowded.........here's a thought:

Presuming that the new downtown arena/entertainment centre will be built on the current Highfield Square site, this would free up space behind Assumption Place for a new police headquarters.

In particular, with the provincial jail decamping for the hinterland outside Shediac, the old jail location would be an ideal site for a new police HQ. It would be immediately adjacent to the new lawcourts and could in fact be physically connected to the lawcourts which would allow for easy transportation of prisoners in the lock-up back and forth for their court appearances.

This would in essence become the Moncton equivalent of the "North of Union" project in Saint John. I think it makes a very interesting option for downtown development.

In some ways, things would be coming full circle. The present provincial jail in fact used to be the old city police headquarters. To have the police HQ return to this location would only be appropriate.

What does everyone think?

mylesmalley

Sep 10, 2009, 9:42 PM

I say we should move it out to Shediac.

Or at least Scoudouc.

Dmajackson

Sep 10, 2009, 10:02 PM

RCMP building needs fix: policing authority

Good luck Moncton. Halifax has needed a new RCMP headquarters for years and despite having plans for one it has never been funded or built ...

Sony500

Sep 11, 2009, 3:09 PM

Personal note: I have heard before that the current police HQ is diapidated and overcrowded.........here's a thought:

Presuming that the new downtown arena/entertainment centre will be built on the current Highfield Square site, this would free up space behind Assumption Place for a new police headquarters.

In particular, with the provincial jail decamping for the hinterland outside Shediac, the old jail location would be an ideal site for a new police HQ. It would be immediately adjacent to the new lawcourts and could in fact be physically connected to the lawcourts which would allow for easy transportation of prisoners in the lock-up back and forth for their court appearances.

This would in essence become the Moncton equivalent of the "North of Union" project in Saint John. I think it makes a very interesting option for downtown development.

In some ways, things would be coming full circle. The present provincial jail in fact used to be the old city police headquarters. To have the police HQ return to this location would only be appropriate.

What does everyone think?

Its not going to happen because its a good idea

MadeWithCare

Sep 11, 2009, 3:55 PM

Does anyone know why the development of the new power center on Mapleton Road has seemed to have stalled? I haven't seen anything move there since May. Did they run out of money?

mylesmalley

Sep 11, 2009, 4:05 PM

Welcome, MadeWithCare!

That's been a topic of some debate lately. Nobody really knows for sure. There has been speculation that the terrain along the Mapleton road side was unstable (the hill needed a lot of shoring up after the road was widened). Also, there's been talk that perhaps RioCan, the developer, has been hit by the downturn and is holding off for a better time to continue.

It wouldn't surprise me at all either if a few stores had pulled out. Top of mind is Best Buy. The American electronics sector has taken quite a hit lately with the closure of Circuit City. It wouldn't surprise me if there's been an unwillingness to expand into new and untested markets by some companies. If RioCan is having difficulty filling space, they might be holding off.

MonctonRad

Sep 11, 2009, 4:23 PM

:previous:

I agree with Myles, I imagine that the main reason for the current lack of progress out there is because some prospective tenants have pulled out.

Linens 'n Things was supposed to go in there but the whole chain is now bankrupt. We knew of about 8-10 other stores going in there including Best Buy and The Brick. I'm not sure about Best Buy......apparently they are now planning to build in Fredericton (and possibly Saint John). If that's the case, I can't imagine them not still being interested in Moncton.

Welcome to the forums BTW. :)

Dmajackson

Sep 11, 2009, 8:18 PM

MonctonRad

Sep 11, 2009, 10:24 PM

:previous:

Yes, well.......part of that is the Nova Scotia syndrome where Halifax is the only shopping game in town. At least here in NB we have more than one city so retailing tends to be more spread around our province than in NS.

For example, we have a Costco in Moncton and they are building two new ones in both Freddy and SJ. This will give us a total of three Costco's. Meanwhile, there are only two Costco's in NS, both in Halifax.

BTW, weren't they planning to build a 2nd Best Buy in Halifax at Bayer's Lake to go along with the one in DC?

MonctonRad

Sep 12, 2009, 12:42 AM

There has been a "barn raising" going on at the site of the new Jehovah's Witnesses Church on War Veterans Avenue across the street from the YMCA. The place is swarming with literally hundreds of (presumably volunteer) workers. Two days ago there was no building on site. At present they are putting on the shingles and bricking up the facade..........pretty impressive!

MonctonRad

Sep 15, 2009, 12:04 AM

They are busily putting in a "traffic quieting device" on Frampton Lane, not too far up the hill from the new intersection with Mapleton Road. They are drastically narrowing a very short segment of the road by installing new curbing. It will be interesting to see how well this survives the snowplows this winter! :haha:

Seriously, I'm not surprised. There is more and more traffic using this route as an alternative to the congestion on Mountain Road. It is also very easy to speed on this section of Frampton. I've caught myself doing between 70-80 km/hr on this section without realizing it, which is not a good thing since you are entering a residential area. I'm sure the residents were complaining.

In any event, the situation would only worsen in the future when Frampton is extended eastward beyond Mapleton into the "vision lands" in the next few years.

Frampton's destiny (at least eastward from Mapleton) is to be a crosstown arterial north of Wheeler.

MonctonRad

Sep 15, 2009, 8:22 PM

New ER to open Oct. 1
Published Tuesday September 15th, 2009

The Moncton Hospital holds open house at new emergency and trauma department today from 6-8 p.m.
BY ALAN COCHRANE
TIMES & TRANSCRIPT STAFF

The new Emergency and Trauma Department at The Moncton Hospital will go into service on Oct. 1, but people of Metro Moncton can get an inside look at the modern facilities during an open house today from 6 to 8 p.m.

http://harvest.canadaeast.com/image.php?id=364310&size=500x0
GREG AGNEW/TIMES & TRANSCRIPT

An open house is being held tonight from 6 to 8 p.m. at the new Emergency and Trauma Department at The Moncton Hospital. Carol Moray, administrative director for the emergency department, says the new wing makes much better use of space and the latest in technology, along with a colour scheme of natural wood and neutral colours to create a calming atmosphere.

The entrance to the new emergency room is off MacBeath Avenue. The two new sections are part of the much larger $47-million ambulatory care unit of the hospital, which has been delayed by construction problems. The remainder of the new ambulatory care unit will include several specialty clinics which are still under construction.

The ambulatory care centre -- attached to the south side of the hospital -- was first announced by former Premier Bernard Lord in May 2005 and was scheduled for completion in fall 2007.

The main reason for the delay was problems with the flooring. The Department of Supply and Services said earlier this year that once installed and loaded with the weight of gurneys and other equipment, the flooring was left with permanent indentations. That was not acceptable so the defective flooring had to be replaced.

One of the big changes for the emergency room is a large garage bay where ambulances will be able to enter through one door and roll out through another, unloading their patients in an enclosed space. A new feature next to the ambulance bay is a shower stall where patients who have been exposed to hazardous materials or chemicals can be showered off before they are moved inside.

Patients entering the new emergency room will be greeted by a receptionist and go through the usual process with a triage nurse, and then move on to a registration desk. The waiting room is equipped with new padded chairs, telephones, TV sets and a children's play area.

After being assessed by a triage nurse, patients will be moved to the treatment areas. The emergency room is divided into non-acute (minor injuries that require treatment) and acute (more serious illnesses or injuries that require lab tests or X-Rays).

Moray says the trauma (acute care) area is separate and makes much better use of space than the previous set-up.

The trauma centre is set up with a central island or work area for medical staff, surrounded by the treatment rooms. Specialty equipment is mounted on articulating arms that hang from the ceiling, which leaves the floor area free of clutter. There is also an isolation room for patients who need to be separated from others.

An official opening ceremony will be held today at 10 a.m. with Health Minister Mary Schryer, Health Authority B president and CEO Donald J. Peters, Supply and Services Minister Edward Doherty and David Holt, chairman of the Friends of the Moncton Hospital Foundation.

The public is invited to an open house of the new Emergency and Trauma Department today from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tours of the new department will be available. Free parking will be available in the staff lot off MacBeath Avenue.

Personal note.......

Finally!!!!!!!!!!!

mylesmalley

Sep 15, 2009, 9:50 PM

Radiology making a move?

Also, any idea when we'll hear something about that nice addition to the Dumont?

MonctonRad

Sep 15, 2009, 11:19 PM

:previous:

Radiology isn't moving but we will be inheriting a portion of the old ER space and when funding becomes available, the radiology department will be up for some major interior renovations.

re: the GDH, I imagine that there will be some sitework beginning next year. It is a $78M expansion, not including that fancy new integrated medical research building (pictured below)

http://monctonguide.com/architects4.jpg

MonctonRad

Sep 15, 2009, 11:43 PM

Economic Club heading to Metro
Published Tuesday September 15th, 2009

Economic Club of Canada conference will showcase city, act as catalyst for new business: Ben Champoux
By Brent Mazerolle
Times & Transcript Staff

When leaders are looking to communicate with the Canadian people, the Economic Club of Canada is the choice forum. That's why the club has welcomed people such as Prime Minister Stephen Harper, Senator John McCain, Ukrainian president Victor Yushchenko, and California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to its podium in downtown Toronto in the past few years, not to mention practically every Canadian premier and cabinet minister.

Next month, that prized podium will hit the road, coming to Atlantic Canada for the first time so that one of the brains behind Barack Obama's epochal social media campaign for president can speak to the people of Metro Moncton.

The Economic Club's special road edition, featuring social media strategist Rahaf Harfoush, is just part of the impressive agenda as the City of Moncton hosts the 2009 Intelligent Communities Conference.

Also in the city will be Innovation America CEO Richard Bendis, who has shared his expertise in technology-based innovation with the White House, the United Nations, NATO and the European Commission. The conference, which runs Oct. 5-7, is part of Moncton further establishing itself as one of the world's Top Seven intelligent communities, the honour bestowed upon it by the international Intelligent Community Forum earlier this year.

The City of Moncton's business development specialist Ben Champoux spoke yesterday about what bringing Harfoush back to her native Canada, and drawing other prominent participants from across North America and Europe, means to the city.

"For the past 10 years, the knowledge sector has driven all the growth here," he said, explaining that a conference devoted to technology and the broadband economy would build on that success.

In fact, Champoux said it's largely because of Moncton's great showing in the ICF rankings that the city has been able to draw delegates from major companies like Hewlett-Packard and Cisco, Oracle and Motorola to the conference. That's not to mention those who are coming from Finland and Sweden (Stockholm was named the top 2009 intelligent community of the year by the ICF), or from fellow "smart cities" like Waterloo and Fredericton.

If the Top Seven honour has helped the conference, it has also helped the city in other tangible ways, Champoux said, pointing to the two IT companies that have set up shop in Moncton in recent months.

He literally pointed to one of them, in fact. PQA, has its office in the McSweeney Building at 700 Main Street, just across from city hall. Meanwhile, T4J has opened an office at 1234 Main St.

The conference is expected to draw registrants from across Atlantic Canada, as is the address by the Obama campaign's Harfoush. Champoux noted that although her speech will be the keynote for the conference, tickets will be sold separately to those who are interested but can't attend the rest of the conference.

The Syrian born, Ontario raised Harfoush is likely to draw a crowd in her own right, not just as the Don Tapscott-mentored author of Yes, We Did, about the Obama campaign, but also for the lessons she gleaned as the lead writer and researcher of the popular business tome Everything I Needed to Know About Business I Learned From A Canadian, which profiled diverse, successful Canadian innovators like Vanity Fair Editor-in-Chief Graydon Carter, Nettwerk Music's Terry McBride, Free the Children's Craig Kielburger, CanWest Global's Leonard Asper, The Simpsons' Joel Cohen and The Jim Pattison Group's namesake leader.

Getting Harfoush to speak, and indeed bringing the Economic Club of Canada to Moncton, are both coups.

"They rarely host an event outside of Toronto," Champoux said.

Another coup for the conference is the involvement of both l'Université de Moncton and Mount Allison University, whose presidents will share the duties of emceeing.

"The conference will be a showcase for Moncton, first of all, but will also play catalyst to future development," Champoux said.

* To secure a spot at the conference, or to purchase tickets to the Economic Club of Canada luncheon, go to www.imoncton.net

Personal note: It's good to see the local universities get involved in this conference as it will help their national profile.

This whole "intelligent communities thing has been good for the city's image and it does give us some bragging rites and the ability to thump our chest a bit.

The true value of this "intellgent city" designation however will be unknown until we really get something tangible out of this process. I know that a couple of small IT firms have recently moved to the city, but I'm looking for something big, kinda like the new RIM operation in Halifax.

I want a manufacturing plant or a major back office operation from IBM, DELL or Apple!! :D

C_Boy

Sep 16, 2009, 1:19 AM

New ER to open Oct. 1
Published Tuesday September 15th, 2009

The Moncton Hospital holds open house at new emergency and trauma department today from 6-8 p.m.
BY ALAN COCHRANE
TIMES & TRANSCRIPT STAFF

http://harvest.canadaeast.com/image.php?id=364310&size=500x0
GREG AGNEW/TIMES & TRANSCRIPT

Personal note.......

Finally!!!!!!!!!!!

Being in EMS myself, having to endure all the delays for ambulances to clear up and become available for emergency coverage just because they are in line waiting because there are no beds available etc. It has just been getting worst all the time. This will be really nice and will help. Efficiency !!!!

MonctonRad

Sep 16, 2009, 1:29 AM

Being in EMS myself, having to endure all the delays for ambulances to clear up and become available for emergency coverage just because they are in line waiting because there are no beds available etc. It has just been getting worst all the time. This will be really nice and will help. Efficiency !!!!

There still won't be any beds available.........there is a big sign in the doctors lounge indicating the number of patients housed in corridors and the number of patients waiting in the ER for a bed to become available for admission. Today the count was nearly 30!!!

The Moncton Hospital is rated for about 650 beds but at present not even 400 beds are open, all thanks to budgetary and staffing cuts!!

And they expect us to deal with a flu pandemic.......Hah!!!!!

mylesmalley

Sep 16, 2009, 1:34 AM

You're both filling me with confidence.

I was under the impression that the primary issue with hospital overcrowding in the city was because of a shortage of care-facility beds. Because special care homes can't handle the numbers, they offload patients on the hospital who would otherwise not need to be there.

MonctonRad

Sep 16, 2009, 1:44 AM

:previous:

That is certainly a large part of it Myles, but the government has cut hospital expenditures literally to the bone. There is no fat left.

The Moncton Hospital (in times of non crisis) probably could get by with 400 beds but if you have 50 beds perpetually filled by geriatric patients awaiting nursing home placement, what you have created is a permanent bed crisis.

Now, if you add in a pandemic or a major natural disaster and you have created a real panic situation.

The NB medical system is in a perpetual state of near collapse. It would not take too much to push it over the edge. :(

cl812

Sep 16, 2009, 12:09 PM

I counldnt see Best Buy's opening in Saint John and Fredericton and not Moncton as well. Im actually surprised that they could potentially be opening the stores in Fredericton in Saint John first (supposedly next year in Fredericton, atleast according to the Trinity Development Website)

gehrhardt

Sep 17, 2009, 11:36 AM

Published Thursday September 17th, 2009
A1
By James Foster
Times & Transcript Staff

Plans are in the works to reconfigure busy Paul Street in Dieppe.

Mall owners Cadillac Fairview confirmed yesterday that they are in negotiations with the City of Dieppe to sell the mall to the city. The task of rebuilding and realigning Paul Street could begin as early as this coming spring.

The mall's last tenant, M&M Meats, moved out recently and staff at their remaining Moncton store, on Mountain Road, are telling customers they hope to reopen their former Dieppe store as soon as they can find a suitable location.

Neither the city nor CF, one of the continent's largest commercial landlords, will discuss the progress of the negotiations, with Dieppe simply stating that land acquisition for the Paul Street project is continuing.

Dieppe announced the project a year ago, with cost estimates at that time topping $10 million.

It is widely expected that the original plan for the redevelopment of Paul Street will change somewhat from what was announced last year, but it remains to be seen to what degree.

The initial plan for the redevelopment predicted phase one would take three years and $6 million, with about $1 million being spent now on planning, surveying and drawings.

Work next year is expected to begin near Highway 15 (Veterans' Highway) and proceed southerly to Sunset Street. Phase two will extend from there to Champlain Street. Phase three will involve the area around the intersection of Champlain and Paul streets.

Much of this, however, is subject to the city obtaining the land necessary to accommodate the project, which could affect the costs, the layout of the street and the timetable.

About 12 million people visit the bustling commercial area every year. When the street is rebuilt, they can expect new intersections, new entrances and exits from retailers and services located along Paul Street, a median down the middle and an additional, fifth lane from the four-lane highway between Moncton and Shediac leading into Champlain Place and Crystal Palace, as well as new walking and cycling trails.

There remains one last occupied property on the east side of that section of Paul Street, an Ultramar gas bar and store. Dieppe's land-acquisition program to accommodate a new Paul Street doesn't, however, seem to include that parcel of land.

"None of us has been contacted by the municipality," Ultramar spokesman Michel Martin says.

"We have no plans for that station, other than to continue operating it as it is."

There has been talk in the past of reconfiguring Veterans' Highway so that westbound traffic cannot get on to Paul Street at the off ramp, unless they are turning right, into Moncton. That's because left-turning traffic at the hectic spot has ended up involved in car crashes on a regular basis.

That decision rests with the province, however which, at one point, toyed with the idea of forcing westbound cars to drive completely around the traffic circle and then turn right onto Paul Street towards Champlain Place, eliminating the problem of left-turning traffic trying to get safely across multiple lanes of oncoming traffic that is proceeding north on Paul Street towards Moncton.

Alternatively, cars could drive around the traffic circle and exit onto Main Street at the traffic lights at Hall's Creek.

That idea has been quietly dropped, at least for the time being.

Huh, we've debated the whole Paul street turning traffic issue here quite a lot. It's good to see the city and province are at least aware of the issue and have come to some of the same conclusions we all did here. :tup:

mylesmalley

Sep 17, 2009, 12:09 PM

Re-aligning Paul St is a good idea, IMO. I definitely think they shouldn't be so quick to discount the idea of fixing the ramps off the highway though. They're a pretty serious bottleneck at times. I've seen the line of cars extend all the way up into the traffic circle before!

If the city and province were really serious about improving traffic flow throughout central Dieppe, they'd consider building an entirely new interchange further up the highway towards the community college. As it stands, while there are plenty of lanes of traffic moving from Moncton to Dieppe, they all essentially dump people in the same spot. By allowing people living deeper in the city to stay on the highway a while longer, the huge amount of traffic can be spread out.

josh_cat_eyes

Sep 17, 2009, 4:57 PM

I have a proposal here for a Northern Paul Street/Overpass Realignment:
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c337/josh_cat_eyes/NorthernPaulStOverpassReallinment.png
There would be traffic lights at both intersections I have created if there is not already.

Also, I heard I rumor this past weekend of at least 2 restaurants, a Sam's Club, a Major Electronics Retailer and a Lowe's moving into the Mapleton Power Center. Anyone know anything about these?

MonctonRad

Sep 17, 2009, 5:18 PM

I'll let Myles comment on your proposed reallignment as he is our resident traffic engineer. :haha:

Regarding the Mapleton rumour..........the major electronics retailer could be Best Buy since they were supposed to be moving in there anyway. Lowe's might be possible but the schematics I have seen of the development did not have room for anything near as big as this retailer would be. Also, it would be competing directly with Kent and Home Depot right next door. As far as Sam's Club is concerned, I thought that they had abandoned the Canadian market. As for the restaurants, the existing site schematic included room for several to be built. One of these was supposed to be a Swiss Chalet.

How reliable was your source?

mylesmalley

Sep 17, 2009, 6:04 PM

:previous:

I'm all for that type of realignment. I'm a big fan of interchanges ending at controlled intersections that turn into streets. The cost of completely replacing the overpasses would probably be the biggest sticking point with the city/province. My only concern would be the onramp off Lewisville Road. It would be pretty tough to merge into the centre of the traffic circle with so little room. Unless of course the plan would be for that to become a new lane altogether if they ever widened Wheeler Blvd. It might not be necessary for people to have access from Shediac Road to get to Main St via the circle since they can get there through both Paul and Botsford Streets.

As much as I love them, I'm afraid the traffic circle will need replacing sooner or later. Traffic volumes, plus being a major truck route and the limited space for expansion are going to become bigger issues as time goes by. Let's face it. Dieppe isnt' getting any smaller, and the East End around Shediac Road are exploding with residential and retail construction. Having a signalled intersection, followed by a 2km 60kph zone, with an enormous traffic circle right in the centre of the city is going to become a pretty significant bottleneck.

But don't take my word for it. I'm really not a traffic engineer :D. I just play one on TV.