The Official Moncton, NB Project Thread

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by mylesmalley

I really like the look of that new 3 story office on Mapleton. With the exception of the Costco, there's some pretty trendy architecture on that road.

I agree, The Hampton Inn, Future Inn, McManaman Complex and the proposed DanMar Dental Complex are all architecturally interesting buildings. Mapleton Road (except for the moribund Mapleton Power Centre) is starting to show some promise and, now that the roadwork is nearly done, I have great hopes for the 2011 building season.

The Malley Industries building really changes the appearances of the TCH/Rt 15 interchange Myles. When do you move in?

I wonder how long it will be before there is (more or less) continuous development along the whole length of the TCH from the 15 interchange to Mountain Road. There will be big changes in the next 12-15 years I wager.

[mylesmalley]

We're planning on moving in stages, starting at the end of October/early November. It's difficult because you can't easily move work in progress, nor can you shut down for a while to move all at once. At any rate, it's an exciting time!

[benvui]

Looks like there is some Miller paving equipment at the Scoudouc interchange. Also noticed the curb machine on Paul St. this morning. Looks like things are nearing the paving stages.

[JasonL-Moncton]

Man Myles that building is massive...wow.

Jason

[StormShadow]

Hello All

Anyone been following the Quebec City Arena debate? Unfortunate timing for Moncton, actually, as it is starting a debate across the country over federally funded arenas.

An opinion piece in the Toronto Star this am, whines about every other mid-sized city asking the feds for arena money. I'm sure there are more like this one being written across Canada, especially in Alberta.
http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/artic...on-on-funding-for-quebec-city-arena?bn=1

From Moncton's standpoint, they asked first, right?
.....or, did they?

I do not recall Mr. Harper signing off on the downtown arena project and until the cheque is in Moncton's hand, it's not paid for.

The City should have had this funding lined up and done by now, and what would not have been an issue, 3, 6, 12, and 24 months ago now will be. Depending on the tide of public opinion, the federal money needed for the downtown arena project could be in jeopardy.

[MonctonRad]

Yes, I'm aware of the Quebec arena funding situation. While I agree that this could be a flashpoint for taxpayer discontent if every two bit city starts looking for arena and stadium funding, Harper's apparent flexibility on this issue could still be a good thing for Moncton.

We were late going to the feds for infrastructure funding for a new arena. We have no firm committments from them (as far as I know). If Harper bends for Quebec City, this might increase our probability of securing federal funding as well...........

Of course, I could be wrong.

[Taeolas]

Having Moncton go for arena funding too may be seen as a way to deflect the view that the Feds are "catering to Quebec" too, so being able to use it for more Political Good Will may help Moncton get the new arena funding too.

[ithree]

Looks like they're building another plaza on Mountain Road. There's a sign in front of the PC repair shop on the corner of Hildegarde and Mountain advertising 4 or 5 commercial spaces for lease. The project is called Hildegarde Plaza.

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by ithree

Looks like they're building another plaza on Mountain Road. There's a sign in front of the PC repair shop on the corner of Hildegarde and Mountain advertising 4 or 5 commercial spaces for lease. The project is called Hildegarde Plaza.

That property is not very deep...........there won't be very much room for parking.

Is it just me or is anyone else getting tired of the profusion of strip malls and fast food outlets along the full length of Mountain Road.

Granted, the newer strip malls and restaurants are more upscale in appearance but it would still be nice if there was some variety in the streetscape.........perhaps some more apartment buildings with first level retail (like BelMar Plaza for instance).

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by ithree

Looks like they're building another plaza on Mountain Road. There's a sign in front of the PC repair shop on the corner of Hildegarde and Mountain advertising 4 or 5 commercial spaces for lease. The project is called Hildegarde Plaza.

I had a good close look at that sign as I drove past this morning. Looking at the picture on the sign, the only way this development would work would be if the residential properties behind (on LaForge St.) are included in the project.

I wonder if these residential houses have been purchased?

[David_99]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

perhaps some more apartment buildings with first level retail (like BelMar Plaza for instance).

We need more of this type of thing on Main and St George first!

[mylesmalley]

We need more of those, period.

[C_Boy]

I can't wait to see things moving on Valmond Robichaud's projects. Those should be very significant! I'm pretty sure that should get the ball rolling on that kind of development, specially if things can move along with the downtown arena!

[MonctonRad]

Fresh hope for metro centre funds
Published Saturday September 11th, 2010

Moncton could benefit from promise of federal sports stadium funding: mayor
by alan cochrane
Times & transcript staff

This week's promise by Prime Minister Stephen Harper to consider funding for sports arenas across the country is good news for Moncton and couldn't come at a better time as the city is moving toward a business plan for its own downtown multi-use facility, Mayor George LeBlanc said yesterday.

"It's welcome news for Moncton because it shows a willingness on the part of the federal government to fund these projects. We are actively working on our plan for a new multi-use facility for Downtown Moncton and this encourages us to keep moving the ball forward," LeBlanc said.

Harper said Thursday that if the federal government sends money to Quebec City for a new stadium, it would likely do the same for others. Speaking to reporters in Saskatoon Thursday, Harper said the government would not directly finance professional sports franchises, but arenas and stadiums were another matter.

"In terms of financing major sports facilities, there are demands here, there are demands in Quebec City, I am aware of demands elsewhere," Harper told reporters Thursday in Saskatoon.

Regina is seeking federal cash for a new multipurpose stadium that will house the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the CFL. Quebec City is also looking for about $170 million from Ottawa to help build a $400-million arena for an NHL team. Edmonton is also looking to build a new $400-million stadium, while Calgary is also thinking about a new arena.

Moncton is now actively working on a proposal to build an estimated $80-million 9,000-seat downtown multi-use events centre which could be used to host major sports and entertainment events. The next step in the process will be for city council to approve the business plan. Several possible locations in the downtown have been identified as the site of the new complex.

The Downtown Centre Task Force has said federal and provincial funding would be required for the project with the province and federal government each contributing $25.2 million, while the City of Moncton would also match that $25.2, as well as pay about $4 million for land.

With a provincial election under way, Premier Shawn Graham has said he wants to make Moncton the entertainment capital of Atlantic Canada. Progressive Conservative Leader David Alward said he likes the idea as well and a government under his party would seriously consider the idea of funding the project.

[MonctonRad]

Moncton unemployment rate is lowest: StatsCan
Published Saturday September 11th, 2010

Jobless rate climbs in province, but Moncton able to avoid the trend
Times & Transcript Staff

Unemployment rose in New Brunswick last month to 9.6 per cent from nine percent in July, even though about 1,800 more New Brunswickers were working, according to figures released yesterday by Statistics Canada.

Moncton bucked that trend, with unemployment falling despite an influx of new residents, the statistics show.

New Brunswick's employment level stood at 364,800 in August, up 1,800 more than the previous month but 1,400 less than at the same time last year, the provincial government pointed out.

The figures show that New Brunswick's labour force, which measures those working or actively seeking work, stood at 403,400 in August, which was 4,600 more than in July and 600 more than at the same time last year.

In the Metro Moncton region, which StatsCan defines as the area between Moncton and Richibucto, the population grew to 170,000 from 168,000, which meant 1,000 more working-age people to fill existing jobs, yet unemployment fell to 6.9 per cent from 8.5 per cent on an annual basis, from August 2009 to last month.

That's the lowest unemployment rate in the province, comparing well to Fredericton's seven per cent and Saint John's 8.5 per cent.

As well in Moncton, the employment rate, which is the ratio of workers who are actively looking for work and who are employed, rose to 64.8 per cent from 64.3 per cent, topped only by Fredericton's rate of 64.9 per cent.

These most recent figures come on the heals of a report earlier this week by Manpower Canada which stated that 40 per cent of Metro Moncton employers planned to increase their payrolls between now and the end of the year, the highest rate in the nation.

Provincially, the seasonally adjusted monthly unemployment rate stood at 9.6 per cent in August, up by 0.6 of a percentage point over last month and 0.5 of a percentage point higher compared to the same period last year.

Employment growth in August was strongest in the categories of other services, construction and trade

[MonctonRad]

Moncton airport offers new sun flight
Published Saturday September 11th, 2010

NBers can fly directly to Montego Bay, Jamaica this winter

Direct flights to Montego Bay, Jamaica will be offered to New Brunswick vacationers this winter for the first time ever, via the Greater Moncton International Airport.

Montego Bay is the latest destination offered by Sunwing Airlines' winter seasonal charter program.

Sunwing will operate weekly non-stop Boeing 737-800 service from Moncton to Montego Bay each Sunday from Feb. 27 to May 1.

Rob Robichaud, managing director, president and CEO of the Greater Moncton International Airport Authority, was delighted by the news.

"The Greater Moncton International Airport Authority board of directors and management are pleased to welcome our newest destination offered by our partner Sunwing Airlines with this new seasonal non-stop service," he said.

"We are very optimistic that this new service will be successful and are delighted to make this option available to travellers from our region using our facility."

Sunwing Airlines Inc. is headquartered in Toronto. It is a subsidiary of Sunwing Travel Group and is a sister company to Sunwing Vacations/Vacances Sunwing.

The winter charter season is a key part of the airport's growth.

Earlier this month, the airport reported an overall nine per cent year-to-date jump in passenger traffic during the first half of 2010. On the cargo side, volumes have been steadily increasing with numbers around 10 per cent in the past months and with a year-to-date total increase of close to six per cent.

Another key to the growth, airport officials say, is the continued success of airlines using the airport, including their newest, Porter Airlines, with their service to Ottawa continuing onto Toronto City Centre that started late June.

In addition, a greater number of people than usual came through the airport during the IAAF World Junior Track and Field Championships.

[michael_d40]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

Moncton airport offers new sun flight
Published Saturday September 11th, 2010

NBers can fly directly to Montego Bay, Jamaica this winter

Direct flights to Montego Bay, Jamaica will be offered to New Brunswick vacationers this winter for the first time ever, via the Greater Moncton International Airport.

Montego Bay is the latest destination offered by Sunwing Airlines' winter seasonal charter program.

Sunwing will operate weekly non-stop Boeing 737-800 service from Moncton to Montego Bay each Sunday from Feb. 27 to May 1.

Rob Robichaud, managing director, president and CEO of the Greater Moncton International Airport Authority, was delighted by the news.

"The Greater Moncton International Airport Authority board of directors and management are pleased to welcome our newest destination offered by our partner Sunwing Airlines with this new seasonal non-stop service," he said.

"We are very optimistic that this new service will be successful and are delighted to make this option available to travellers from our region using our facility."

Sunwing Airlines Inc. is headquartered in Toronto. It is a subsidiary of Sunwing Travel Group and is a sister company to Sunwing Vacations/Vacances Sunwing.

The winter charter season is a key part of the airport's growth.

Earlier this month, the airport reported an overall nine per cent year-to-date jump in passenger traffic during the first half of 2010. On the cargo side, volumes have been steadily increasing with numbers around 10 per cent in the past months and with a year-to-date total increase of close to six per cent.

Another key to the growth, airport officials say, is the continued success of airlines using the airport, including their newest, Porter Airlines, with their service to Ottawa continuing onto Toronto City Centre that started late June.

In addition, a greater number of people than usual came through the airport during the IAAF World Junior Track and Field Championships.

Sunwing is an airline that seems to know what they are doing in the Moncton/Saint John Market.

They go to Dominican and Jamaica from Moncton and Mexico and Cuba from Saint John. I think thats terrific. If we want to go to those 2 places we can go there and if you want to go to the other two you can come here. It's a win/win and not competing which each other. Annd able to use larger planes.
If only Air Canada would get the hint eh?

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by michael_d40

Sunwing is an airline that seems to know what they are doing in the Moncton/Saint John Market.

They go to Dominican and Jamaica from Moncton and Mexico and Cuba from Saint John. I think thats terrific. If we want to go to those 2 places we can go there and if you want to go to the other two you can come here. It's a win/win and not competing which each other. Annd able to use larger planes.
If only Air Canada would get the hint eh?

There is some merit to this point of view, especially for the charter flight market. If each NB airport specialized in different vacation destinations, it might mean better selection and variety for all.

[mmmatt]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

On the cargo side, volumes have been steadily increasing with numbers around 10 per cent in the past months and with a year-to-date total increase of close to six per cent.

On that note you may notice your friendly neighborhood FedEx jet looking a little larger within the next month or so

[joeyedm]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

Fresh hope for metro centre funds
Published Saturday September 11th, 2010

Moncton could benefit from promise of federal sports stadium funding: mayor
by alan cochrane
Times & transcript staff

This week's promise by Prime Minister Stephen Harper to consider funding for sports arenas across the country is good news for Moncton and couldn't come at a better time as the city is moving toward a business plan for its own downtown multi-use facility, Mayor George LeBlanc said yesterday.

"It's welcome news for Moncton because it shows a willingness on the part of the federal government to fund these projects. We are actively working on our plan for a new multi-use facility for Downtown Moncton and this encourages us to keep moving the ball forward," LeBlanc said.

Harper said Thursday that if the federal government sends money to Quebec City for a new stadium, it would likely do the same for others. Speaking to reporters in Saskatoon Thursday, Harper said the government would not directly finance professional sports franchises, but arenas and stadiums were another matter.

"In terms of financing major sports facilities, there are demands here, there are demands in Quebec City, I am aware of demands elsewhere," Harper told reporters Thursday in Saskatoon.

Regina is seeking federal cash for a new multipurpose stadium that will house the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the CFL. Quebec City is also looking for about $170 million from Ottawa to help build a $400-million arena for an NHL team. Edmonton is also looking to build a new $400-million stadium, while Calgary is also thinking about a new arena.

Moncton is now actively working on a proposal to build an estimated $80-million 9,000-seat downtown multi-use events centre which could be used to host major sports and entertainment events. The next step in the process will be for city council to approve the business plan. Several possible locations in the downtown have been identified as the site of the new complex.

The Downtown Centre Task Force has said federal and provincial funding would be required for the project with the province and federal government each contributing $25.2 million, while the City of Moncton would also match that $25.2, as well as pay about $4 million for land.

With a provincial election under way, Premier Shawn Graham has said he wants to make Moncton the entertainment capital of Atlantic Canada. Progressive Conservative Leader David Alward said he likes the idea as well and a government under his party would seriously consider the idea of funding the project.

the federal government should NOT be funding any sports arena anywhere. These things are a local matter and should only be funded by the municipal and provincial level.