[Moncton] Centre Avenir Centre | 26.65m |~6 Fl | Completed - Page 36

Monctoncore · #**701** Posted **Jun 18, 2015, 9:36 PM**

nwalbert, the federal government has already freed up 18 million in space for Moncton, so technically they have almost already done their share... As for CTV news they did a great job tonight interviewing everyone against the project... mr. hicks , with his comment calling it another white elephant... I think he is so backwards in his thinking... Anyone who is against growth and new recreational infrustructure is crazy...
A city has to be more than just shopping, people need to be able to play and be entertained... Yes jobs is a big part of why someone chooses a city, but if you want your city to have life and a heart and this "white elephant" is how we start bringing back a heart..

On a side note Mr. Hicks was also against the Moncton stadium and look how that turned out, he was in the seats Saturday when I was there... Opposed to something and yet goes to all the events held there...

Scarface · #**702** Posted **Jun 18, 2015, 9:38 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by nwalbert

Will be interesting to see how this plays out...... I think Mr Gallant kisses his political career goodbye if he in fact announces this funding.

The city has a BIG decision to make since the signs are that the feds will NOT contribute or allow the redirection of funds towards this project. Does the city take the risk of going without Federal funds? Will the provincial funding be tied to confirmed federal funds they know wont come?

Should be interesting to see this play out.

According to CTV News The funds are there but there are strings attached, and it's creepy how someone told me almost exactly what Mr Hicks was going to say before he said it... There stating that construction will take 3 years.Also that the provincial, and federal governments are loaning the money to Moncton With conditions attached Moncton has to prove the convention center will not need the Province, or Feds to keep it running. There saying the tax revenue would go into social services as Education, Medical, and Old age assistance... All areas the province has cut... I'm cautiously optimistic that this will happen, will work, and the money generated will go to what we have been told ... But still cautious since we've been made promises before that have not been held...

nwalbert · #**703** Posted **Jun 18, 2015, 10:06 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Monctoncore

nwalbert, the federal government has already freed up 18 million in space for Moncton, so technically they have almost already done their share...

I don't believe this to be true.

Monctoncore · #**704** Posted **Jun 18, 2015, 10:20 PM**

Read benvui's post and link earlier on this page , it mentions Goguen saying that's the Federal government supplied money to 4 Moncton projects recently that tallies up to about 18 million dollars, so that is money the city can free up because the government is covering projects they initially would have had to cover themselves.
I don't see anything wrong with what you said and it will be interesting, and there is nothing wrong with healthy debate over if the project will work out, but one of the reasons I haven't been on here lately is all the negativity, now maybe I'm reading what you said wrong, but I don't see how the gallant government supporting a project will kill his career... I'm sure there are many other projects they will support and not support, that not everyone agrees with, but sadly to make money, you do have to occasionally spend it, and if the construction creates jobs even for 3 years it's worth it in the end and 50 full time jobs, that's still a gain in jobs once it's finished.

Monctoncore · #**705** Posted **Jun 18, 2015, 10:25 PM**

It's also mentions in Benvui's article he posted that, they federal government is re-evaluating two of the 4 projects already approved, but chance are they won't make any changes to the amount allotted to the city.

L'homard · #**706** Posted **Jun 19, 2015, 12:23 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

It was a (semi) serious suggestion.

And why not? Lots of municipalities charge non-taxpayers (citizens of outlying communities) a higher price to use their recreational infrastructure.

BlackYear · #**707** Posted **Jun 19, 2015, 12:31 AM**

So NB Health Minister Victor Boudreau was in Moncton to announce funding for the new events centre, meanwhile, the Premier of NB was in Saint John today to announce funding for the new medical equipment which Victor Boudreau said "No" too!

Couldn't Finance Minister Roger Melanson handle this announcement in Moncton on his own?

Who's running this province anyways?

UptownJeff · #**708** Posted **Jun 19, 2015, 1:10 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Budyser

So NB Health Minister Victor Boudreau was in Moncton to announce funding for the new events centre, meanwhile, the Premier of NB was in Saint John today to announce funding for the new medical equipment which Victor Boudreau said "No" too!

Couldn't Finance Minister Roger Melanson handle this announcement in Moncton on his own?

Who's running this province anyways?

God knows....I was hoping you knew!

MonctonRad · #**709** Posted **Jun 19, 2015, 1:12 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by UptownJeff

God knows....I was hoping you knew!

It's the Atcon 6 isn't it? It certainly isn't Brian Gallant......

Good2go · #**710** Posted **Jun 19, 2015, 1:15 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

It would be nice however if Dieppe and Riverview could kick in a little cash

How about NO.

Enjoy your new tax rate paying for this white elephant.

drewber · #**711** Posted **Jun 19, 2015, 1:50 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Good2go

How about NO.

Enjoy your new tax rate paying for this white elephant.

I'm a Dieppe resident and I agree all three municipalities should have to kick in a portion. But with riverview having less than 5,000 fewer residents I don't think Dieppe should have to kick in double what they do. I say 5 mil from us and 4 mil from Riverview and that covers the 9M gap.

Taeolas · #**712** Posted **Jun 19, 2015, 2:29 AM**

Not sure if it would be allowed, but maybe the city could set up an Event Surcharge for Downtown Convention Centre (and maybe MagHill and Casino and similar) events.

If you live in Moncton, you have one rate. Live outside and you're charged an extra %. If Riverview and Dieppe join in, they can get the local rate as well.

NBNYer · #**713** Posted **Jun 19, 2015, 2:42 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Taeolas

Not sure if it would be allowed, but maybe the city could set up an Event Surcharge for Downtown Convention Centre (and maybe MagHill and Casino and similar) events.

If you live in Moncton, you have one rate. Live outside and you're charged an extra %. If Riverview and Dieppe join in, they can get the local rate as well.

One of the main economic benefits of such events comes from visitors travelling to the area and contributing to the local economy. Adding a tax solely for them is not the way to go.

Moncton is by far the main benefactor of the events centre, but Riverview and Dieppe will also benefit so I think it's reasonable to consider some contribution. Not sure what amount would be fair though. And btw, I live in Dieppe.

pierremoncton · #**714** Posted **Jun 19, 2015, 2:52 AM**

Not a fan of surcharges. The Dieppe Aquatic Centre has a surcharge for non-Dieppe residents, and I find it extremely cheap of them (and I avoid it for that reason). We should be working together, not nickel-and-diming people because they're from out of town.

Riverview and Dieppe ought to contribute, but not a huge deal if they won't. We'll all end up under the same umbrella one day when someone with political courage imposes amalgamation.

MonctonRad · #**715** Posted **Jun 19, 2015, 3:34 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by drewber

I'm a Dieppe resident and I agree all three municipalities should have to kick in a portion. But with riverview having less than 5,000 fewer residents I don't think Dieppe should have to kick in double what they do. I say 5 mil from us and 4 mil from Riverview and that covers the 9M gap.

The only reason why I used the $6M/$3M split is because Dieppe has a much more robust commercial/industrial tax base. Riverview is almost entirely residential.

In any event, I was being facetious. I can't imagine any scenario where our sister communities would contribute. It would certainly be nice though. Moncton on it's own is only 70,000 people. If you added in Dieppe and Riverview, that would bring us up to 115,000 to share the burden.

Nice, but politically unrealistic.........

J81 · #**716** Posted **Jun 19, 2015, 4:55 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by pierremoncton

Not a fan of surcharges. The Dieppe Aquatic Centre has a surcharge for non-Dieppe residents, and I find it extremely cheap of them (and I avoid it for that reason). We should be working together, not nickel-and-diming people because they're from out of town.

Riverview and Dieppe ought to contribute, but not a huge deal if they won't. We'll all end up under the same umbrella one day when someone with political courage imposes amalgamation.

Nickle and diming people to death is the maritime way isnt it? Along with the defeatist attitudes of all the small minded individuals who all seem to have the loudest voice! Its a shame that our communities cant rally around a project like this that will change our city forever. Monctons downtown is by far the worst in the maritimes for sure. Rarely many people around even on warm nights like this past week. Hopefully when this gets built that will change.

emad · #**717** Posted **Jun 19, 2015, 12:08 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by drewber

I'm a Dieppe resident and I agree all three municipalities should have to kick in a portion. But with riverview having less than 5,000 fewer residents I don't think Dieppe should have to kick in double what they do. I say 5 mil from us and 4 mil from Riverview and that covers the 9M gap.

I'm also a Dieppe resident and I wouldn't mind at all that Dieppe contribute a fair share to the project. I think all three cities will benefits from the downtown centre. And it's also easier to manage than to ask non-Moncton residend to pay a surcharge for every event.

And I don't believe a second that this will become a white elephant... and to all those persons saying that it will go over budget (not that I read many here - more in the CBC comment

), I would invite them to look at what Quebec City did with their new Centre Videotron... despite having a budget of $400M, they managed to get it built for $370. That's just evidence that there's a way to keep this kind of project under budget...

OliverD · #**718** Posted **Jun 19, 2015, 2:25 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by pierremoncton

Not a fan of surcharges. The Dieppe Aquatic Centre has a surcharge for non-Dieppe residents, and I find it extremely cheap of them (and I avoid it for that reason). We should be working together, not nickel-and-diming people because they're from out of town.

Riverview and Dieppe ought to contribute, but not a huge deal if they won't. We'll all end up under the same umbrella one day when someone with political courage imposes amalgamation.

Presumably, none of these municipal facilities are every operated at a profit. They are funded not just by user fees but also by property taxes. So it isn't exactly fair to residents if non-residents are effectively paying less.

I think a reasonable surcharge is more than fair, though ultimately it would be nice to see municipalities working together to share costs.

Nashe · #**719** Posted **Jun 19, 2015, 3:04 PM**

I wonder how long before we can change the thread title, removing the "(Proposed)"?

riverviewer · #**720** Posted **Jun 19, 2015, 3:04 PM**

Taxation without Representation?

If Riverview and Dieppe are expected to pay, then Riverview and Dieppe should get input into the cost and scope of the project. Otherwise Moncton can decide for itself, and pay on its own.