The Official Moncton, NB Project Thread - Page 461

Sunnybrae · #**9201** Posted **Oct 1, 2011, 3:10 PM**

I hope Riverview can get some retail, we need it and I think the population can support it.

Also, a foundation has been put down on Whitepine in Riverview where the new apartment buildings were built in Findley park. That will bring that apartment complex to three buildings total.

I have also noticed that marsh grass is starting to take hold on the mud flats where the lake use to be by the causeway.

MonctonRad · #**9202** Posted **Oct 1, 2011, 3:49 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sunnybrae

I have also noticed that marsh grass is starting to take hold on the mud flats where the lake use to be by the causeway.

This will be the ultimate fate of the headpond (beyond the main river channel). The main channel can be maximized if the partial bridge replacement gets built, but only if this happens expeditiously. If they wait any longer than five years, I fear it will be too late and we will have a permanently narrowed river.

Personally, I don't necessarily see that much wrong with the majority of the headpond reverting to marshland - it makes a great wildlife habitat, I just think everyone should be clear on what is going to happen.....

If people want the widest river channel possible, they should start lobbying the government now. Otherwise, given the state of the province's finances, procrastination and delay will rule the day and the inevitable will occur.

josh_cat_eyes · #**9203** Posted **Oct 3, 2011, 12:35 PM**

McDonalds makes sense for the food service tenant. I can see another Tim's in Riverview because the amount of Tim's in greater Moncton. Could the Sobeys be a Co-op Atlantic or Kent building supplies?

MonctonRad · #**9204** Posted **Oct 3, 2011, 12:48 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by josh_cat_eyes

McDonalds makes sense for the food service tenant. I can see another Tim's in Riverview because the amount of Tim's in greater Moncton. Could the Sobeys be a Co-op Atlantic or Kent building supplies?

1- There already is a Timmies in Findlay Park.

2- Co-op might be possible, but would Sobeys actually sell the property to a direct competitor? There are already two Kent outlets in Greater Moncton. Another home improvement superstore like Rona or perhaps a Home Hardware would be a thought.

Sony500 · #**9205** Posted **Oct 4, 2011, 10:33 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

1- There already is a Timmies in Findlay Park.

2- Co-op might be possible, but would Sobeys actually sell the property to a direct competitor? There are already two Kent outlets in Greater Moncton. Another home improvement superstore like Rona or perhaps a Home Hardware would be a thought.

There is already a Home Hardware in Findlay Park as well.

MonctonRad · #**9206** Posted **Oct 4, 2011, 11:25 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sony500

There is already a Home Hardware in Findlay Park as well.

Ah yes, you're right, I forgot about that one.

BTW, what does everyone think about Coun. Bourgeois' new name for the denizens of Dieppe - the Diepnamese

josh_cat_eyes · #**9207** Posted **Oct 4, 2011, 3:55 PM**

For some reason I can't see already having a homeware making a big difference to Kent (Irving) and what about a tims down near the petro-can in eastern riverview? Maybe near the future end of Bridgedale blvd.

mylesmalley · #**9208** Posted **Oct 4, 2011, 4:57 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

Ah yes, you're right, I forgot about that one.

BTW, what does everyone think about Coun. Bourgeois' new name for the denizens of Dieppe - the Diepnamese

New name? Really? I've heard that for so long I thought it was the actual term.
Dippers doesn't seem to have nearly the same gravitas, does it?

mmmatt · #**9209** Posted **Oct 4, 2011, 9:49 PM**

Ottawa provides $1M for Transport Centre
Published Tuesday October 4th, 2011
Development proceeds on proposed $9.3M project
By Craig Babstock
Times & Transcript Staff

source: architecture 2000

For Robert Goguen, a celebration of this community's transportation heritage makes perfect sense.

"Who in Moncton doesn't have a relative who worked in the rail industry?" the Moncton-Riverview-Dieppe MP asked yesterday afternoon. "Transportation is in our DNA."

Goguen was speaking moments after a news conference in which he announced $1 million in federal funding for the Transportation Discovery Centre, which will be built onto the Moncton Museum, doubling the size of the facility from 4,500 square feet to between 9,000 and 10,000 square feet. The federal government previously contributed $500,000 to the planning of the project, which has been in the works for more than a decade, bringing its total involvement to $1.5 million.

Goguen made the announcement on behalf of Canadian Heritage Minister James Moore.

"Heritage Canada is about celebrating successes and culture," said Goguen.

The new centre will invite visitors to explore the past, present, and future of maritime, rail, road, and air transportation in the Moncton area. The new space will also allow the museum to host more exhibitions, attract more visitors each year, and improve its ability to preserve its collections.

The discovery centre will be interactive and educational while showcasing the history of transportation in this region.

The project will cost $9.3 million and the City of Moncton is contributing $6 million. Mayor George LeBlanc said they hope the province will commit $1 million to the project and a fund-raising campaign led by Wes Armour, president and CEO of Armour Transportation Systems, is also contributing to the total cost.

LeBlanc credited many people for making this centre a reality, including former mayor Lorne Mitton, whose council set the project in motion, Deputy Mayor Kathryn Barnes and Coun. Merrill Henderson who championed the project, and the CN Pensioners Association, who lobbied for such a facility from the beginning and also contributed to the fund-raising.

"They really helped push for this and get it off the ground," said the mayor, of the pensioners.

LeBlanc said transportation is part of Moncton's history and heritage and the centre will be something the city can be proud of. He added that the key will be to make the centre fun and interactive and especially appealing to young people.

"We'll be limited by only our imaginations," he said.

Drawings of the museum with the Transportation Discovery Centre constructed were on display during the announcement, and Raven Spanier, of Architecture 2000 Inc,. was also present to talk about the project. Spanier said he did the design back in 2005 and is excited to finally see it come to fruition.

"It will be one of the first discovery centres in New Brunswick," said the architect.

The most eye-catching design of the new centre is the fact the front of the building looks like a large cow catcher that would sit on the front of a train to throw obstacles off the track.

"It was perfect for a transportation centre and it was the first thing that came to mind when I designed it," said Spanier.

Construction could begin in early 2012 and is expected to take a year to complete.

mmmatt · #**9210** Posted **Oct 4, 2011, 10:23 PM**

Also of note the curvy glass expansion of the science building at UdeM has steel going up now.

And Gauvin Estates is on to the third floor

Today:

MonctonRad · #**9211** Posted **Oct 4, 2011, 10:41 PM**

Also in the T&T today (although oddly not in the online edition), news that the budget review process by city council for capital works is starting for the upcoming year.

As part of the process, they extrapolate expenditures out over the next 4-5 years. In addition to the Transportation Discovery Centre that mmmatt mentioned, there was also mention of the downtown events centre (now estimated at about $104M and a new police headquarters (probably about $30M or so), both slated for construction in 2013-14.

Neither of these two projects are set in stone, but the city is at least proceding on the assumption that these projects will be built.

The next 4-5 years could be transformational for the downtown area.
1- Transportation Discovery Centre (expansion to Moncton Museum), 2012
2- Downtown Arena/Events Centre, 2013-14
3- New Codiac Regional Police HQ, 2013-14
4- At least three large downtown apartment/condo projects
5- Possible new seven storey office building at Assomption/Vaughan Harvey
6- Proposed mixed use development on Robinson Court behind the new Peace Centre.

If this all transpires, the downtown may recieve the momentum to propel it well into the future!

Hogie75 · #**9212** Posted **Oct 5, 2011, 1:46 PM**

My guess would be A&W and maybe a Rona Store in Riverview.

C_Boy · #**9213** Posted **Oct 5, 2011, 4:01 PM**

Codiac Transit undergoes changes

A new name, realigned routes and improved bus access all part of changes

Allan Dearing - News StaffOct 05, 2011 10:26:27 AM

MONCTON, NB - Changes are being made at Codiac Transit.

First up a new name... the tri-communities bus system is now called Codiac Transpo.

Spokesperson Marie Claire Pierce says numerous routes have been realigned with more frequent service and at least three will become more accessible.

"On October 31st, Dieppe Express, Moncton Express and Connaught will be made more accessible with ramps on buses," notes Pierce.

Codiac Transpo is now offering 30 minute service to the casino and is offering improved service to the Hildegarde area.

Pierce adds numerous other bus routes have been realigned to allow for better service.

Edit: Too bad they can't change that ugly colour scheme....

gehrhardt · #**9214** Posted **Oct 5, 2011, 6:23 PM**

Seriously? "Transpo"? I suppose it's better than "Codiac 🞵🞵🞵🞵🞵🞵", even though the aforementioned colour scheme seems fitting.

Why not name it something catchy, like the "CAT" (Codiac Area Transit) with appropriate graphics? I know Bangor/Brewer has the "BAT". Heck, they can have that idea for free (on me).

Even "The Bus" would make more sense.

Stop making up words!!! Just because Ottawa does it doesn't make it right.

kwajo · #**9215** Posted **Oct 5, 2011, 8:07 PM**

Transpo? Seriously?

mmmatt · #**9216** Posted **Oct 5, 2011, 8:30 PM**

Couple notes...

1. "Transpo" is apparently more bilingual than "Transit" hence the name change. I don't mind it but I agree with C_Boy, I wish there was a color change that came along with it! Pink and Purple?? C'mon people

Kwajo: The transit/transpo is kind of irrelevant anyway because their logo is just "codiac" most people will probably never know it was changed.

source: "codiac transpo"

2. Found a site with the plans for the new Energy Center U/C @ the Dumont Hospital. They had no nice 3d drawings or anything really interesting to post, however they did show there will be a large ventilation stack included in on the site (as it will house the heading boilers for the entire hospital complex). It will be at least twice as tall as the roof of the building. If nothing else it will add a degree of symmetry with the stack of UdeMs boiler across the highway

3. The steel going up for the theater expansion is quite large so far, and taller than the old building.

Dug up this blurb from the builders (Marco):

"This project involves a complete renovation of the existing 2 030 square meter facility and the construction of a 2 170 square meter addition. SIx of the existing cinemas will be demolished and replaced with three completely new ones and an expanded, self-serve concessions area. The existing concessions area will be replaced with another modernized, cinema, and all remaining cinemas will receive upgrades. When complete, the entire facility will feature 8 movie screens and stadium seating for 1 596 guests. The exterior will involve a large quantity of aluminum curtain wall combined with aluminum entrances, precast concrete wall panels, metal siding, and composite aluminum panels. Work also includes all interior finishes, complete plumbing, electrical, and ventilation systems, as well as the installation of owner supplied seating, projection equipment, and interior / exterior signage."

So they will be doing a complete re-build of the exterior which is great news as the blue paint and signage was quite faded.

It should be in their new style which is quite modern and attractive.

Example1 (rendering from unknown location)

source: marketsaw

Example2 Waterloo, ON (This is the first theater to have Empire Extra)

source: traugott

mylesmalley · #**9217** Posted **Oct 5, 2011, 9:15 PM**

If the final design looks anything like those, the whole area will look significantly better.

Although to be fair, anything would be an improvement considering Empire had no façade at all before now.

Wishblade · #**9218** Posted **Oct 6, 2011, 12:04 AM**

That first example is almost certainly the Empire at Dartmouth Crossing.

mmmatt · #**9219** Posted **Oct 6, 2011, 12:10 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by mylesmalley

If the final design looks anything like those, the whole area will look significantly better.

Although to be fair, anything would be an improvement considering Empire had no façade at all before now.

True, and for two reasons that is great

1. It is basically the only part of the whole crystal palace/champlain mall complex that looked really bad

2. It is situated prominently at one of the primary, and most visually interesting entrances to the city (coming from shediac/north NB into town on the 15)

MonctonRad · #**9220** Posted **Oct 6, 2011, 1:46 AM**

It would be great if the new facade for the Crystal Palace Empire Theatre ends up looking like the theatre at Dartmouth Crossing.

We do know that in the redesign of this theatre, that the new main entrance will face the outside, rather than on the internal concourse of Crystal Palace. It would be nice to know if they will also maintain an internal entrance to the theatre as well. The theatre complements the amusement park as well as the Chapters/Starbucks and the hotel really well. I think something would be lost if there was not also an internal entrance, especially in the wintertime......