Official Fredericton, NB projects thread - Page 408

JHikka · #**8141** Posted **Sep 19, 2016, 5:44 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Freddypop

I for one don't mind a 3 medium sized city province. Each is unique in its own right and offers citizens more options as to where they can live and still have relatively easy access to amenities. I much prefer NB's situation than that of NS where the province continues to empty out at the expense of Halifax.

It's a discussion better suited to the Statistics thread but Rural NB, especially Northern NB, is emptying out just as much and as quickly as rural NS. There are plenty of numbers to back this up. Having one large or three medium cities doesn't make a difference in this trend.

Taeolas · #**8142** Posted **Sep 19, 2016, 5:51 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by JHikka

It's a discussion better suited to the Statistics thread but Rural NB, especially Northern NB, is emptying out just as much and as quickly as rural NS. There are plenty of numbers to back this up. Having one large or three medium cities doesn't make a difference in this trend.

Considering we have such a good pair of examples in the Maritimes, I wonder if it might be worth having a discussion thread here (or in the Canada section) discussing the Pros and Cons of 2-3 cities (NB) vs 1 major city (NS).

Personally, I like having 3 major (for our region) cities; especially since each city has a pretty distinct look and flavour, with different strengths and weaknesses. Sure we suffer due to all the duplicated services (a situation further exasperated by the lingual duplicity in the Province; we should have called the province New Xerox for all the duplicity we have

), but now that Freddy is coming into its own, it can potentially draw more attention to NB. Or at least we can hope as much going into the future.

I do have to wonder a bit; if NB were to have tried to have 1 dominant city, how could we have gotten there, and which one would it have been? SJ and Freddy both have historical roots that would be hard to yank up, and Moncton has the ideal hub position for serving the Maritimes in general. Sussex is midway from all of them, but by the time it is feasible (when Highways/the Car society taking off), the Tricities are all already well established.

Franco401 · #**8143** Posted **Sep 19, 2016, 7:03 PM**

RE Kingswood I'm excited for the project but it's unfortunate that Kingswood is located outside the city limits.

Taeolas · #**8144** Posted **Sep 19, 2016, 7:14 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Franco401

RE Kingswood I'm excited for the project but it's unfortunate that Kingswood is located outside the city limits.

Intentional on Kingswood's part I'm sure; so they only have to pay LSD level taxes instead of city level taxes.

I'm sure the City would love to have all those building permits and taxable lands on their side of the border; but it's not happening. And Hanwell itself is feeling its oats and has decided not to chip in on the new Playhouse.

My gut feel is that there will be a bit more antagonism between the City and the LSD in the future.

OliverD · #**8145** Posted **Sep 19, 2016, 7:25 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Franco401

RE Kingswood I'm excited for the project but it's unfortunate that Kingswood is located outside the city limits.

Actually, the clubhouse, northeast corner of the existing Kingswood building, and much of the golf course is located within city limits.

But it's true that the new developments are outside of the city.

cj6286 · #**8146** Posted **Sep 19, 2016, 7:30 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Taeolas

Considering we have such a good pair of examples in the Maritimes, I wonder if it might be worth having a discussion thread here (or in the Canada section) discussing the Pros and Cons of 2-3 cities (NB) vs 1 major city (NS).

Personally, I like having 3 major (for our region) cities; especially since each city has a pretty distinct look and flavour, with different strengths and weaknesses. Sure we suffer due to all the duplicated services (a situation further exasperated by the lingual duplicity in the Province; we should have called the province New Xerox for all the duplicity we have

), but now that Freddy is coming into its own, it can potentially draw more attention to NB. Or at least we can hope as much going into the future.

I do have to wonder a bit; if NB were to have tried to have 1 dominant city, how could we have gotten there, and which one would it have been? SJ and Freddy both have historical roots that would be hard to yank up, and Moncton has the ideal hub position for serving the Maritimes in general. Sussex is midway from all of them, but by the time it is feasible (when Highways/the Car society taking off), the Tricities are all already well established.

That reminds me when there was a debate about a Maritime Union. Interesting idea and it does make sense, but I don't see it happening any time soon. Where would the capital be? There are instances in history where capitals were uprooted to different locations. For instance, the Brazilian capital was moved to Brasilia and Belize's capital was moved to Belmopan. Can you imagine the massive amount of work?

It raises a lot of issues, but I like the Maritimes the way they are. Each province and city has its own unique style and culture.

OliverD · #**8147** Posted **Sep 19, 2016, 7:43 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by cj6286

It raises a lot of issues, but I like the Maritimes the way they are. Each province and city has its own unique style and culture.

I'd also guess that NS and PEI would have little interest in becoming bilingual.

Taeolas · #**8148** Posted **Sep 19, 2016, 9:42 PM**

So Facebook is buzzing this afternoon since Freddy got mentioned in a national article... for one of the ugliest buildings in Canada. (Warning stupid autoplay video). They dinged Kings Place for being

Quote:

If it were possible for a parking garage and sterile modernist hospital building to have some sort of architectural love child, Kings Place Mall would be it.

Personally, I get the feeling they were just looking for some building in the maritimes to give it a coast to coast feel; but as many FB posters are noting, while it could use a facelift and an updated look, it isn't the ugliest building around.

Freddypop · #**8149** Posted **Sep 20, 2016, 12:06 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Taeolas

My gut feel is that there will be a bit more antagonism between the City and the LSD in the future.

Not sure about that. I listened to the Councillor from Hanwell defend their decision this AM on CBC. It was basically bad timing for the request and the fact that only a small percentage of residents use the facility..~3%. The Village is currently investing in other infrastructure ie new Firehall, etc. Said if this had of been received a couple of years down the road the answer might have been different.

Having said that I think there will be support for the YFC exspansion and the new Aquatic Centre once those two items move forward for funding support from the city. The Aquatic Centre would likely follow along the terms of the arenas..inside and outside resident fees for use.

JHikka · #**8150** Posted **Sep 20, 2016, 12:59 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Freddypop

Not sure about that. I listened to the Councillor from Hanwell defend their decision this AM on CBC. It was basically bad timing for the request and the fact that only a small percentage of residents use the facility..~3%. The Village is currently investing in other infrastructure ie new Firehall, etc. Said if this had of been received a couple of years down the road the answer might have been different.

Would love to know how they got these figures. According to StatsCan, over 87% of workforce commuters in Kingsclear Parish (Hanwell) commute into Fredericton for work. Given that percentage I highly doubt only 3% use the Playhouse.

OliverD · #**8151** Posted **Sep 20, 2016, 1:01 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by JHikka

Would love to know how they got these figures. According to StatsCan, over 87% of workforce commuters in Kingsclear Parish (Hanwell) commute into Fredericton for work.

What bearing does that have on how many people use the Playhouse?

OliverD · #**8152** Posted **Sep 20, 2016, 1:06 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Freddypop

The Aquatic Centre would likely follow along the terms of the arenas.

You mean separate northside and southside facilities?

JHikka · #**8153** Posted **Sep 20, 2016, 1:07 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by OliverD

What bearing does that have on how many people use the Playhouse?

Logic would indicate that if 80%+ of residents in Kingsclear are working in Fredericton that odds are a good number of them are also utilizing services provided by the City of Fredericton without contributing property taxes or any other formal funding.

Saint John has a regional structure in place so that all of its surrounding suburbs do provide some funding to regional facilities (Harbour Station, Imperial Theatre, Aquatic Centre, etc.). It only seems fair that outlying residents of Fredericton would provide similar funding without leeching off of the taxpayers of Fredericton and the Province of New Brunswick to pay for their infrastructure, services, and etc. It's the same issue Sussex ran into with Sussex Corner when the latter refused to provide funding for the 8th Hussars Centre. A dialogue began revolving around charging non-Sussex residents a higher fee for services at the Centre which is supported and located within the former.

kirjtc2 · #**8154** Posted **Sep 20, 2016, 1:13 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Taeolas

Personally, I get the feeling they were just looking for some building in the maritimes to give it a coast to coast feel; but as many FB posters are noting, while it could use a facelift and an updated look, it isn't the ugliest building around.

It's not even the ugliest building downtown. The Centennial Building? That... thing... on top of the Playhouse?

mylesmalley · #**8155** Posted **Sep 20, 2016, 1:59 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Taeolas

So Facebook is buzzing this afternoon since Freddy got mentioned in a national article... for one of the ugliest buildings in Canada. (Warning stupid autoplay video). They dinged Kings Place for being

Personally, I get the feeling they were just looking for some building in the maritimes to give it a coast to coast feel; but as many FB posters are noting, while it could use a facelift and an updated look, it isn't the ugliest building around.

Kings Place isn't great, but I can think of all kinds of buildings that are uglier - Terminal Plaza in Moncton, for one.

The granddaddy of them all though has to be Casino New Brunswick: the hideous result of someone who's only inspiration is Pizza Hut and a rough description of what a lighthouse is supposed to look like.

trev71 · #**8156** Posted **Sep 20, 2016, 11:23 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by mylesmalley

Kings Place isn't great, but I can think of all kinds of buildings that are uglier - Terminal Plaza in Moncton, for one.

The granddaddy of them all though has to be Casino New Brunswick: the hideous result of someone who's only inspiration is Pizza Hut and a rough description of what a lighthouse is supposed to look like.

If we are tossing out ugly buildings in Moncton how about the Moncton Coliseum, that looks pretty ratty doesn't even really look like a hockey arena

Taeolas · #**8157** Posted **Sep 20, 2016, 11:33 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by kirjtc2

It's not even the ugliest building downtown. The Centennial Building? That... thing... on top of the Playhouse?

I get the feeling that when they were writing that post (it is HuffPo after all) the author figured "I need a Maritime city to be 'balanced' and hit Google street view and grabbed the first building he could find basically. King's Place is such an unnotable building in general, I'm surprised anyone outside the city (or at least outside NB) would be aware of it, let alone aware of it enough to pick it as the ugliest.

Twinkies · #**8158** Posted **Sep 20, 2016, 2:32 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by OliverD

You mean separate northside and southside facilities?

Don't start OliverD

Twinkies · #**8159** Posted **Sep 20, 2016, 2:37 PM**

The water park is great for the Fredericton area.

Freddypop · #**8160** Posted **Sep 20, 2016, 2:57 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Franco401

RE Kingswood I'm excited for the project but it's unfortunate that Kingswood is located outside the city limits.

Difficult to assemble the required amount of land in and urban area at a price that makes sense for the proponent. Although Kingswood sits on the periphery of the city the benefits will be immense. Those that visit that facility will also partake of the amenities within the Capital ie restaurants, theaters, shopping, etc while they enjoy their time at the water park. And because it is indoors it has the ability to attract year round. I can picture a person doing business in Freddy deciding to take the family along for a couple of days and put them up at the new Kingswood hotel while he/she attends to business in town. They afford themselves of the amenities of kingswood during the day and of Freddy for supper and shopping in the evening or weekends