The Official Saint John, NB Project Thread

[Chadillaccc]

Originally Posted by GregHickman

That's a good point, but how many people from the boulevards are honestly going to be using the Y on a daily basis?

I just hope it doesn't get burnt down during construction like the police outreach centre on Victoria was a few years back.



Nothing against waterfront development, but I think the Y is better suited to central locations. Residential and commercial properties are better suited to waterfront, imo.

And:

I can see there being an advantage to putting the Y at the waterfront. It could potentially spark more redevelopment and hopefully some residential development as well.

[JHikka]

Originally Posted by Chadillaccc

I can see there being an advantage to putting the Y at the waterfront. It could potentially spark more redevelopment and hopefully some residential development as well.

To put the Y on the waterfront you'd have to make concessions with the Port Authority and the Longshoremen. A process which, i'm sure, would take a lot of time and cost a lot of money. That and a Y has zero appeal to cruise ship passengers, who apparently have more sway than citizens, at least in the eyes of City Hall.

The Y fits in perfectly with the city's goal for the revitalization of the Crescent Valley area, and is a very good fit if you're looking at altering perceptions of a neighbourhood/changing for the better.

[WilJai]

The New Y looks awesome.. as does the plan for Cruise Terminal 2 at Pugsely Wharf

[kwajo]

Some more cruise ship terminal II info:

Cruise Terminal 2 is part of a larger cruise enhancement project announced earlier this year with funding support received from the federal and provincial governments. The larger project includes berth enhancements at both this terminal and Long Wharf and is projected to be a total of $15.6 million in infrastructure investment. The federal and provincial government are each contributing $4.5 million to the total project, with the remaining amount being funded by the Saint John Port Authority.
Cruise Terminal 2 at Pugsley C Wharf was designed for the Saint John Port Authority by Dillon Consulting and architect Toss Solutions.
The design was created to blend visually both with neighbouring Marco Polo Cruise Terminal and the new modern condominium development, Harbourfront Residences, across the street while including elements of the character of heritage buildings in surrounding Uptown Saint John.
The terminal was designed as a gateway to experiencing the destination of Saint John and the Fundy region.
Cruise Terminal 2 at Pugsley C Wharf will be approximately 25, 000 square feet in area over two levels.
The terminal design includes rental spaces with views to Partridge Island and access to a patio area for small functions (up to 125 people) on the second level. A functional kitchen and preparation area for caterers will also be located on this level.
The terminal design includes design elements for public access to roof-top viewing areas which will be open during specified hours, including dates when cruise ships will be docked at the terminal.
The terminal design also includes storage capacity for the Port Authority’s off-cruise season operational needs and required areas for Canada Border Services Agency screening.
The project is currently underway with the demolition of the existing shed at this location expected to be completed by the end of October and new construction scheduled to start in November 2011. Project completion date is August 2012.
The cruise enhancement project and the new cruise terminal at Pugsley Wharf are consistent with the Saint John Port Authority’s Land Use Plan (2011) which was created in a consultative process earlier in the year and finalized and launched at Port Days in June 2011.

Media contact: Paula Small, Manager of Public Relations
Saint John Port Authority (506) 636-4674 [email protected]

I simply don't understand the tower portion of this building, or how anyone could imagine it being a good idea. The building isn't bad without it, but it sticks out like a sore thumb.

[Fischbob]

Thanks for the info, Kwajo! As with the first terminal, the specific choice of brick will probably make a big impact on its final look. I'm with you on the tower portion: it's way too monolithic compared to the rest of the building, should have at least incorporated some glass (and what's with that silly green dome?). I can see it working better if they plan to cover a portion of its walls with a banner or two.

Glad to hear plans for the new Y are moving along - Crescent Valley and the North End will benefit from having the facility nearby. To refresh everyone's memory (I'm pretty sure it's been posted before), here's the Crescent Valley Master Plan (PDF), which will eventually transform the area into a mixed-income neighbourhood. Presumably the Y and its parking will replace one of the blocks south of Churchill and Somerset.

[GUB]

Not to beat a dead horse, but that tower just looks awkward---looks more like a fire escape.
The building would definitely be better without the tower. Too bad...

[kwajo]

Originally Posted by Fischbob

Thanks for the info, Kwajo! As with the first terminal, the specific choice of brick will probably make a big impact on its final look. I'm with you on the tower portion: it's way too monolithic compared to the rest of the building, should have at least incorporated some glass (and what's with that silly green dome?). I can see it working better if they plan to cover a portion of its walls with a banner or two.

Glad to hear plans for the new Y are moving along - Crescent Valley and the North End will benefit from having the facility nearby. To refresh everyone's memory (I'm pretty sure it's been posted before), here's the Crescent Valley Master Plan (PDF), which will eventually transform the area into a mixed-income neighbourhood. Presumably the Y and its parking will replace one of the blocks south of Churchill and Somerset.

I agree, some windows would make it look better, as right now it looks really tacked on. The banner idea is interesting, that very well could be the plan, but that doesn't explain the strange little dome that doesn't even seem like it is to scale with the rest of the building. And not that I care, but didn't they announce intentions to have this new terminal complement the Harbourfront Residences across the street? Maybe I'm blind but they don't seem to share a single characteristic.

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by kwajo

I agree, some windows would make it look better.

I'd turn it into a clock tower myself.

[mylesmalley]

It would look a lot less out of place if it was the entrance or had something to break up the solid brick sides.

[Ire Narissis]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

I'd turn it into a clock tower myself.

Not a bad idea!

I think it was mentioned in one of the articles that the dome is meant to be an homage to the dome that once topped the General Hospital. My opinion on that, though, is that the aforementioned dome has itself been preserved in a monument on a prominent hillside so I don't think it really begs tribute.

I think they could have drawn further inspiration from the old General by integrating the tower into the centre of the building rather than plunking it on one side; this could have given the building a much less boxy look.

[nwalbert]

Fantastic news that Irving has landed the $25 billion shipbuilding contract!

Halifax will clearly see the greatest benefit and I am sure we will see that city explode, However Saint John will be next in line and see significant economic development from this as well.

[kwajo]

Yeah it's hard for Saint John not to get a windfall from that contract, especially given how vertically integrated Irving companies are. You're right though, Halifax could really surge ahead with this, but Saint John stands a good chance at reaping several sub-contracts and improving our already solid employment market.

[nwalbert]

Originally Posted by kwajo

Yeah it's hard for Saint John not to get a windfall from that contract, especially given how vertically integrated Irving companies are. You're right though, Halifax could really surge ahead with this, but Saint John stands a good chance at reaping several sub-contracts and improving our already solid employment market.

I was speaking with a few gentleman this morning who are close to this project and apparently there is still a substantial amount of shipbuilding expertise and contractors in the city who are expected to receive a substantial uplift as a result of this project.

[JHikka]

As a real quick note:

The Rick Mercer Report for October 25th features Rick whale-watching with Measha Brueggergosman (presumably out of St. Andrews), as well as Rick taking the Jet Boat Ride at Reversing Falls with New Brunswick Premier David Alward.

I love both of these, but I can't imagine how good Saint John will look with the pulp mill in the background of that jet boat video. That water is disgusting.

[Eddy]

Moncton has a beautiful new set of rinks. Fredericton has a beautiful setup. The QPlex is amazing! Saint John? brrr.. cold, dreary old places. And ice time is impossible to get.

Let's put a bit double arena complex within the bounds of Rockwood park.

Something that we feel proud of when we have hockey, speed skating or figure skating competitions in Saint John.

Incidentally, does anyone know about the status of in-rink wifi? It was supposed to be launched last spring.

[JHikka]

Originally Posted by Eddy

Moncton has a beautiful new set of rinks. Fredericton has a beautiful setup. The QPlex is amazing! Saint John? brrr.. cold, dreary old places. And ice time is impossible to get.

Let's put a bit double arena complex within the bounds of Rockwood park.

Something that we feel proud of when we have hockey, speed skating or figure skating competitions in Saint John.

Incidentally, does anyone know about the status of in-rink wifi? It was supposed to be launched last spring.

Welcome to the forums, Eddy! Glad to see I have someone to banter with in regards to rinks in Saint John!

Firstly, because our city has no money whatsoever, and because the money we don't currently have is being spent on a palais and Peel Plaza, that's that.

In an ideal world, if we did have money, I wouldn't mind Rockwood for new arenas. However, there would be plenty of people upset about cutting trees down and destroying the environment and such. Also, people get murdered in Rockwood Park.

People around City Hall like to go on about making the LBR a four-sheet surface, which is easily the worst idea I have ever heard in my life. The LBR is old, would need massive retrofitting, and there's no room for three more surfaces. Place 400 is too nearby, and there's no parking. An older arena like that is not meant to be doubled, tripled, or quadrupled. They tried doing this in Dieppe and it failed miserably.

Part of the problem is that we are unsure on demand for local hockey and figure skating. With a (near) falling population, it would seem unfeasible to build new buildings for people who won't be using them. That is to say, there's more demand for hockey in the Valley than there is in the city. The QPlex really should have been a double rink. (On the same note, Hampton and Sussex could use more arenas, but that's another thing)

As for Saint John: I would rather see a new double or triple ice surface arena built. None of the arenas in Saint John are really proper for doubling. There's no room around the Hurley/LBR/Belyea/Murray. Which leaves the Gorman. I've heard of people proposing this, but what they seem to forget is that there is a very large swamp next to the arena. Obviously, we don't mind building things on unstable areas in Saint John (Harbour Station?), but to spend that much money and effort on something would be equivalent to shooting yourself in the foot. Again, something we seem to be familiar with!

The new building at Exhibition Raceway doesn't seem to have an arena in mind, which is understandable. Ideally the only real places to construct a large multi-surface arena would be one of 1)Somewhere in Millidgeville 2)Rockwood or 3)Somewhere out East. I really can't think of a very, very good area at this point.

[MonctonRad]

My eldest son played hockey and we would go to SJ quite frequently for tournaments. I agree that the rinks in SJ leave a lot to be desired.

Your infrastructure definitely needs to be upgraded. A 4-Ice complex like in Moncton may not be feasible given the geographic realities of your city however. Maybe you would be better off doing what Freddy did and building two different 2-Ice facilities, one on the east side and one on the west.

[Eddy]

Thanks! I've been trolling for some time.. this is no doubt the best pro-development group of citizens I've come across online.

Agreed, we have no money. We have fancy bus stations, a new parking garage, a new police station, new courts, 2 cruise ship terminals. Great. But lets get back to reasons for raising my kids inside city limits.

Rockwood Park, in my mind, is a growing focal point of leisure. We golf there, hike there, swim there. Why not skate there (in arenas, not just on the lake)

Regardless of location, however, we need more ice. Both hockey and figure skating families & coaches have complained that we simply cannot offer our young athletes the time they need to excel in their sport.

[philster]

Too Bad they couldn't have added an ice surface to the new YMCA specs However I don't think there are any YMCA's out there with an Ice Surface.

[JHikka]

Originally Posted by philster

Too Bad they couldn't have added an ice surface to the new YMCA specs However I don't think there are any YMCA's out there with an Ice Surface.

You get into logistics in regards to using YMCAs with registered hockey associations and businesses and such. It would be a messy situation to try and sort out. I'm sure you could have a general ice surface but it would have to be non-affiliated with any association and be used purely for those playing recreationally on their own. At that point it becomes very costly if you're not charging for ice-times.