The Official Moncton, NB Project Thread

[brod3211]

McKesson Canada confirms $25M centre in Moncton
Company is consolidating Maritime facility in Moncton
CBC News
Posted: Jan 27, 2012 12:16 PM AT
Last Updated: Jan 27, 2012 12:26 PM AT

McKesson merging Maritime operations in Moncton

McKesson Canada is investing $25 million into a distribution business in Moncton that will serve the Maritime region.

McKesson Canada is moving to a new distribution centre in Moncton’s Caledonia Industrial Park, where it will employ 90 people.

The new centre will hire 40 new workers on top of the 50 existing employees the company had at its previous facility.

Nick Loporcaro, the president of McKesson Canada, said the new centre will enable the company to generate more efficiencies for its customers.

“This is an important decision for McKesson Canada as it also provides more flexibility and potential to offer new distribution services to our Maritime customers while taking into account current and future needs,” Loporcaro said in a statement.

The Friday morning announcement is a confirmation of the company’s decision to locate its Maritime distribution centre in Moncton.

The company previously had separate facilities in Moncton and Halifax.

Premier David Alward said attracting companies, such as McKesson, to New Brunswick is a key part of the province’s economic development strategy.

“Working with first-rate companies, like McKesson Canada, is a critical part of Invest NB’s plan to grow the provinces gross domestic product and create a stronger, more sustainable economy,” Alward said in a statement.

Alward said Invest NB, the province’s Crown corporation that is responsible for economic development, will work with the company to “ensure all future economic opportunities are realized to their full potential.”

The new jobs will add more than $2.2 million in new gross domestic product for the provincial government in the current fiscal year.

Alward foreshadowed the McKesson Canada announcement in Thursday's State of the Province speech in Fredericton. The premier was discussing the need to attract more businesses to the province.

"The time has come for us as a province to be far more proactive in bringing job creators to New Brunswick," he said on Thuresday.

McKesson Canada, which distributes pharmaceuticals and products to health-care providers, has distribution centres around the country.

The company says its distribution centres supply 40 per cent of the medicines used in Canada to 6,300 retail pharmacies and 1,350 hospitals, clinics and institutions.

[mylesmalley]

It's great news, but didn't the CBC report that before Christmas?

[MonctonRad]

I'm sure they did but Premier Alward was in town for the "official" announcement, so I guess they felt compelled to report it again....

On another note, it seems that the province is becoming reluctant to pony over their share for the Transportation Discovery Centre at the Moncton Museum. It's only a $1M contribution on a $10M project, and almost all the other funding has been committed (even from the feds), so I think it would be false economy on the part of the province to renege now. Come on Mr. Premier, it's time to step to the plate!

Finally, I heard from a usually reliable source today that The Bay will stay open in it's current location now until September. If this is true, I wonder if this lends some credence to the rumour that they might in fact be looking for a new location in the city. By staying open longer, it keeps their options open, wouldn't it.....

[NBNYer]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

Finally, I heard from a usually reliable source today that The Bay will stay open in it's current location now until September.

I thought the whole mall was closing in April. How can this be?

[MonctonRad]

The Bay was going to close in April. Crombie gave the other tenants the option of staying as long as the fall.

[Good2go]

Bouclair coming to Trinity Drive, Cleve's prepares for move and The Bay stays open a little longer

BY ERIC LEWIS
TIMES & TRANSCRIPT STAFF
01/28/2012

Moncton is to be the next home for a long-standing Canadian retailer that has been expanding across the country over the last few years.

Bouclair, a Quebec-based home decor retailer, will open on Trinity Drive in March.

Marie-Emmanuelle Khoury, media co-ordinator for the company, said yesterday that Bouclair's slogan is 'home fashion, smart value' and that the store offers new products every week with the latest in colours and styles.

<snip>

And there's more development taking place in the north end of Moncton.

Cleve's Source for Sports recently vacated its Trinity Drive location and is currently located in the old Co-op store on Record Street in downtown Moncton.

That location is temporary as the retailer waits for its new home in the Mapleton Power Centre across from Costco to be ready. Construction is underway, but a timeline on exactly when the store will move to its new location was unavailable yesterday.

Last July at a Moncton council meeting, development plans for the Mapleton Power Centre were handed out that identified five retailers as anchors for the shopping complex.

While developer Ashford Construction later said that not all of the stores are confirmed, electronics giant Best Buy; housewares chain Bed, Bath and Beyond; pet supplier Petsmart and sporting goods chains Golf Town and Cleve's were named on the plans.

Cleve's has since been confirmed, and a golf sporting store was mentioned in December's building permits report for the city.

Kevin Silliker, director of business and tourism development for Moncton, said yesterday that the city is clearly still attractive to retailers.

'It's been really busy so far this year as far as inquiries and development we're hearing might be happening,' he said, noting that the private sector is going to drive development in 2012, rather than government.

Silliker, of course, couldn't say what rumblings he is hearing about as far as retail establishments go.

That's up to developers and the stores themselves, but he did say that there has been a number of retailers signing on to various developments in the area.

He also said many of them want to be open in time to take advantage of the fall back-to-school season, so we can expect more stores to open in summer and fall.

Silliker also noted that the city has been in contact with The Bay, which recently announced its intentions to leave Moncton since Highfield Square is closing.

'We did reach out,' he said. 'I just felt like we couldn't have a company like The Bay pulling out of the market.' The Bay had planned to close in April, but the company released a statement to the Times & Transcript yesterday confirming that it would stay open until Sept. 1.

Silliker said The Bay executives have told the city that the market in Moncton is clearly strong and that they would love to stay here. The Bay said in a statement earlier this month that it has 'no plans at this time to open another store in Moncton,' but Silliker said he wouldn't be surprised if The Bay comes back to the market in the future.

He said he hopes developers are approaching The Bay with possible ideas for a new home.

On the horizon in 2013 is Moncton's first Target store, which will take over Zellers on Mountain Road. The future of Zellers on Main Street is still unknown.

Silliker also addressed the consistent chatter in the city that Starbucks might open a standalone location or two. He said the city has been in contact with the famed coffee company many times, but he hasn't heard anything recently to suggest that the company is planning to open a new store in the area. A representative for the coffee chain was unable to provide any information regarding potential Moncton locations.

Two Starbucks locations exist in Dieppe - one in Champlain Place and the other in Chapters.

In Riverview, Kent Building Supplies is expected to open its Coverdale Road store in the spring.

Also on the horizon is a new development on Sobeys-owned land next to Findlay Boulevard in front of Canadian Tire. Which businesses will move into the strip mall is unknown, but it is expected to have room for five tenants.

DocBraces is also planning a location in Riverview, on Gunningsville Boulevard just off Findlay.

Cordova Realty is advertising space for lease in a planned professional arts building, with DocBraces, an orthodontic clinic, to be the first tenant. The building is expected to open in about two years.

The general manager of Dieppe's economic development corporation, Pierre Dupuis, said that three major projects are in development in the city.

Jean Coutu is already confirmed for a new location on Dieppe Boulevard, and it may open as soon as spring.

Also in the Dieppe Boulevard area, another retailer is moving in, but Dupuis couldn't say who it is.

It is expected to open this year or next.

And another business in Metro Moncton is opening a new location in Dieppe, doubling and possibly tripling its current location, but again Dupuis wasn't at liberty to say which business it is.

He also pointed out that Footech, a custom foot orthotics and footwear retailer, is opening a new location on Acadia Avenue.

I was in Cleves on Thursday, and asked a clerk how long they would be in the downtown location. She said they hoped to move by March 21.

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

:Finally, I heard from a usually reliable source today that The Bay will stay open in it's current location now until September. If this is true, I wonder if this lends some credence to the rumour that they might in fact be looking for a new location in the city. By staying open longer, it keeps their options open, wouldn't it.....

The Sleuth in the newspaper that shall not be named confirmed today that the Bay is indeed staying open until September and also alluded to the fact that options are being explored to find an alternate location in the greater Moncton area!!

Perhaps the final chapter of this story has not yet been written!!

I'm beginning to seriously wonder about the East Main Street Zellers location. The Bay could move in there rather painlessly.

[BlackYear]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

The Sleuth in the newspaper that shall not be named confirmed today that the Bay is indeed staying open until September and also alluded to the fact that options are being explored to find an alternate location in the greater Moncton area!!

Perhaps the final chapter of this story has not yet been written!!

I'm beginning to seriously wonder about the East Main Street Zellers location. The Bay could move in there rather painlessly.

Yes, that would be a painless move for sure. They could even just detach the "The Bay" lighted sign from the current location and move it over.

With the new bank almost complete at the Superstore entrance, and if something could be done with the King/Main street piece of land next to Staples asap, East Main street is pretty much filled. Traffic in this area is already nuts, just imagine later...

If Valmount (or whomever the name is) doesn't do anything with the King/Main street piece of land soon, why not hand it over to Aquilini.

[MonctonRad]

So, this is one of Aquilini's projects out west.......

Wouldn't this look nice next to the Crowne Plaza Hotel. Now, just imagine this connected by pedway to an arena/events centre across the street.

Now try to imagine an integrated downtown transit terminal, storefront retail, pubs and restaurants across the street incorporated into the events centre. Imagine the acres of surface parking replaced by multilevel parkades.

Finally, imagine the hotels and condos springing up in the surrounding neighbourhood with all of this development stimulated by the strategic investment by all three levels of government in a downtown events centre.....

[MonctonRad]

The newspaper that shall not be named had an article this morning about Oulton College's new campus on War Veteran Avenue behind the YMCA.

The new building will consolidate all their programs except for their dental technology programs, which will stay in their building just down the street on Vaughan Harvey Blvd.

Oulton has an enrollment of 500 students which is pretty impressive. With their new campus, they plan on establishing new programs in licenced practical nursing, home care support worker, and executive office administration.

This is an architectural rendering of the new building:

[Sushi Guy]

Does that mean that they are planning on closing their main campus on Lutz St.??

[MonctonRad]

Yes, they are relocating.

[Dec72011]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

The newspaper that shall not be named had an article this morning about Oulton College's new campus on War Veteran Avenue behind the YMCA.

The new building will consolidate all their programs except for their dental technology programs, which will stay in their building just down the street on Vaughan Harvey Blvd.

Oulton has an enrollment of 500 students which is pretty impressive. With their new campus, they plan on establishing new programs in licenced practical nursing, home care support worker, and executive office administration.

This is an architectural rendering of the new building:

Fugly!

[mmmatt]

Originally Posted by Dec72011

Fugly!

Well its 1000% better than the featureless aluminum box they are in now...and the design fits the location. Suburban commercial...it will fit in well with the YMCA, CGI, Asurion, Exxon, Liquide Air etc. Its also great news they are adding to their programs!

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by mmmatt

Well its 1000% better than the featureless aluminum box they are in now...and the design fits the location. Suburban commercial...it will fit in well with the YMCA, CGI, Asurion, Exxon, Liquide Air etc. Its also great news they are adding to their programs!

Agree totally. Much better than their current building. The location also makes sense in that it is right next to the YMCA. This would be very popular with students and also it should be noted that some programs (law enforcement) already used the YMCA facilities for student training and conditioning.

You also have to keep in mind that this is a private college and there is no public funding being used for construction. As such, it is not surprising that this building will not be an architectural masterpiece. It will be modern, functional and will blend into the suburban commercial neighbourhood quite well.

[Norshorer]

Source = http://www.news919.com/news/local/article/325392--retail-sector-still-growing-in-greater-moncton (Rogers News 91.9)

Retail sector still growing in Greater Moncton
Long delayed Mapleton Power Centre is finally set to open this summer
Allan Dearing - News Staff Jan 31, 2012 06:01:47 AM

MONCTON, NB - As one retail complex prepares to close in Greater Moncton, another is about to open later this year.

Highfield Square may be going dark but the lights will soon be turned on at the new Mapleton Power Centre.

Quebec-based home decor retailer Bouclair and Cleve's Source for Sports are two of the confirmed stores for the new centre which was delayed by the recession.

Other rumoured retailers include Best Buy, Bed, Bath and Beyond and Petsmart.

Kevin Silliker is Moncton's Business and Tourism Development Director.

"A lot of people look to Moncton as a retail destination. That is something that fits very well for us and we continue to expand upon that."

In Riverview, Kent Building Supplies is opening a new location this spring on Coverdale Road and Findlay Park continues to be developed.

In Dieppe, businesses continue to open along Dieppe Boulevard including a new Jean Coutu later this year.

I'm glad to see Best Buy is still one of the "rumoured" stores for the MPC (Mapleton Power Centre).

Would be nice if MEC (or even REI) would soften their stance on NB and decide to build a new store at the MPC. I'm sure the local camping & outdoor fitness crowd would love saving an almost 3 hour drive to Halifax if we had one in our own back yard.

Also nice to see Dieppe Blvd. continue to get new retail. I used to live out that end of town several years ago and wow, what a change a few years makes!

EDIT: Oops, just noticed Good2go's post further above. Guess News 91.9 is a few days late with this info.

[JasonL-Moncton]

I too would love to see a MEC here, but don't they typically like to go into the 'downtown' core of a city when they do open?

I'd read somewhere they like older buildings and having a street front presence versus the 'box store' mentality...that said...MEC would be great downtown somewhere

JL

[NBNYer]

Originally Posted by JasonL-Moncton

I too would love to see a MEC here, but don't they typically like to go into the 'downtown' core of a city when they do open?

I'd read somewhere they like older buildings and having a street front presence versus the 'box store' mentality...that said...MEC would be great downtown somewhere

JL

They usually do like to set up shop in downtowns and more urban settings. Although the one in Montreal in the Ahuntsic area at the "Marché central" is more suburban-ish.

They would indeed be a great addition to downtown Moncton, it is an awesome store. I remember a forumer here saying that they had contacted them for a possible franchise in the city but they were not interested in NB at the time.

[ithree]

Originally Posted by NBNYer

They usually do like to set up shop in downtowns and more urban settings. Although the one in Montreal in the Ahuntsic area at the "Marché central" is more suburban-ish.

They would indeed be a great addition to downtown Moncton, it is an awesome store. I remember a forumer here saying that they had contacted them for a possible franchise in the city but they were not interested in NB at the time.

As much as I love MEC, I would welcome Atmosphere (formerly Coast Mountain Sport) to Moncton as a substitute any day. Owned by Forzani group, they have a store in Halifax (combo store with Sportchek) and they're all over Quebec.

Heck if I would have the guts, I would open my own outdoor adventure store in the city.

[NBNYer]

Originally Posted by ithree

Heck if I would have the guts, I would open my own outdoor adventure store in the city.

Do it!