The Official Moncton, NB Project Thread

[mylesmalley]

Originally Posted by stu_pendousmat2

haha yeah...might look out of place for a while, but soon maybe not.

You're right. Moncton doesn't have a history of having one or two buildings towering over the rest of downtown :p

[mmmatt]

Originally Posted by HalifaxMtl666

So true and It could be the higher building since Blue Cross in term of number of story. It`s closed to home, I will looking for the promoters of that project, I saw that really quickly, I`m back in a few.

Blue Cross is 9 storys.

Since then (1988)

There has been (in terms of over 5 stories)...

Year--Height---Name

1996--6 story--Moncton City Hall

1996--6 story--Moncton Place

2003--6 story--Chateau Moncton

2006--6 story--Belmar Plaza

2008--6 story--Marriott

And Im pretty sure Royal Court is newer...and its 6 storys as well

[mylesmalley]

Originally Posted by stu_pendousmat2

Blue Cross is 9 storys.

Since then (1988)

There has been (in terms of over 5 stories)...

Year--Height---Name

1996--6 story--Moncton City Hall

1996--6 story--Moncton Place

2003--6 story--Chateau Moncton

2006--6 story--Belmar Plaza

2008--6 story--Marriott

And Im pretty sure Royal Court is newer...and its 6 storys as well

Where's this Belmar Plaza?

Also, Royal Court had to have been built before 1999/2000 or so. I had a relative there for a while around then.

[ErickMontreal]

The project is called "Evangeline Place". Its a 6-story multi-use project as high as Moncton city hall. There are seven condos for sale and one of these is already sold. The project looks a bit boxy but its quite great for Dieppe perspective. I really dont know the status though

[ErickMontreal]

Originally Posted by mylesmalley

I agree the city could use some more creativity with its architecture. Before they built that office building next to AOL, the architect was interviewed by the T&T. They asked him why so many buildings looked the same and cost the bare minimum. He basically pointed out that its all about economics.

It costs a lot of money to have spheroid shaped art-deco office buildings coated in glass and brushed metal. The buildings with the more striking architecture tend to be higher income properties like white-collar condos and large corporate offices (Blue Cross). Moncton is very much a middle class city, so we shouldn't really expect to see high class stuff going up all over.

Very well said. We should keep in our mind as Myles said that Moncton is a middle-class city with a medium size population. I mean for the city size Moncton has a decent downtown as well as skyline.

[mmmatt]

Originally Posted by mylesmalley

Where's this Belmar Plaza?

Also, Royal Court had to have been built before 1999/2000 or so. I had a relative there for a while around then.

Mountain Rd

[ErickMontreal]

Originally Posted by stu_pendousmat2

Mountain Rd

I really like this one, I would like to see a couples of these in inner city.

[ErickMontreal]

Originally Posted by stu_pendousmat2

we just need:

Convention center/hotel/casino
new police station
new courthouse
new condos
new assumption tower
etc...to all be built (some are a sure thing...others are a good possibility) in that area

In the best world :

Convention center/hotel/casino :: Could stat end 2008
new police station :: Really don`t know
new courthouse :: This spring for sure
new condos :: hard to say
new assumption tower :: Still on board.

[mmmatt]

I like to keep a little colour on every new page of this forum...so heres some views of Moncton I found on a roam around Flickr.

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Some interesting views we dont see often perhaps...from lacasse on Flickr







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Some cool pics of the Capitol from mazecanadia on Flickr

Interior


Man was it ugly before restoration :S looks 100% better now!

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Some random pics from marcline on Flickr



Heres a current view of the Capitol...much better


Relay for life in Centennial park

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A couple from Brikwall on Flickr

Old rink...burned down a very long time ago...makes for some sweet looking ruins though!



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[JasonL-Moncton]

It would be cool if they 'restored' that old circular rink...

I live near Belmar Plaza and that is a gorgeous building...a little out of place...but not as out of place as the one down by Sounds Fantastic (don't know if it has a name).

[mylesmalley]

Originally Posted by JasonL-Moncton

It would be cool if they 'restored' that old circular rink...

I live near Belmar Plaza and that is a gorgeous building...a little out of place...but not as out of place as the one down by Sounds Fantastic (don't know if it has a name).

You mean the big orange one? It looked out of place when it first went up, but now that there are buildings of equal height all around it, I think it looks pretty good. It's funny. Gordon street, by between Vaughan Harvey and the train tracks is one of my favorite parts of Moncton, yet it's also one of the most run down...

[mmmatt]

Originally Posted by mylesmalley

You mean the big orange one? It looked out of place when it first went up, but now that there are buildings of equal height all around it, I think it looks pretty good. It's funny. Gordon street, by between Vaughan Harvey and the train tracks is one of my favorite parts of Moncton, yet it's also one of the most run down...

I agree...I live right around there (other side of Vaughn Harvey though) and I think that orange building has actually grown on me...Ive walked by it a few times and I seem to like it more and more each time.

[mmmatt]

By Yvon Gauvin
Times & Transcript staff
Published Tuesday December 11th, 2007
Appeared on page C2

Single residential construction starts remained unchanged for Moncton in November over the previous year but the number of multiple units jumped significantly at 67 compared to 37 in November 2006.

The number of single starts, at 37, was also virtually unchanged from October's total of 36.

Province-wide, the number of housing starts in major urban centres trailed behind last year with 231 units last month compared to 244 in November 2006, according to preliminary figures released by Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation.

"Although single starts remained strong, fewer multiples in November led to the overall decline for the month", explained Claude Gautreau, CMHC's Senior Market Analyst for New Brunswick.

There were 136 single residence starts in new Brunswick urban centres last month, up 9 units from last year, with both Saint John and Fredericton reporting increases over last year and Moncton unchanged at 37.

However, the total number of multiple units dropped from 117 in November 2006 to 93 last month, while the year-to-date totals dropped from 1,300 last year to 1,213 this year.

The strong single unit showing managed to offset the decline in multiple starts on a year-to-date basis, said Gautreau.

Nationally, total housing starts for November in urban centres trailed behind last year's total by three per cent from 17,998 in November 2006 to 17,077 last month.

Single unit starts rose from 7,486 in November 2006 to 8,063 last month while multiple units starts dropped 14 per cent from 10,312 units in November 2006 to 9,012 last month.

In the Atlantic Region, a total of 738 starts were recorded last month compared to 819 in November of 2006.

[ErickMontreal]

Province to fund Mapleton Road widening
Project included in N.B. capital budget, to be tabled today

By Mary Moszynski
Times & Transcript Staff
Published Tuesday December 11th, 2007
Appeared on page A1

FREDERICTON - Finance Minister Victor Boudreau will table what's being billed as the largest capital budget in the province's history this afternoon with funds earmarked for the widening of Mapleton Road and several other key road repairs.

The Times & Transcript has learned the Department of Transportation's 2008-2009 budget will include a project to widen Mapleton Road -- arguably one of Metro Moncton's top road projects.

The details of what the money will be used for won't likely be made available until the Department of Transportation outlines its budget estimates in the coming weeks.

However, a government source said the money will be available this year.

Mapleton Road is becoming the main gateway into Moncton as the area has grown into one of Metro's most popular business development areas.

If Moncton's works budget passes as is, the city will set aside $5.5 million this year to widen the road from Trinity Drive to Highway 2, the Trans-Canada Highway.

The provincial government has previously committed $3 million to the project, as well as another $3 million for the bridge over Wheeler Boulevard.

The capital budget will also include funds to fix the ruts on 27 kilometres of Route 15 between Moncton and Shediac. The road is considered hazardous and the deep ruts cause motorists to hydroplane during rainfall, forcing drivers to straddle the yellow line to avoid potholes.

As well, 24 kilometres of Route 126 between Miramichi and Moncton will be paved in the areas most in need of repair, said the source.

Premier Shawn Graham has said the Department of Transportation will develop a new system of determining which roads are in need of repair, promising to take the "politics out of paving."

Last year the Liberal government cut the transportation budget by $60 million.

Metro Moncton residents will also be looking to see what long-awaited projects will receive funds from the education budget.

Although the specifics of the education department's budget will be unveiled at a later date, Metro parents will likely be anxious to see whether Moncton will receive a new north end school.

Significant renovations to Moncton High School are also a top priority for parents, as well as the multi-million renovations for Ecolé Clément-Courmier in Bouctouche announced Friday in a speech by Graham.

Another priority for the city has been a new jail, as promised by the former Conservative government.

Public Safety Minister John Foran has yet to confirm whether money to continue planning for the jail will be included in Boudreau's capital budget.

It's also unknown whether funds will be included for a catheterization laboratory for Metro Moncton. The Liberals had promised to establish a "cath lab" in the city by 2008.

In January, Health Minister Mike Murphy announced the lab would be located at the Dr. Georges-L.-Dumont Regional Hospital and jointly managed by the Beauséjour and South-East Regional health authorities, but the process to establish the lab wouldn't be set in motion until the 2008-2009 fiscal year, and only if "the numbers warrant it."
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Dieppe city council unveils municipal plan
Public comment invited on final draft of document

By Aloma Jardine
Times & Transcript Staff
Published Tuesday December 11th, 2007
Appeared on page A3

It's been six years in the making, but Dieppe's new municipal plan is in the home stretch.

The revised plan was presented to the public at city council's regular meeting Monday night.

The 164-page document covers every aspect of the city's future development, from culture and heritage to industrial development.

Dieppe Mayor Achille Maillet says he's very pleased with the result.

"It is a guide for us, not only to continue the economic growth, but to make sure development in Dieppe is done in a very appropriate kind of way," he says.

One of the main aims of the new plan is to manage Dieppe's tremendous growth.

"The city has done a great job of investing in infrastructure over the last few years, opening up new areas. Now that they've made those investments, I think they have to sit back and let development take off," says Bill Budd, executive director of the Greater Moncton Planning District Commission. "They've got a game plan that addresses the environment, active living, recreation, residential, downtown... It is all coming together and this plan will help guide that for the next five to ten years."

The city has the luxury of creating from the ground up. It is in the process of building a downtown and development on Dieppe Boulevard is really just getting started.

One aspect of the plan calls for the creation of "walkable neighbourhoods" -- areas along Dieppe Boulevard that will contain a mix of residential and commercial development so residents have the most necessary goods and services within walking distance.

"You will almost have mini downtown areas," Budd says. "It is living, recreating, and working in the same area."

In the downtown area, the plan is to encourage higher density development, with buildings between two and five-storeys high.

The city also wants to see high quality building design, with windows and public entrances facing the street, and is encouraging the use of quality materials like brick, stone, and wood.

Single family and two-unit dwellings will no longer be permitted on Champlain Street, which has been designated a mixed use area. Residential units will continue to be permitted on the upper floors of commercial buildings.

Residents now have 30 days to offer their comments about the plan, which is available online at www.dieppe.ca. Copies are also available to view at Dieppe city hall and the Greater Moncton Planning District Commission office, 655 Main St.

Budd will return to council Jan. 14 with a report on the comments received and a date will be set for a public hearing on any concerns raised.
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Gunningsville Rd. traffic lights on by Christmas


The three sets of traffic lights for Gunningsville Boulevard will be installed at Pine Glen Road, Findlay Boulevard and Pinder Road.

TIMES & TRANSCRIPT STAFF
Published Tuesday December 11th, 2007
Appeared on page A4

The long-awaited traffic lights for Gunningsville Boulevard should be up and running by Christmas, Riverview's director of Public Works promised last night.

"The lights are here but we've been waiting for the poles, and they should be here tomorrow," Ken Sharpe said following last night's meeting of Riverview Town Council. "We hope to have the lights on for Christmas."

The three sets of traffic lights will be installed on Gunningsville Boulevard at Pine Glen Road, Findlay Boulevard and Pinder Road.

Work on the new road has been ongoing for several months and all but complete, except for the traffic lights.

The road will connect with the new Gunningsville Bridge and Coverdale Road. It will allow traffic to flow up the hill, skirting the golf course and connect with Findlay Boulevard at Whitepine Road.

It is hoped the new road will ease some of the traffic tieups during morning and evening rush hours. Many Riverview residents have been concerned, since the road appears finished but has remained unopened. The town says the road won't be opened until the lights are operational for safety concerns.

Meanwhile, Parks and Recreation director Bob Clive said the new toboggan hill -- which was made with huge piles of dirt left over from the construction of the road -- will also remain closed until it can be completed. Clive said there are too many frozen clumps of dirt and rock in the hill, which could pose a safety hazard until they are smoothed out.

[JasonL-Moncton]

Originally Posted by mylesmalley

You mean the big orange one?

Orange? I thought it was a tan/stone color...the one I'm talking about is anyway...it's huge...with underground parking. In between Bonnacord and Archibald...it's right against the road.

Jason

[mylesmalley]

Originally Posted by JasonL-Moncton

Orange? I thought it was a tan/stone color...the one I'm talking about is anyway...it's huge...with underground parking. In between Bonnacord and Archibald...it's right against the road.

Jason

Tan/orange. Close enough. That's the one I meant. There's a new building right across the street from it, plus a few behind, and further down Gordon St. which are filling in that area nicely.

[ErickMontreal]

Major Drilling profit rises

The Canadian Press

December 11, 2007 at 7:09 AM EST

MONCTON — — Major Drilling Group International Inc., [MDI-T]one of the world's largest metals and minerals contract drilling companies, says its second-quarter profit soared to $22.6-million from a year-ago $13.1-million as revenue jumped 53 per cent to a record level.

Earnings for the quarter ended Oct. 31 rose to 96 cents a share from 57 cents, the Moncton-based global company said Tuesday.

Revenue climbed up to $156.1-million from $101.8-million.

Canada-U.S. revenue increased by 37.1 per cent to $101.3-million, revenue in South and Central America increased by 54.2 per cent to $87.3-million and revenue in Australia, Asia and Africa increased 68.5 per cent to $110.9-million.
Major Drilling Group Intl.

The company acquired two businesses during the quarter: Harris Drilling in Chile and Paragon Drilling in Ecuador.

CEO Francis McGuire said in a release the strong results “were driven by a combination of additional investments in people and equipment, acquisitions and an improved pricing environment.

“This performance was achieved in spite of the effects of the strengthening

Canadian dollar against the U.S. dollar. The unfavourable foreign exchange translation impact, for the quarter, when comparing to the effective rates for the same period last year, is estimated at $9 million on revenue and $1.8 million on net earnings.”

The firm took delivery of 18 new rigs that contributed revenue during the quarter.

“Overall margins continued to improve despite continuing cost increases in labour, training and safety, as well as African margins still lagging behind other regions,” Mr. McGuire said.

“Investment in recruitment and training is crucial to our continuing growth but does affect overall operating margin growth as we incur both additional costs and lower initial productivity with new crews.”

The firm aims to expand its labour force by 20 per cent this year.

The company invested $14.7-million during the quarter in its capital expenditure

program, bringing the total for the year to $29.7-million. It also spent $27.4-million on acquisitions, bringing the total net debt to $23.8-million.

[mmmatt]

Thats so cool! It always amazes me to hear about that company...hard to believe we have "one of the worlds largest" companies in any business based in Moncton. They seem to be doing better and better every year, so good for them! They did build a new hq on St. George street a year ago too

[ErickMontreal]

Originally Posted by stu_pendousmat2

Thats so cool! It always amazes me to hear about that company...hard to believe we have "one of the worlds largest" companies in any business based in Moncton. They seem to be doing better and better every year, so good for them! They did build a new hq on St. George street a year ago too

Yeah thats really cool! . Where was located the former Hd ?

[mylesmalley]

There head office is on Saint George St, at the corner of Botsford (I think). What's really funny about that company is that, even though they're one of the biggest mining companies in the world, their head office is a pretty small building in an okay part of town.

And dont' forget about Spielo. They're one of the largest gambling equipment manufacturers in the world.