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  #1041  
Old Posted May 5, 2009, 12:35 PM
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Tour of convention centre site reassures mayor and premier
Published Tuesday May 5th, 2009
A6
By SHAWN BERRY
berry.shawn@dailygleaner.com

The knowledge that a third fixed crane will soon stand over a Fredericton construction site is reassuring for Mayor Brad Woodside and Premier Shawn Graham.

While talk of tough times is everywhere these days, the city is in the throes of a building boom that's keeping tradespeople working.

One crane is already up at the site of the $50-million Richard J. Currie Center, the athletics and fitness centre being built at the University of New Brunswick. The other is up at the Patience Lane site where Shannex is building a 69-suite retirement home, the first of three buildings going up as part of the company's $30-million first phase.

"I'm glad it's being done during a year that is being called a recession year in North America," Woodside said Monday as he toured the downtown construction site of the $79-million project that will incorporate an office tower, convention centre and parking garage.

"They're going to be putting up a very large crane here soon. I think that is going to be very exciting."

Graham was also reassured by the work.

"Today our province is facing one of the greatest challenges it has ever faced because of the economic downturn," Graham said.

He said he's been watching the convention centre progress from his second-floor office across the street in the Centennial Building.

"This is a much-needed project for the New Brunswick economy," he said, noting that to date, the majority of the work on the project has gone to New Brunswick companies.

More than 9,000 metres of concrete has been poured and about 17,000 is expected once all is said and done.

Any talk of adding a hotel component to the convention centre project is off for now, Woodside said.

"That was looking real, real good until the American economy tanked," he said.

But he's confident that once the convention centre is built, interest will heat up.

Work on the project is expected to ramp up this summer.

There were 38 workers on site Monday morning. That's expected to increase to more than 100 by fall. A crane will go up at the site next month.

Over on Patience Lane, the first of three new buildings is being built for a campus-style retirement community.

About 60 workers were there Monday, but the number is expected to increase to 150 by year's end.

----

Did Fredericton just get Googled?
Published Tuesday May 5th, 2009
A3
By SHAWN BERRY
berry.shawn@dailygleaner.com

Was it here for the view or just in for a pit stop?

No one seems to know, but the sight of a Google Street View car in Fredericton on Monday has people talking.

The black car, equipped with a roof-mounted camera array, was spotted at a Prospect Street gas station as the driver tanked it up.

The car is used for Google Street View, a sometimes controversial tool that lets Internet users go on a virtual jaunt around the streets of cities and tourist attractions.

Street View uses a special 360-degree camera installed on the roof of a vehicle to provide eye-level images on the Internet.

The Internet titan is adding a number of Canadian communities to its mix of featured communities.

Last month, the company's cars were spotted in Halifax. Google said it's also capturing images in Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Montreal, Ottawa, Quebec City, Saint John, Saskatoon, Toronto, and Winnipeg.

Officials at Fredericton city hall said they weren't aware Google was taking pictures in the city, but they said they wouldn't be surprised.

"Is it any wonder they'd be in Fredericton? We're one of the world's Top 7 intelligent communities," said Maurice Gallant, chief information officer for the city.

He was making reference to the fact the city is one of seven international finalists for the title of the Intelligent Community of the Year.

"I had heard ... rumours that they might be interested in recording more street-level information in Eastern Canada, but nothing substantial."

It's often worth the city's while to be included on Google's popular services, he said.

"We've worked with them to ensure they have all the information available," Gallant said.

When the company was preparing its map tool, the city supplied maps of Fredericton.

They worked together again to add the city's transit maps and schedules included as a feature on the Google Maps transit tool.

"Our IT guys were early players with Google Maps, providing them with maps of the city and with Google Transit," said Don Fitzgerald, executive director of strategic initiatives for the city of Fredericton.

Google Street View has also earned its share of criticism from those who say it's intrusive and infringes on their privacy by posting photos of people, cars and homes.

Google replied by saying it will blur the faces of Canadians caught by its lenses.

The debate is fierce though. In early April, residents in the English countryside village of Broughton formed a human chain to turn away a car shooting images for Google Street View.

The Canadian version of Street View is expected to be launched in several cities in the coming weeks.

Faces and licence plates are being blurred out to avoid identifying people or cars. People who object to being shown on the site can also request their image be removed.

The service is already available in cities and rural areas in the U.S., the U.K., Spain, Australia, Japan, France, Italy, the Netherlands and New Zealand.

----

Concrete repairs won't happen soon
Published Tuesday May 5th, 2009
A1
By STEPHEN LLEWELLYN
llewellyn.stephen@dailygleaner.com

There will be no repairs to the crumbling concrete of the aging Princess Margaret Bridge until the end of this year at the earliest, government tender documents show.

Despite a 10-kilogram chunk of concrete breaking off the bridge sidewalk Sunday, tearing through protective netting and crashing onto Lincoln Road - narrowly missing a passing car - only structural steel and roller bearings will be repaired this summer.

The province has allocated $12 million this year for repairs to the bridge.

Norman Clouston, Fredericton district engineer for the Department of Transportation, said Monday concrete rehabilitation is part of Phase 2 of the repairs.

"We would expect maybe late this year there would be some contracts awarded," he said.

"The steel was done first because there was a need to do some strengthening to ensure the integrity of the bridge itself. We want to make sure that from there we can build on this."

There will be no sidewalks on the bridge when the repairs are completed. DOT officials say few people walk on it.

"The bridge when it is completely rehabbed will lose its sidewalks and pedestrian travel on the bridge will be stopped," said Clouston.

"It is going to be widened to allow a little bit more shoulder area and give more clear zone for traffic use on the bridge.''

Once all the repairs are done, the life of the bridge is projected to be another 50 years.

----

'Close the bridge'
Published Tuesday May 5th, 2009
Danger? | Piece of concrete falls from Fredericton bridge
A1
By STEPHEN LLEWELLYN
llewellyn.stephen@dailygleaner.com

The Princess Margaret Bridge should be closed immediately until $12-million worth of repairs to its steel and concrete are complete, says Opposition Public Safety critic Carl Urquhart.

He made the call Monday after a 10-kilogram chunk of concrete fell off the bridge Sunday around 11 p.m. It tore through protective netting and narrowly missed a car travelling on Lincoln Road.

"People could have got killed there last night," said the Tory MLA for York, who's also a former police officer. "I think it has got to a point where, yes, the thing has to be shut down until the public has been convinced without a doubt that it's safe.

"If something happens (and someone is killed or injured) where are we?" asked Urquhart.

He said he isn't playing politics or fear-mongering by calling for the closure of the bridge.

"Before you come out and make a comment, you have got to think it out and it has got to be completely in the best interest of the public," said Urquhart. "The only reason not to close that bridge is inconvenience to the public.

"You are balancing out public safety with the inconvenience to the public. Shut it down."

Const. Ralph Currie, spokesman for the Fredericton Police Force, said police received a call about the falling concrete soon after 11 p.m. Sunday.

"A lady had reported a relatively large piece of concrete had fallen from the bridge and ... it just missed her daughter's car," he said Monday. "We responded. There was debris on the road.

"The officer reported there were several pieces of concrete varying in size."

Some of the pieces were five inches in thickness and various lengths, said Currie.

He said the Department of Transportation was called and the road was closed until the debris was cleaned up. He said he didn't have any information on how long the road was closed.

Norman Clouston, Fredericton district engineer for the Department of Transportation, said Monday the concrete came from the downriver side of the bridge's sidewalk and broke through protective netting that wraps that portion of the bridge.

"We are not quite sure what caused the breakage (of the protective netting)," he said. "We have added some additional straps to ensure it is tied in place.

"The public should be assured that it is safe and we will be monitoring it to ensure it doesn't happen again."

Clouston said DOT repair crews spent about 2.5 hours at the bridge Sunday night doing repairs and assessing the situation.

Last fall, the Liberal government reduced the weight limit allowed on the bridge and announced $12 million has been allocated for repairs this year.

Earlier this year, The Daily Gleaner used right-to-information legislation to get copies of engineering reports that show there are serious problems with the bridge's structural steel and concrete.

The report said the steel holding up the sidewalks is so corroded that it could collapse if a vehicle mounts the curb.

It also said the concrete may suffer from alkali silica reaction, the same flaw that has troubled the Mactaquac dam, and can cause concrete to crumble.

Urquhart said the Liberal government has done a poor job of keeping the public informed about the true state of the bridge.

"There are reports out there that we know have been done by reputable firms that have been buried so far that the only way you get them is through right-to-information."

Urquhart said he won't drive on the bridge or even under it. He also said he has heard that DOT employees won't use the bridge until it's repaired.

"I have even talked to ambulance people who have a concern about it.''

Urquhart said he's worried about the sidewalks.

"I wouldn't even be allowing people to walk on that bridge because something is going to go," he said.

Transportation Minister Denis Landry couldn't be reached for comment late Monday.

But earlier in the day, Premier Shawn Graham insisted the Princess Margaret Bridge is safe.

"If the Princess Margaret Bridge was unsafe, it would be closed," Graham said. "Fortunately, no one was injured (by the falling concrete).

"I understand the engineers are looking at why the netting failed and are putting up new netting."

Graham said the province has fast-tracked work to help restore the structure.

"We moved quickly to put a rehabilitation plan in place for the bridge.''

Mayor Brad Woodside said he trusts the Department of Transportation about the state of the bridge and the repair work to be done.

"I am aware of the incident," he said about the fallen concrete. "I am sure they were as surprised as anybody else and I am sure they are taking the necessary action to ensure the safety of the motoring public.''
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  #1042  
Old Posted May 6, 2009, 8:49 PM
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Costco

Anyone hear when Costco construction is due to start?
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  #1043  
Old Posted May 6, 2009, 9:48 PM
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I think it is supposed to start sometime this month, I originally heard may 1st but i think the approval process was delayed a couple weeks, because that date was based on the third reading being on April 14, instead of the 27th, so it will likely start soon. It also says on the Riocan site that it will be mostly complete by the third quarter of 2009, however,I find it unlikely it will be open before the end of the year.
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  #1044  
Old Posted May 7, 2009, 11:28 AM
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From trains to buses?
Published Thursday May 7th, 2009
Old station | Site pitched as new home for bus line
A1
By MICHAEL STAPLES
staples.michael@dailygleaner.com

If a creative idea for Fredericton's York Street train station is accepted, it may have new life as a transportation hub, but not as it pertains to trains.

Lewis Morgan, a member of Transport 2000 Atlantic, a group that promotes the advancement and development of public transportation, believes the property should be redeveloped so that it can be used by Acadian Bus Lines.

The company is looking to move from its location at 101 Regent St.

"It would be lovely to have that site returned to its original intended use," Morgan said Wednesday.

Group Orleans Express, the company that owns Acadian Bus Lines, confirmed earlier this month that it was looking for a new home.

Manon Piche, the company's vice-president of marketing, sales and communications, said the firm is only interested in leasing property from someone else and isn't interested in buying the train station and the land it's on.

"If there's a developer that comes to us and says, 'Here is a project we have (and) here is the long-term lease you would have to pay to be here,' then it's a question of whether (it) fits with our budget constraints."

If that happens, Piche said, then it's worth looking at it.

"I look at everything; I look at all alternatives."

Piche said the company needs to have enough space for its buses and a location that's convenient for customers.

Morgan said the York Street site would give Acadian the space it needs, while providing ample parking.

The York Street train station, constructed in 1923, is protected under federal heritage legislation that bars owners J.D. Irving Ltd. from tearing it down. The cost of restoring the structure is about $2 million.

While J.D. Irving Ltd. couldn't be reached for comment Wednesday, the company has said it isn't feasible to do that work without a major development.

J.D. Irving Ltd. wants to redevelop the station as part of a commercial or office project. Bringing the one-time station back to life is a requirement for development of the surrounding land.

Company officials in recent years have talked with developers, potential tenants and even signed a letter of sale after being offered $1. So far, however, nothing has materialized.

Morgan said the transformation into a bus station could be done while preserving the rail bed, and maintaining the building's original appearance.

Because of its rapidly decaying state - and the city's need for a new bus station - a decision on the building's future should be made as soon as possible, Morgan said.

Steve Boyko, president of Fredericton Friends of the Railway, also feels the York Street site would be a great location for the bus station.

"It's not far from downtown (and) there's good road access,'' said Boyko. "Also, it's in keeping with the theme of the station as a transportation centre."

In order for it to work, however, there would have to be some level of government involvement, Boyko said.

Alex Forbes, director of development services for the city, said his initial response to the idea is that it wouldn't be the best utilization for "an extremely valuable property."

"It certainly could work for that use, but a lot of other uses have been tried on that property that are much more substantive," Forbes said.

"The upgrade to the train station is significant. Any type of an operation like Acadian doesn't need really expensive space."

Forbes said Acadian has an application going later this month to the city's planning advisory committee pertaining to a location on Woodside Lane, off Hanwell Road.

"From the city's point of view, we would ideally like to have them downtown because people want to get dropped off downtown. But it's easier said than done because it's hard to find the property downtown where you can get all of the conditions to accommodate them."
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  #1045  
Old Posted May 7, 2009, 2:49 PM
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Obviously they must read these boards
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Old Posted May 8, 2009, 12:48 PM
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N.S. firm has low bid
Published Friday May 8th, 2009
Work | Company manager expects 18 to 25 people will be working on bridge
A1
By STEPHEN LLEWELLYN
llewellyn.stephen@dailygleaner.com

The contract for the first phase of repairs to the Princess Margaret Bridge has been awarded and work is expected to start in two weeks.

Dave Oulton, founder and general manager of Marid Industries Ltd. of Windsor Junction, N.S., won the contract.

He said his company has done similar repair work on major bridges.

"We've done a fair amount of work on both the Halifax and Dartmouth bridges," he said. "That's the reason why it was attractive to us and the reason we thought we had expertise."

The 26-year-old company has also repaired the Black River railway bridge in Nova Scotia, built 25 schools in that province and refitted canal locks in the Strait of Canso.

The Princess Margaret Bridge contract involves repairs to structural steel and the replacement of 22 roller bearings, each weighing about 360 kilograms (800 pounds).

Roller bearings connect the bridge to its piers.

Marid Industries was the low bidder on the project at $2.98 million, said Department of Transportation spokesman Andrew Holland on Thursday.

The DOT estimate for the project was $3.13 million. The overall value of the first phase of the repairs, including the engineering work done in advance by DOT was $3.4 million, he said.

There were three other bidders. MQM Quality Manufacturing Ltd. of Tracadie-Sheila bid $3.7 million and Dunbar Construction Ltd. of Fredericton pegged the job at $8.1 million, said Holland.

A fourth company's bid was rejected because the tender submission didn't have the necessary bid bond included, he said.

The first phase of repairs doesn't include any renovations to the concrete.

A 10-kilogram piece of concrete broke off the bridge Sunday night and fell onto Lincoln Road, narrowly missing a passing vehicle.

Oulton said he heard about the falling concrete. But he said the condition of the concrete won't complicate his repair efforts.

"I walked across that sidewalk a couple of weeks ago before the tender closed," he said. "The edges of the sidewalk are deteriorated somewhat.

"I am surprised that a piece of concrete fell off. I didn't think it was that bad."

Oulton said he will be sitting down with DOT officials soon to discuss scheduling.

"We have done our preliminary schedule. We think that we will have somewhere between 18 and 25 people all together working on the bridge when we get going at it."

Oulton said his company will do a good job and he hopes "the people of Fredericton will think we are not all that bad for shutting the bridge down once in a while."

The company has about 125 employees and $30 million a year in revenues, he said.

Transportation Minister Denis Landry said the Princess Margaret Bridge is a vital structure for the region.

"My department is taking a co-ordinated approach to rehabilitate this 52-year-old bridge so that it will continue to serve motorists for a long time," he said.

Landry said officials from his department will be meeting with representatives from Marid Industries to identify three, 20-day closures of the bridge for the repairs.

"We feel these dates are important so bridge users, emergency responders, area businesses, employers and tourism stakeholders may receive advance notice," said Landry.

Other than those 60 days, the bridge will remain open between 6:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m.

The deadline for completion of Phase 1 is Oct. 30.

There's a $5,000 penalty per day if the work isn't done on time.

Landry said the contract for Phase 2 of the repairs will be awarded in late summer or early fall.

That work will include deck and guard rail replacement, the removal of sidewalks, pier rehabilitation, sandblasting and painting.

The province has budgeted $12 million for repairs to the bridge this year.

Landry also announced the province has awarded two separate contracts to Springhill Construction Ltd. of Fredericton worth $4.58 million to pave 16.5 kilometres of road in the capital region.

----

Fredericton named to list of Top 10 places to live in Canada
Published Friday May 8th, 2009
A3
By The Daily Gleaner

Fredericton has been named one of the 10 best places to live in Canada for a third straight year.

Fredericton finished seventh in the survey of 154 Canadian cities by MoneySense Magazine.

According to the magazine, Fredericton benefits from two characteristics shared by several of the Top 10 cities: government and students.

Those factors are reasons for low unemployment and high incomes. According to the survey, house prices are the 12th most affordable in the nation, yet average household incomes are among the highest in the Maritimes.

Communities are ranked on climate, particularly the number of days above freezing, housing, prosperity, lifestyle and general "buzz" related to various types of attractions.

Victoria and Ottawa retained the top two spots. Kingston, Ont., finished third.

"We are thrilled to add another accolade to our growing list of achievements," said Mayor Brad Woodside.

"I can speak on behalf of my council colleagues when I say we are committed to providing our residents with world-class infrastructure like Fred-eZone (the city's free, wi-fi network), and further enhancing the quality of life we so enjoy in Fredericton with facilities like the new sport complexes, swimming pools, fire station and training centre, conference centre and parking structure."

Burlington, Ont., ranked fourth, Vancouver ranked fifth and Moncton earned sixth place. Winnipeg, Peterborough, Ont., and Brandon, Man., rounded out the Top 10.
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  #1047  
Old Posted May 8, 2009, 7:03 PM
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Bit slow to the game, aren't they? That survey came out two weeks ago.
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  #1048  
Old Posted May 9, 2009, 2:27 PM
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Weather, soft demand combine to slow construction season
Published Saturday May 9th, 2009
A5
By STEPHEN LLEWELLYN
llewellyn.stephen@dailygleaner.com

Fredericton had the strongest urban residential construction sector in New Brunswick in the first third of 2009, in terms of percentage increases.

But the capital dropped in the construction of single detached residences for the year to date.

There were 114 single and multiple residential housing starts in Fredericton by the end of April, up 50 per cent compared to the same period last year, according to the latest data from Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp.

Moncton had 88 residential housing starts, down 38 per cent, and Saint John had 195 starts, down 13.3 per cent.

Fredericton's strength was in multiple-unit developments, with 73 multiple units started by the end of April compared to six for April 2008.

Fredericton had 41 single detached housing starts in the first four months of the year, compared to 70 for the same period last year.

Moncton had 32 single detached residential starts, down 45.8 per cent, and 56 multiples, down 32.5 per cent.

Saint John had 63 single starts, down 41.1 per cent, and 132 multiples, up 11.9 per cent.

Claude Gautreau, senior market analyst for Canada Mortgage and Housing, said it's early in the construction season.

"It is mostly an overall decline based on a little bit softer demand (for single detached)," he said. "I would just caution you when it comes to looking at percentages earlier on in the year, simply because the numbers are so small."

Gautreau said weather can have a huge impact on early housing numbers.

Fredericton's big jump in multiples is probably just a coincidence of timing on the completion of a couple of apartment buildings, he said.

"The strength of the market is really the second and third quarter," he said. "You can make it all up in one or two weeks in the summertime."

Canada Mortgage and Housing also released urban housing statistics for the month of April.

Fredericton had 82 housing starts, up from 17 in April 2008. Seventy-one of those were multiple units, compared to two for the previous year.

There were 11 single housing starts in the capital, down 26.7 per cent from the same month in 2008.

Alex Forbes, the city's assistant director of development services, said Canada Mortgage and Housing and the city measure housing starts differently.

He said the city tracks housing starts based on when the building permit is issued, and the corporation bases its data on when construction is finished.

Forbes said the city's data for April show there were 17 single detached housing starts compared to 22 last year.

"We are down for this month in regards to multiple dwellings," said Forbes.

He said the housing market in Fredericton is softer than usual. There was a lot of snow this winter and it probably delayed some construction of single detached houses, he said.

"I ask all of the builders when I see them ... 'Are you guys sensing any downturn?' " he said. "Most of them ... indicate they are as busy as usual."

Moncton has 10 single housing starts in April, down 60 per cent, and 24 multiples, down 40 per cent.

Saint John had 23 single housing starts in April, down 34.3 per cent, and nine multiples, down 64 per cent.

Gautreau said the housing construction market in New Brunswick has been strong since 2000. It isn't unusual for demand to ease after years of growth, he said.

He said the global recession does not seem to be having much impact on New Brunswick's housing market.

"The fundamentals of what have been driving housing markets in New Brunswick are still very strong in 2009," he said.

That includes a good economy, high employment rates, population growth in Fredericton and Moncton, and low mortgage rates, said Gautreau.

"There is no reason that the housing market should not be doing as well as it was two or three years ago," he said.

But Gautreau said the impact of the recession can't be ruled out.

"There is uncertainty out there, for sure," he said.

Gautreau said that in urban centres across Canada, housing starts in April declined by 53 per cent to 8,063 compared to 17,209 last year.

Single detached starts nationally fell 49 per cent to 3,526, while multiple unit starts dropped 56 per cent to 4,537.

In the Atlantic region there were 369 residential units started in April, compared to 533 in April 2008.

----

FredRock carving its niche in busy summer
Published Saturday May 9th, 2009
A1
By ADAM BOWIE
bowie.adam@dailygleaner.com

The organizers of FredRock 2009 say a slew of high-profile Maritime concerts and music festivals this summer won't put a damper on Fredericton's first outdoor rock festival.

World-class entertainers such as AC/DC, Bon Jovi, Kiss and John Fogerty are all scheduled to perform in the Maritimes over the next few months, forcing many local concertgoers to make some tough decisions.

But promoter Nick Zildjan said he's confident the organizing team has put together a music festival experience that will stack up against the best.

Top-notch acts such as The Black Crowes, Live, Matt Mays and El Torpedo, The Respectables and Gordie Johnson will join a number of Canada's up-and-coming rock talents and some local favourites.

Zildjan said the organizing team is aware that Maritime music fans will have a number of major concerts to pick from this summer.

"When we first started planning for this, we knew that Moncton usually has one or two shows, Halifax has a show, and (Prince Edward Island) always has the Festival of Lights," he said.

"So we knew this was going to happen and we're still confident we'll have lots of support."

Zildjan said it's true that it won't be possible for most music fans to attend every concert in the Maritimes this summer.

But he said he believes many people will want to attend the first outdoor rock festival in Fredericton because of its quality lineup, it's a new event and it has a convenient location.

"People will be able to make a night of it and walk downtown afterwards," he said.

Zildjan wouldn't say how many tickets have been sold for FredRock 2009.

"Tickets are selling very well - both online and hard tickets," he said. "We're getting a lot of out-of-province buyers and sales (in the United States), which is what we figured. We're happy with the way ticket sales are going.

"The buzz in Fredericton is building and I'd say we're ahead of where we thought we'd be at this point in the game."

Tickets, priced at early-bird rates, were still available at online vendor TicketBreak.com as of Thursday, but Zildjan said that's because organizers decided to print off hard copies of extra tickets and sell them at retail outlets.

He said those printed tickets aren't being counted among the ones sold by the online vendor.

"There are hard tickets available throughout the Maritimes and they have been selling pretty well, so that's basically offsetting some of the tickets being sold online," he said.

When TicketBreak.com hits a certain number of sales, the prices will jump to a higher price.

Even after the prices go up, FredRock 2009 tickets will be selling for less than the major summer concerts in Moncton and Halifax.

Organizer Mike Babineau said he thinks a public information session held several weeks ago helped answer the concerns of some local residents.

"I think some of them were there to see if we knew what we were doing, that we had our ducks in a row," he said.

"I think it settled a few minds. They knew that the city and the police would be involved and that we were taking this very seriously and that we weren't just throwing a three-day party at the (Fredericton Exhibition Grounds)."

Potential vendors and volunteers have been asked to contact organizers before it's too late. Information is available at www.fredrockfestival.com.

----

Unemployment rate drops in N.B. -statsCan
Published Saturday May 9th, 2009
A3
By MARY MOSZYNSKI
Canadaeast News Service

New Brunswick's unemployment rate dropped slightly last month, bucking the national trend.

The unemployment rate in New Brunswick is 8.9 per cent, down from 9.5 per cent in March. However, the size of the province's labour force also dropped, as 400 fewer New Brunswickers were working that month.

Manitoba was the only other province to see its unemployment rate drop.

Nationally, the unemployment rate remained at eight per cent, although employment grew by 36,000 jobs.

"New Brunswick and Manitoba were the only provinces in Canada to experience a slight decrease in the unemployment level in April," Labour Minister Donald Arseneault said in a statement.

"This lower rate was fuelled by a large decrease in the number of unemployed in April. In times of economic concern, I am hopeful that capital investments, combined with our recent budget and federal initiatives, will help the province regain its momentum."

Statistics Canada said the majority of the new jobs created nationally were in the self-employed category.

The Canadian dollar surged by more than one cent on the news, rising above 86 cents US for the first time since early November.

----
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Old Posted May 12, 2009, 11:30 AM
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Library closer to facelift
Published Tuesday May 12th, 2009
A4
By HEATHER MCLAUGHLIN
mclaughlin.heather@dailygleaner.com

Comeau MacKenzie Architecture will receive a design contract from the city for $54,500 to draft a set of blueprints to reconfigure the interior space of Fredericton Public Library on Carleton Street.

City Coun. Stephen Kelly, who sits on the library board on behalf of the city, said the board of directors of the library has proposed a five-year, $1-million renovation plan to the city.

"Fredericton Public Library is due for a lot of upgrading and repairs and council has been sympathetic to that," Kelly said.

Councillors this year agreed at closed-door sessions to stake the funds for the design study.

Kelly said any further capital investment will have to be approved by councillors year by year as the renovation project is staged.

The library hasn't been upgraded since it was built in the mid-1970s and needs washroom improvements and an elevator to make the building accessible.

York Regional Library, which has shared the public library's space will be relocated to allow for the renovation and expansion of the public library.

"It's really overdue and we're really looking forward to getting on with it," Kelly said.

"Nothing is really going to happen this year until the design study is done. The money would be spent to progress the program as council sees fit. Council is pretty sympathetic to moving ahead with the project."

----

City likes it chances ahead of smart city announcement
Published Tuesday May 12th, 2009
A3
By HEATHER MCLAUGHLIN
mclaughlin.heather@dailygleaner.com

Fredericton is counting down to this week's selection of the world's most intelligent city as rated by a New York think-tank.

Don Fitzgerald, executive director of strategic initiatives for the city, and Maurice Gallant, the city's chief information officer, head to New York today for the start of the Intelligent Community Forum conference in New York.

Municipal politicians and city business leaders follow Thursday, where they'll catch keynote presentations and then participate in the awards luncheon ceremony Friday at the Brooklyn navy yards. That's when the Intelligent Community Forum will announce which of its Top 7 cities has risen above the rest of the pack.

Each of the final seven cities was visited by a forum representative who chronicled the city's efforts to grow its broadband technology prior to the final evaluation and a vote by an international jury.

"The session went very well here. I had a very good feeling about it," Fitzgerald said.

The forum's representative on the Fredericton site visit asked interesting and penetrating questions, Fitzgerald said.

Fredericton faces tough competition for the title.

"There are some really impressive communities nominated," he said.

Tallinn, Estonia, for instance, didn't have a banking system after its independence from Russia was gained in 1992.

"It's quite a story, but then our story is pretty good, too," Fitzgerald said. "We are upbeat. We are keen."

The City of Moncton is one of the seven finalists, as well as Bristol, Va.; Eindhoven, Netherlands; Issy-les-Moulineaux, France; and Stockholm, Sweden.

Meanwhile, New Brunswick Premier Shawn Graham will dovetail his two-day trade mission to New York by bringing eight New Brunswick technology companies to the Big Apple to seek increased trade with the U.S.

Business New Brunswick acting minister Jack Keir will join the trip and the two politicians will attend the Intelligent Community Forum awards luncheon in support of Moncton's and Fredericton's nominations.

"Our government's approach to economic development includes an aggressive investment attraction strategy balanced with a strong support of New Brunswick companies," said Graham.

"We are pleased to support innovative New Brunswick IT companies as they look for partners in New York. Building our export markets will help us move closer to our goal of self-sufficiency by 2026."

Graham and Keir will also host a breakfast and panel discussion for New Brunswick and New York companies Thursday. The panel will focus on New Brunswick's IT strengths and partnership opportunities in New York.

"New York is an important market for New Brunswick IT companies, and the eight New Brunswick companies attending this mission realize the opportunity that exists for them," said Keir.

"We are determined to position New Brunswick companies to take full advantage of the economic rebound when it happens. This mission will help connect our entrepreneurs with important industry players to sell our skills and our ingenuity to the world."

Participating New Brunswick companies include: PCS LabMentors Ltd.; Barrett Xplore; Cube Automation; Red Ball Internet; PQA (Professional Quality Assurance Ltd.); Ambir; Lexi-Tech International Inc.; and Chalk Media Service Corp.

----

Can new federal program save York Arena?
Published Tuesday May 12th, 2009
All ears | Councillor says he will listen to proposals
A4
By MICHAEL STAPLES
staples.michael@dailygleaner.com

Coun. Bruce Grandy says he's always willing to hear people out.

But whether that translates into saving the York Arena remains to be seen.

"I am certainly always open to hear stories or the cases that people have to lay down in front of you looking at different options," the councillor said.

Grandy made the comment Monday following an announcement by Fredericton MP Keith Ashfield, the minister of state for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, that the federal government is investing $12 million in community recreational sites.

The money will be available for upgrades and repairs to, among other things, swimming pools, sports fields and hockey rinks.

It's part of the government's new Recreational Infrastructure Canada program.

Grandy said council has already decided that once the Grant*Harvey Centre is open, the York Arena will be torn down.

But he said if the city's director of community services brought something forward that might suggest an alternate course of action, it will be looked at.

"We're always open to listen," Grandy said.

"That's one thing I have learned from being on council for the last six years is that you have to listen to the people."

Grandy said he hopes the federal announcement is just the start, as $12 million isn't a lot of money to disperse amongst the aged recreation facilities across Atlantic Canada.

A city study of rink facilities in Fredericton suggests it would cost $1 million to modernize York Arena and bring it up to modern building codes.

Chris Mabie, part of a committee formed to save the south Devon facility, said there's money out there, but council has to be willing to revisit the matter.

"We're in the process right now of demonstrating the fact that there is a real need for two additional ice surfaces," Mabie said.

Mabie said he was encouraged by Monday's announcement.

Ashfield said priority is being placed on projects where repairs and upgrades to facilities can be completed by March 31, 2011.

Under the program, the federal government will provide up to one-third of the project costs with a maximum per project contribution of $1 million.

"We're inviting municipalities, First Nation governments, community organizations and other not-for-profit entities in Atlantic Canada who have eligible projects ... to submit their proposals now," he said.

Ashfield said the $12 million is just the beginning, with future funding to be allocated based on applications submitted to the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency.

Jamie Shanks, executive director of Recreation New Brunswick, welcomed the announcement.

"This is news that we, our recreation facilities and our members have been waiting a long time to hear," Shanks said.

"Recreation facilities in New Brunswick and Canada have not had a major or dedicated financial investment since the infrastructure boom in the centennial year (of) 1967, at which time many of our facilities were constructed."

Earlier in the day, Ashfield announced more than $1.8 million over the next two years to be used in the modernization of three federal laboratories in the province.

The Atlantic Forestry Centre Laboratory in Fredericton will get the bulk of the funding - $806,000.

The Mactaquac Biodiversity Facility, also known as the fish hatchery, will receive $539,000, while the Potato Research Centre in Fredericton will get $500,000.

The announcements are part of a two-year, $250-million program to modernize federal laboratories across the country.
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Airport to study expansion options
Published Thursday May 14th, 2009
Busy | Increase in traffic could pave way for flight tower
A1
By STEPHEN LLEWELLYN
llewellyn.stephen@dailygleaner.com

The Fredericton International Airport is looking at expanding again.

The airport announced at its annual meeting Tuesday that it has hired airport consulting company LPS Avia of Ottawa to consider existing and future expansion needs.

"With nearly 50 per cent growth in passenger traffic out of Fredericton over the past decade and having just come off another record year in the number of passengers served, it is obvious that the demand on airport capacity will continue to grow," said David Innes, president and CEO of the Greater Fredericton Airport Authority.

"For this reason, the time has come to get serious about planning for the future.''

In 2008, the number of passengers using the airport reached 270,435, which is a new record, said Innes.

There have been a lot of improvements to the Fredericton airport in recent years.

The airport terminal was expanded in 2006. The departure lounge was extensively renovated in 2005 and the runway was lengthened in 2002.

Traffic in the first four months of 2009 remains above the national average, which fell 9.2 per cent.

"Traffic has been steady," said Innes. "We are holding our own in the first four months of 2009 with good growth in March, especially with the continuation of our Caribbean flights and the return of the direct flight to London.''

Melodie Beal, public relations and marketing manager of the Greater Fredericton Airport Authority, said the airport's expansion study should be done in a few months.

It will tell the authority whether it can expand the terminal or needs to build a new one.

Aircraft movements at the Fredericton airport increased 115 per cent in 2008 and 58 per cent in the first quarter of 2009, said Innes.

He said that growth prompted NAV Canada to announce last week it's studying aircraft traffic.

That could lead to the construction of an air traffic control tower here, he said.

"This is excellent news and would add to our capabilities as an international airport," said Innes.

"It would be a great asset to include in our plans for the future of the Fredericton International Airport."

Coun. Bruce Grandy, chairman of the city's transportation committee, said the expansion study is great news.

"It just shows that our airport is actually in big demand," he said.

The direct flight to England and the flight school is obviously part of that demand, he said.

"It gives great confidence that there is future growth here in Fredericton," said Grandy.

It fits perfectly with the new convention centre the city is building, he said.

"We need a great partner in the airport," said Grandy.

The city participated in past expansions at the airport, but council hasn't received a financial request from the airport authority, he said.

Fredericton-Silverwood Liberal MLA Rick Miles said Wednesday there's a great opportunity to expand the Fredericton airport.

"We are going to have to discuss it more with the airport and also with our federal colleagues to look at how we can improve and expand the aerospace industry, not just in Fredericton but also New Brunswick," he said.

"The federal government would have to have a big role to play," he said.

Ryan Donaghy, spokesman for Business New Brunswick, said the government is also promoting the airport as a site for potential private-sector investment.

----

Premier hopes N.B. city brings home title
Published Thursday May 14th, 2009
Smart | Fredericton, Moncton in running for world IT title
A1
By STEPHEN LLEWELLYN
llewellyn.stephen@dailygleaner.com

Premier Shawn Graham is after intelligent community bragging rights in New York and Fredericton has a chance to win them for him.

Fredericton is one of two New Brunswick cities in the Intelligent Community Forum's competition this week in New York City.

"We want to win the top prize," said Graham on Wednesday. "When we win the bragging rights to be the smartest province and (for) having the smartest city in the world, definitely we will be using that as an opportunity to brand the province.''

It's the second year in a row the capital has been invited to the competition.

"I am very proud of that fact that we have two communities in New Brunswick ... in the Top 7 intelligent community competition," said Graham.

"It has been well recognized across the globe as one of the most important competitions to enter.''

Moncton is also in the running.

The premier said he was rooting for both Fredericton and Moncton.

"At the end of this process, I would like to see one of these cities in our province be (named) the smartest place in the world," he said.

Other cities in the competition include: Tallinn, Estonia; Bristol, Va., Eindhoven, Netherlands, Issy-les-Moulineaux, France and Stockholm, Sweden.

The winner will be named at a gala luncheon Friday at 2 p.m.

The premier will speak Friday to the forum in a keynote discussion about his vision for rural competitiveness in New Brunswick using high-speed Internet.

Graham said New Brunswick will be the first jurisdiction to have 100 per cent broadband high-speed Internet coverage in rural areas.

"That, in itself, is a great stepping stone that many other jurisdictions are looking to follow," he said.

Barrett Xplore, which has the government contract to provide rural coverage, is one of eight companies travelling to New York with Graham and the New Brunswick delegation.

Fredericton Mayor Brad Woodside left for New York on Tuesday.

Deputy mayor Tony Whalen said Wednesday the capital is thrilled to be in the Top 7 competition for the second time.

"Hopefully this will be the time for us to be the No. 1 most intelligent community in the world," he said.

Whelan said Fredericton is going into the competition with more ammunition this year - including more Green Matters initiatives - while continuing with free wireless Internet.

He said he hopes Moncton is successful if Fredericton doesn't win.

"It (a Moncton win) is good for the whole province," said Whalen. "Anything that is good for the province is good for us."

The New Brunswick companies travelling to New York will be making business calls organized by Business New Brunswick and attending several Intelligent Community Forum workshops.

Companies participating include: PCS LabMentors Ltd.; Cube Automation; Red Ball Internet; PQA (Professional Quality Assurance Ltd.); Ambir; Lexi-Tech International Inc.; and Chalk Media Service Corp.

Graham will attend a reception tonight hosted by Canadian Consul General Dan Sullivan at his private residence.

After that, the New Brunswick delegation will attend a Top 7 reception hosted by the provincial government and the Canadian consul general.

The premier will address an information technology trade mission breakfast Friday prior to introducing a panel discussion highlighting the province's IT strengths and partnership opportunities with New York companies.

Jack Carr, Tory MLA for New Maryland-Sunbury West, said he's delighted Fredericton is in the Top 7 two years in a row and it will be an extra bonus to win.

"It bodes well for the work being done by the municipality and by the province ... to make Fredericton and the province one of the best places in the world to do business," he said. "I will be rooting for Fredericton.

"Of course, Moncton is in the Top 7 as well, but I have a soft spot for Fredericton."

If Fredericton or Moncton wins the province should promote it, said Carr.

"It is a great (marketing) tool already to be in the Top 7," he said. "If we get named No. 1, of course we would want to promote that even more."

Updates on the New York trip can be watched at www.youtube.ca/gnbca.

More information on the Intelligent Community Forum can be found at www.intelligentcommunity.org. The awards luncheon will be shown on the website live Friday afternoon.

----

Inspection and paving will slow bridge traffic for weeks - province
Published Thursday May 14th, 2009
A6
By The Daily Gleaner

Drivers should be braced for construction delays in and around the Princess Margaret Bridge for the next three weeks, said Department of Transportation spokesman Andrew Holland.

Not only has bridge traffic been reduced to one lane while work crews inspect the underside of the bridge's concrete and structural steel, but that inspection process is now expected to continue Friday as well from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Beyond the inspection work on the north end of the bridge, Holland said a paving contract has been issued to Springhill Construction.

"They've been awarded two paving contracts for work on both approaches to the bridge. One is on Route 8 approaching the Princess Margaret and they started this work Monday," Holland said.

The contract involves milling up the old asphalt and then resurfacing the roughened surface with a fresh coat of asphalt.

Holland said the company is working even during rush hour times in and around the bridge to get the job done.

"We're seeing some traffic backups because of the milling work," Holland said.

If drivers can adjust their travel times, find alternate routes or at least allow extra travel time to adjust for waiting, it would be helpful, Holland pointed out.

"It's part and parcel of the construction season," he said. "There's a lot of work to be done. Our department has already awarded more than 60 tenders for work in the province to get people to work, help the economy and get things rolling."
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Old Posted May 15, 2009, 9:22 PM
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Fredericton and Moncton Loose to Stockholm

What does the city spend chasing this? Is it worth it? From where I sit, nobody I know in the tech and dot-com world give a rats ass about Intelligent Community Forum...so why the big interest from Fredericton?

Stockholm Named Intelligent Community of Year 2009 by ICF
Europe’s “Green Capital” Receives Honor in New York during NYU/Polytechnic Event

Published Friday, May 15, 2009


Issy-les-Moulineaux’s Legendary Mayor named Visionary of the Year; Dave Carter of Manchester Digital Development Agency; Andrew Spano of Westchester County, New York, and Taoyuan County, Taiwan presented with annual Founders Awards during Luncheon Ceremony

(New York City, 15 May 2009 – 1445 ET) – The Intelligent Community Forum (ICF) named Stockholm, Sweden the Intelligent Community of the Year for 2009 at an awards ceremony this afternoon at Steiner Film Studios in Brooklyn, New York. The Scandanavian community, known for its prowess in innovative technologies and its quality of life, was represented by a delegation led by its Vice Mayor Ulf Kristersson, which included its Consul General, Ambassador Ulf Hjertonsson. ICF Co-Founder Louis Zacharilla presented the award to Stockholm, which succeeded the Gangnam District of Seoul (Korea), the 2008 recipient.

“This is a community that has methodically and substantially redefined the possibilities of urban living and sets an example of how technology can play a role to enhance economic and social development,” said Zacharilla.

Also recognized were the recipients of the ICF’s Visionary of the Year Award and its three annual Founders Awards. The annual awards are presented by the independent think tank as part of its annual conference, Building the Broadband Economy, produced in association with the Institute for Technology & Enterprise at New York University’s Polytechnic school in New York (USA).

The goal of the awards is to increase awareness of the role that broadband and information communications technology (ICT) play in economic and social development at the community level worldwide. The mayors, CIOs and heads of technology companies from around the world were on hand to meet during the three day, invitation-only Summit and awards program. www.icfsummit.com

Intelligent Community of the Year 2009: Stockholm, Sweden
Stockholm, on Sweden's south-central east coast, has been Sweden´s political, cultural and economic center since the 1200s. One out of every eleven Swedes lives in Stockholm, and in the first decade of the new century, their city has continued to find ways to make "big" work better. The economy benefits enormously from Stockholm's status as the political and cultural capital. Most of the country's head offices and one in three foreign-owned companies are located there. Nearly one in three new Swedish companies is located in the county of which Stockholm is the capital. Education levels are high (51% of Stockholmers have studied at university levels compared with 35% nationwide) and average salaries are proportionally higher.

During a national fiscal crisis in the early Nineties, the City of Stockholm decided to pursue an unusual model in telecommunications. The city-owned company Stokab started in 1994 to build a fiber-optic network throughout the municipality as a level playing field for all operators. Stokab dug up the streets once to install conduit and run fiber, closed them up, and began offering dark fiber capacity to carriers for less than it would cost them to install it themselves. Today, the 1.2 million kilometer (720,000-mile) network has more than 90 operators and 450 enterprises as primary customers and is now in the final year of a three-year project to bring fiber to 100% of public housing, which is expected to add 95,000 households to the network. Stockholm's Mayor has set a goal of connecting 90% of all households to fiber by 2012.

In 2007, the City of Stockholm published Vision 2030, identifying the key characteristics the city aimed to have by that year. In 2030, according to the plan, Stockholm would be a world-class metropolis offering a rich urban living experience, the center of an internationally competitive innovation region, and a place where citizens enjoyed a broad range of high-quality, cost-effective social services.

More information is available on the Intelligent Community Profiles pages of the ICF Web site: http://www.intelligentcommunity.org/...gory=Community
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Old Posted May 16, 2009, 11:48 AM
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I know to be a part of these types of groupings you have to buy into it (most of them atleast), so it is really just BS, i dont know the intelligent communities form is the same, but i wouldnt be surprised if it was.
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Old Posted May 16, 2009, 11:55 AM
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Finding land to build on big problem for Habitat
Published Saturday May 16th, 2009
A4
By HEATHER MCLAUGHLIN
mclaughlin.heather@dailygleaner.com

Habitat for Humanity Fredericton Area Inc. is on the hunt for donated or discounted land in order to build another affordable house for a financially strapped family in the Fredericton area.

The non-profit, charitable organization helps low-income families invest in a home of their own by facilitating an interest-free mortgage and by rounding up donated materials and labour.

Homeowners who apply and are approved for a Habitat home must invest their own sweat equity into the project.

"One of the biggest challenges that we currently face is obtaining land to build new homes," said Dave Charleson, co-chairman of the site selection committee for the Fredericton group.

"Many people do not realize that Habitat also looks for private land and that donors will receive a tax receipt for the value of any land they may donate, or even for the difference between the market value and a discounted value that they may be willing to offer to Habitat," Charleson said.

Without access to a free or inexpensive property, the group may not be able to build a home in 2009. It aims to construct one house per year for a family in need.

The local chapter of the organization appealed to city council to assist with the donation of free or discounted land, but Mayor Brad Woodside has said the city won't give land away.

The city has a program for discounting land for multi-unit developments that include a subsidized or rent-reduced unit in the project.

Woodside has assigned the city's affordable housing committee to meet with Habitat, but they haven't gotten together yet, Charleson said.

"We've also had some discussions with Oromocto. They were a little more receptive there, but there's nothing immediately forthcoming. They've given us some suggestions," he said.

"We're still seeing what we can do to try to find something.

"At this point, we have no land to build in 2009."

Safe, affordable housing is needed for families to prosper and to break the cycle of poverty in Fredericton and surrounding areas, he said.
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Old Posted May 18, 2009, 10:21 PM
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so, the city will discount land to developers with big pockets if they include an affordable unit in a multi-unit development, but won't do anything for a group that runs on donations and is dedicated solely to affordable dwellings? Makes sense.
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Neill Farm housing development proceeding as planned
Published Monday May 18th, 2009
A5
By CHRIS FOX
fox.chris@dailygleaner.com

Plans to gradually turn historic Neill farm in Devon into a large scale housing development are progressing according to plan.


The Neill Farm is pictured in the background with a lot marker in the foreground for the construction of a home on the land that used to be one of the fields for the former dairy farm.

James Realty agreed to purchase the 110-acre (44.5-hectare) parcel of land, which has been used as a family-run dairy operation by four generations of Neills, from Ron and Albert Neill two years ago.

The land is being purchased and developed in four stages, and Jim Davis, one of the project's developers, said the first phase will include about 60 lots near the end of Hillcrest Drive.

That phase is coming along nicely, he said.

"It is going well. All the pipe is in the ground, all the infrastructure is in place and all the lots now exist," Davis said.

"We have four houses up, a fifth one in the works and our pavement will go down in May. The road is there, but it is a dirt road right now, so once we get the pavement and curbing done it should be quite nice."

Development on the site, which will be known as the Meadowlands at Neill Farm, will mainly consist of single-family dwellings.

However, several lots have been earmarked for possible development as condominiums, apartments or duplexes.

The entire development is expected to take 10 years to complete.

However, Davis said, the first phase, which spans 10 acres (four hectares), could be done within the next two years.

"There is a lot of things that have gone on in that area with the Willie O'Ree Centre, the YMCA and all the businesses that have opened, and I think there will be real demand," he said.

The Meadowlands at Neill Farm is being billed as an upper-class housing development complete with underground wiring, walkways throughout the subdivision and plenty of green space, including a park stretching from Irvine Street to MacLaren Avenue.

Jim Martin, one of Davis's partners on the project, said the goal is to create what he calls a sustainable community.

"There is one way of developing where you try to maximize every square inch of you property, and there is another way where you kind of stay away from the wetlands, you kind of stay away from the view planes you want to maintain, and those are the kind of philosophies we are trying to employ with this development," he said.

Coun. Dan Keenan, chairman of the city's development committee, said he sees the development as a boost to the Two Nations Crossing area of Fredericton.

"It is a definite benefit," he said.

"We are seeing a whole mix of development in the Two Nations and Cliffe Street area, and high-density development like this should help to drive the commercial development there because it will provide another source of business for retailers."

Keeenan said residential developments continue to be big business for the city, even in tough economic times.

He said Fredericton's population increased by around 1,000 residents in the last census, making new housing important to the city's success.

"As long as we can create the jobs, people will want to move here because of the beauty of the community and the services available, and that will continue to move the housing development forward," he said.

-----

New facility for fire department on north side nears completion
Published Monday May 18th, 2009
A5
By MICHAEL STAPLES
staples.michael@dailygleaner.com

Fredericton firefighters will soon have a new state-of-the art fire station and training facility on the north side.


The new fire station and training facility at Two Nations Crossing will open this summer.

The Two Nations Crossing project is almost finished and will be officially christened within the next few weeks.

Fredericton fire Chief Phillip Toole said an exact date for opening is still somewhat up in the air.

He said it looks like the official ribbon-cutting could come next month or in July.

Toole said firefighters are anxious to make the move to the $5-million facility.

"Going around to the stations, the question that's being continually asked to me is, 'When is it going to be ready?' I'd like to have answers for them but it's one of the questions I can't answer right now," Toole said.

"We've been in this project for a number of years now, and I've said, 'Hang on, we'll soon be there.'"

The long-awaited fire station has been in the works since October 2004, when council authorized studies on the feasibility of creating two new stations for the city - one on the north side and one on the south side.

The southside facility, to be located in the Silverwood area, is still in the developmental stage.

Unlike its northside cousin, it will be strictly a fire facility and will meet a demand for service in that area and in Hanwell, now served by the York Street and Kimble Road stations.

In the meantime, last-minute work on the northside facility is continuing.

The lower end of the building, which will house the training division and includes office and classroom space, is almost complete.

The fitness room and the living quarters are also close to being finished.

Work is continuing on the operational side, such as the bay areas.

On the outside of the structure, work on the curbing has been completed for parking and sidewalks, but efforts are continuing on grading the parking lots in anticipation of asphalt.

Loose ends are also being tied up on the tower and the training facility.

"It's been a long process, but there's light at the end of the tunnel," Toole said.

The northside station will result in the amalgamation of the MacLaren Avenue facility with the one on Harrison Court in Marysville.

The city also has stations on York Street, Kimble Drive and Royal Road, but there are no plans to close or alter them.

"When we move, we will be turning off the lights and moving into our new facility, and it will be up to property services to deal with the two stations that are being decommissioned," Toole said.

The $1.9-million, four-storey training facility, the only one of its kind in Eastern Canada, should open around the same time as the fire station.

"The training facility is going to allow us to conduct day-to-day training to enhance the skills that we presently have," Toole said.

Basic firefighter-training classes - part of the Holland College program in Summerside, P.E.I. - could have a full class of 24 students using the facility by April 2010.

Other potential clients include police, ambulance, emergency-measures organization staff and smaller fire departments that require training.

Eric Fiander, deputy director of the Atlantic Police Academy who oversees the Holland College firefighter-training program, said he's a huge fan of the new training complex.

"They (firefighters) will be able to come there and do their training," Fiander said.

"It will be money-saving because they haven't got to leave Fredericton. It will (also) be a nice facility for volunteer firefighters to do their training."

Fiander said he believes it's in a good location and should work well once the other two stations are decommissioned.

-----

Residents welcome to tour new water-treatment plant
Published Monday May 18th, 2009
A5
By The Daily Gleaner

An open house will be held May 26 at the E. John Bliss Water Treatment Plant to give residents the opportunity to take a tour of the new $8.5-million facility at 300 Waterloo Row.

"It's a great opportunity for the public to learn about the plant and see how it operates," said Coun. Scott McConaghy, chairman of the city's public safety and environment committee.

"I encourage everyone to take advantage of this opportunity to see where our excellent drinking water comes from and to see their water-rate dollars at work."

The open house will be held from 1-6 p.m. May 26 and will feature slide shows and guided tours of the new plant. Light refreshments will be served.

The new plant, the city's second, was formally named during a ceremony last September.

It treats water from new wells in the Queen Square area, providing an additional safe and secure source of drinking water to meet the growing needs of a growing city.

Coun. Marilyn Kerton, attending Tuesday's public safety committee session, questioned whether the open house would be better attended if it was held on a weekend, but Danny Lanteigne, the supervisor of the two water-treatment facilities, said that would entail bringing in extra staff on the weekend to host the event.

Kerton wanted to be sure that schoolchildren could visit the facility, but Lanteigne said school and environmental groups can and do book tours of the water-treatment plants during the school year.

Since 1883, the city has treated water at the plant on Smythe Street, which was officially named the William L. Barrett Water Treatment Plant in June 2007.

Both Barrett and Bliss are former city engineers.

City water and sewer staff are working to get the plant online and hope to have water flowing into the city-wide system later this year.
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Old Posted May 20, 2009, 11:37 AM
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No 'Metro Fredericton' for a while yet
Published Wednesday May 20th, 2009
Data | Not enough of region's residents work in Fredericton, StatsCan says
A1
By HEATHER MCLAUGHLIN
mclaughlin.heather@dailygleaner.com

Census metropolitan status isn't coming any time soon to New Brunswick's capital city, says Frank Flanagan, Fredericton's development services director.

Fredericton hasn't been able to meet the benchmarks required by Statistics Canada to achieve the designation, for which both Moncton and Saint John have qualified.

"We had hoped to achieve CMA (census metropolitan area) status," Flanagan told the city's development committee Tuesday.

Acquiring CMA status would help the city market itself better to higher-calibre site developers and investors who use the designation as a measurement of major markets.

Even certain retailers use CMA status as a determinant in whether to locate a store in a city, or the size or class of store that may be built.

There are other technical reasons why Fredericton has been seeking the designation over the past decade, including that Statistics Canada will supply more free data to a CMA and a CMA designation guarantees inclusion in more data and surveys done by the federal statistics agency.

One key qualifier to achieve CMA status is that 50 per cent of the labour force from outside communities included in the CMA must commute to work in the city's urban core.

Oromocto and Burton are key areas in order for Fredericton to achieve CMA status, but only 14.6 per cent of Oromocto residents work in Fredericton and about 24 per cent from Burton come to the city for employment, mainly because Canadian Forces Base Gagetown is a significant employer in the greater Fredericton region.

Fredericton Junction comes the closest to the criterion, with 44.4 per cent of its residents coming into the city to work.

Flanagan said it's not a question of lobbying for support, since the designation is based on Statistics Canada's computer model and data.

Instead, the city will have to continue to market itself and promote what it's already got, Flanagan said.

Fredericton is one of the fastest growing urban centres in Atlantic Canada at 6.2 per cent.

Only Moncton and Halifax have similar growth rates, as measured by the 2001 and 2006 censuses.

Within 100 kilometres of Fredericton is a regional population of 322,670.

"That's a significant trade area," Flanagan said.

The city is continuing to promote itself as the gateway to the Atlantic region, and that 70 per cent of the province's knowledge industries are in Fredericton.

The city has a population of 50,535 and a regional population of 85,688, according to Statistics Canada.

Moncton has a population of 64,128, and it achieved CMA status with a regional population of 126,043.

Saint John has a population of 68,043 and a CMA of 122,389.

Flanagan said the city will continue to track its figures and work with Statistics Canada in hopes of achieving CMA status.

The city is also keeping an eye on the Finn report, which the provincial government has temporarily shelved.

That report came up with ideas on changing local governance structures and geographic groupings of major centres with their bedroom towns and villages.

----

More contracts signed for Marysville bypass
Published Wednesday May 20th, 2009
A4
By STEPHEN LLEWELLYN
llewellyn.stephen@dailygleaner.com

The Marysville bypass got a big boost when Premier Shawn Graham announced 10 additional contracts for clearing and grading on the project worth $11.9 million.

Graham and Transportation Minister Denis Landry made the announcement during a site visit Tuesday.

"We clearly committed to addressing this important transportation and safety issue prior to taking office," said Graham.

"It will be really positive to see this 36-kilometre stretch improve the flow of traffic in the capital region, while helping motorists have better access to southwest Miramichi and northeast New Brunswick."

The cost of the bypass project is $124 million.

Landry said the government will spend $35 million on the bypass this year.

"We want to rush the work because we want to end it earlier than expected," he said. "The work is going very well."

Initially, the project wasn't expected to be complete until 2015.

Construction work revealed fossils in the rock along the route that caused some worry that the project might be delayed. But Landry said experts were brought in to look at the fossils and they turned out to be fairly common plant fossils.

He said he had a chance to examine some of the fossils Tuesday.

"It was amazing to be able to see that it was an old tree," he said. "It was still there after some 300 million years."

Eighteen contracts have been awarded for work completed or underway on the bypass. The contracts range in value from $3,336 to $6.61 million.

Joining Graham and Landry on the tour were Fredericton-Fort Nashwaak Liberal MLA Kelly Lamrock and Fredericton-Silverwood Liberal MLA Rick Miles.

Lamrock said people in his constituency are excited to see the long-awaited project taking shape.

"The people of greater Fredericton had reason to be skeptical after hearing 30 years of announcements and promises," he said.

"Completion of this bypass will make the residential community of Marysville safer, while giving the trucking community a more efficient route."

Three grading and four bridge or overpass contracts will be tendered in the coming weeks, said government officials.

----

Tennis group seeks city support
Published Wednesday May 20th, 2009
A6
By HEATHER MCLAUGHLIN
mclaughlin.heather@dailygleaner.com

The Capital Region Tennis Association is asking Fredericton city council to provide a letter of support to back its application to the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency for $730,000 in federal funding.

The association wants to erect a $1.6-million indoor tennis complex tied to the Grant*Harvey Centre when the city constructs the southside regional sportsplex on Alison Boulevard.

Association spokesman David Clark told city councillors Tuesday night that by joining the two sports facilities, the city will be contributing close to $400,000 toward the project through land and in-kind services.

Geothermal heating proposed for the hockey sports centre can be purchased by the tennis association for its four-court indoor tennis facility. Coupled with a radiant heating system and extra insulation, the tennis facility can be heated for about $30,000 annually, he said.

Clark gave councillors an updated copy of the group's business plan, which estimates annual operating costs at $108,000 and revenues of $162,700.

"The sustainability of this, in our view, is incredibly strong," Clark said. "The City of Fredericton has been an excellent partner and has come to the table with $400,000 in-kind (not cash) support."

For about 20 years, local tennis players supported a private tennis dome in Lower St. Mary's, Clark said, and the business model for the new facility draws on a much broader community base and greater construction efficiencies.

The tennis facility will be multi-purpose and can be used for badminton, basketball and other indoor sports, as well as for trade shows and exhibits.

The group has drawn local schools into the mix and hopes that school programs, provincial tournaments, wheelchair events and adult and seniors tennis can round out the mix of users and potential revenue sources.

"We've had good support from the school district," Clark said.

Since there are many groups clamouring for federal cash under ACOA's Building Canada Fund, the group wants city council to submit a letter of endorsement to complement their application.

A second wave of federal funding for recreation projects was announced last week.

The Capital Region Tennis Association has gathered $230,000 in pledges to support the venture. Another $100,000 is expected to be raised from the private sector, with another $140,000 expected to come from a national endowment campaign.

"We're very confident in our fundraising abilities," Clark said.

To cover all the bases, Clark said the $1.6 million includes $250,000 for contingencies and it turned to Eastern Designers and Company Ltd. to vet its business case.

"I think this is a worthy project and clearly you've worked hard at building support," said Coun. Stephen Chase.

Coun. Dan Keenan commended the group for building a business case that includes its own financial contribution. The days of expecting the city to carry the full financial load for sports facilities is long gone, he said.

Mayor Brad Woodside said city councillors will discuss the request, but councillors have generally been supportive of the group's efforts and senior city hall staff were authorized to work with the group on its project.

----

This isn't your parents' middle school
Published Wednesday May 20th, 2009
A3
By JENNIFER DUNVILLE
dunville.jennifer@dailygleaner.com

Construction on Bliss Carman Middle School is in the final stages.

The keys to the school on Kimble Drive, which will replace Albert Street Middle School, are expected to be turned over to District 18 staff by the end of June.

The school will open to students in September.

"Bliss Carman is going to be a great school. Everything is modern. It's a big step from Albert," said Tim O'Connor, senior project manager of facilities and pupil transportation for the Department of Education.

Students Reilly Parsons, Erin Guilfoyle and Tanya Dhayagude got a sneak peek of the interior of the new school Tuesday.

They chatted excitedly throughout the tour and paused several times to explore some of the special features of the school.

"This is really amazing," Parsons said while standing inside the front doors of the building.

"I'm surprised how big the gym is and that there is a science lab. The technology lab is really big, and I really think we're going to enjoy this school."

Bob Phillips, the architect of the building, said the state-of-the-art facility was designed to give students more space, a high-tech cafeteria and a better gymnasium.

The school includes 24 regular classrooms, several doubled classrooms, a music room, two science labs, a library and resource room, an art room and a lab for sewing, woodworking and computer science.

The footprint of the facility is just more than 4,000 square metres, but the floor space of the two-storey building is more than 7,300 square metres.

"It's a big project, so there's a huge sense of pride as it nears completion," Phillips said.

"We have more than 85 construction workers in here working hard to finish this by June. It's been a long process that hasn't been without its growing pains, but it's all worth it to see the joy on the kids' faces as they walk through the facility."

O'Connor helped lead the tour. He pointed out many of the features the new school will have that the old school doesn't.

"There's a cafetorium, wireless Internet throughout the school, motion-activated lights, Smartboard technology in every classroom and indirect lighting that reflects off the ceiling to prevent glare," he said.

"The double classrooms will allow teachers to combine their classes for team teaching, and the staff rooms throughout the school will allow space for staff to prepare coursework."

Other features of the new school include: FM sound systems in every classroom; a heat-recovery system; and biometric technology in the cafeteria that will allow students to pay for meals by simply scanning their thumb to access an online account.

"After seeing the new school, there isn't really anything I can think of that I'll miss about the old school," said Grade 7 student Tanya Dhayagude.

"I'll be part of the first class to graduate from the new school, so that's exciting to think about, too. The focus is definitely on the new school now."

Public tours of Bliss Carman Middle School are expected to take place in the next few months. Construction is scheduled to be completed June 30.

----

Fredericton, Oromocto, New Maryland to split millions for infrastructure projects
Published Wednesday May 20th, 2009
A4
By SHAWN BERRY
berry.shawn@dailygleaner.com

Fredericton, New Maryland and Oromocto will get almost $5 million to invest in infrastructure this year after the federal government doubled gas tax transfers to municipalities.

"Families and workers in Fredericton, Oromocto and New Maryland will soon see faster improvements to roads and other local infrastructure thanks to the Conservative government's doubling of gas tax transfers to municipalities," said Fredericton Tory MP Keith Ashfield, who's also the minister of state for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency.

The amount of money shared with municipalities accounts for five cents on every litre sold.

The announcement is part of a series of announcements by Conservative MPs in their ridings. Federal gas tax transfers to the provinces and municipalities were doubled April 1.

Municipalities across the country will be provided with $2 billion a year to invest in projects such as roads, water treatment plants, bridges, sewers and transit systems.

Fredericton, which received about $1.9 million in gas tax funding last year, will get about $3.8 million this year. This year's funding was anticipated to double and has been allotted to projects.

Area mayors welcomed news that the federal government will continue to provide bolstered funding to municipalities for another four years.

"This funding means a lot to a community like Oromocto," said Mayor Fay Tidd.

"It means when we need new wastewater treatment plants, we'll have some additional funding," she said.

New Maryland Mayor Frank Dunn said the money will hopefully help his community link new wells to water towers in the village.

Fredericton Mayor Brad Woodside said the city plans to use the money to refurbish the waste water treatment plant on the city's north side.

Ashfield said the federal government continues to invest in infrastructure projects in Atlantic Canada.

He said the first project in the government's $104-million Community Adjustment Fund - a $7-million silviculture program in Miramichi - was announced last week.

He said there are also likely to be announcements in the next few months related to Ottawa's two-year, $12-billion Building Canada Fund meant to promote economic stimulus through infrastructure projects.

----

Also noticed some activity at the Costco site this morning, they were digging with a loader at the gas bar area, so hopefully construction is finally starting, im guessing its prep work for the engineered wetland.

Last edited by cl812; May 20, 2009 at 11:50 AM.
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  #1057  
Old Posted May 21, 2009, 11:16 AM
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Bus company mulls move up the hill
Published Thursday May 21st, 2009
Location | Acadian Coach Lines off to Woodside Lane?
A1
By HEATHER MCLAUGHLIN
mclaughlin.heather@dailygleaner.com

It's not its first choice, but moving to 150 Woodside Lane is an option for Acadian Coach Lines, which is living on borrowed time at its downtown location.

After 23 years at the corner of Regent and Brunswick streets, the company is being evicted from its home.

Its landlord has handed the company a notice to vacate as of April 1, and has tolerated them over-staying their lease temporarily.

The landlord intends to redevelop the site.

"We would love to be downtown, but we just can't find accommodations downtown," said Linda Canney, the company's territory manager for the Fredericton area.

At the city's planning advisory committee meeting Wednesday, approval was given to Moncton-based Acadian Coach Lines' business to be permitted within the highway commercial zone on Woodside Lane.

United Rentals has offered to become the bus company's landlord and can reconfigure its building to create the 335 square metres of space needed for the administrative office, customer seating area, ticket sales location and storage for parcels.

The operation employs three customer sales representatives and a manager.

Although the proposed location off Hanwell Road is less convenient for customers than the downtown area, Canney said 90 per cent of bus passengers come by cab or are dropped off at the bus station because they have luggage.

"They don't travel light," Canney said.

Planning advisory committee member Alan Raynor said the former York Street train station property might be expensive to redevelop, but it would be a choice location for the bus system.

"Would the (Acadian Coach) Lines consider a location, as time permits, probably a little more desirable than this? I assume they would. They're trying to serve their customers," Raynor asked.

"We certainly would," Canney said. "We have been looking for the past five years. There's just no location downtown where we can accommodate our buses, per se. A terminal isn't the issue. It's space for our (buses)."

City council will get the final say on the zoning change needed to allow Acadian Coach Lines to sub-lease from United Rentals.

A new driveway to the property would be located on Serenity Lane with parking for four buses.

The bus terminal would operate from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., seven days a week. During the day, there will also be additional travel to and from the area for the courier service, which also operates from Acadian Coach Lines' office.

Fleet maintenance and repair of buses is done in Moncton.

----

Carriage Hill Drive residents raise concerns about proposed development
Published Thursday May 21st, 2009
A2By HEATHER MCLAUGHLIN
mclaughlin.heather@dailygleaner.com

Fredericton's planning advisory committee has approved an 11-lot subdivision in an R-2 single family zone off Fairview Drive.

But a group of Carriage Hill Drive residents descended on the group's Wednesday evening session to voice wide-ranging concerns about the proposal, from fears about increased traffic to possible risks to their drinking water.

While the proposed subdivision isn't large, it's only the first phase of what will be a multi-year housing development proposed by owner Percy Jones of Temperance Vale.

Carriage Hill Drive residents Brian Steeves and Donald Gorman said they're worried about the destruction of animal habitat, clearcutting, potential for blasting, water runoff down the side hill and possible damage to their well water.

Carriage Hill Drive homes, although within city limits, are at the end of the city line and they have their own wells and septic fields.

Jim Martin of Trainor Surveys Ltd., a spokesman for the developer, said blasting won't be required during the first phase of the subdivision and likely would be the last choice for any developer in a developed area.

Provincial rules require anyone using blasting techniques to have a permit and do pre-inspections of surrounding homes. It also requires costly insurance to protect a developer should nearby homes be damaged.

Those are all good reasons to avoid blasting in an urban area, Martin said.

"We're not anti-development. We're looking for least damage," said Brian Steeves, a spokesman for Carriage Hill Drive homeowners.

"We're concerned with erosion problems."

As the subdvision is built, the residents don't want to see apartment buildings added into the residential housing mix.

Martin said the economy will dictate the rate of development, with the first 11 lots expected to hit the market in 2010 and further development would be driven by market conditions.

Residents were already concerned with tree-cutting, but Martin said trees have to be cut to allow for the survey, engineering and design work to plan the overall property design, even though it will likely take a decade or more to see the next few phases completed.

Residents said they already experience water runoff and soggy basements in the spring.

Planning and engineering department staff told residents that part of the design requirement for the overall subdivision will be storm-water management systems.

The new subdivision will have access to city water and sewer services, and to a storm-water drainage system.

Martin said there should be no impact on wells from the project and the developer is committed to maintaining as much tree cover as possible.

Meanwhile, two Brookside Drive residents are opposed to a rezoning that would turn a piece of single-family residential land into a R-9A zone to allow a 40-unit, low-income apartment building at 543 Brookside Dr.

The planning advisory committee is recommending the project to city council for approval.

Eleanor Sherwood moved to Brookside Drive in 1990 and said she doesn't want to see a four-storey building next door when all her neighbouring dwellings are single-family or townhouse homes.

Another neighbour said the apartment building - which would consist of 40 one-room units with each having one bathroom and a kitchenette - won't fit the neighbourhood.

The developer is Tannery Court Co-operative of Moncton. It's the same company that built a similar low-income, government-subsidized apartment complex on Cliffe Street.

----

Bands helping fill hotels', restaurants' dance cards
Published Thursday May 21st, 2009
A5
By ADAM BOWIE
bowie.adam@dailygleaner.com

Fredericton's hospitality industry is hoping world-class musical entertainment will lure hordes of concertgoers to local hotels, restaurants and bars during the busy summer concert season.

Big-time acts such as The Black Crowes, John Prine, Susan Tedeschi, Live, Los Lobos, Stompin' Tom Connors and others have booked shows in the capital region over the next few months - some as part of the Harvest Jazz and Blues Festival and FredRock 2009.

Geoff Gallant, rooms division manager at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, said that means the hospitality industry is expecting to see hotel rooms filled, restaurants hopping and dance floors crowded for most of the summer and early fall.

"Any time you have concert events and big names in entertainment tied to the city, it's beneficial for a lot of people in this industry," he said.

"From a regional perspective, it draws people from other regions to your city, and it also draws people from outside your area into the city."

Gallant said people have been booking rooms at the Crowne Plaza Hotel well in advance to prepare for their entertainment plans.

"The Harvest festival sells out months in advance at this hotel," he said.

"We're sold out two or three of those nights already, and we're starting to see some demand for rooms during the FredRock weekend. The word is out that The Black Crowes are coming and people are busy booking their rooms."

He said having a number of concerts in a row helps solidify Fredericton's reputation as one of the province's entertainment hubs.

"It builds on the reputation of the city as a venue," he said.

"The buzz will continue to attract other big names. Other cities in the province have done it quite well over the past few years, particularly Moncton, but it's great to see Fredericton build up its own demand."

Wes Ward, who owns and operates The Capital Complex, said having talented performers visit the city will also help venues who host live music reap the rewards.

He said the crowds will want to continue the fun by taking in local performers at downtown clubs after the events have finished.

"Any time you can get a high density of people going to one certain event, whether it's at The Playhouse or for a music festival, we definitely see an increase in business," he said.

"If these festivals can bring 10,000-15,000 people who love music to the city, the spinoffs will be significant for hotels, businesses and restaurants."

Jesse Demers, the head chef at Isaac's Way on Carleton Street, said he's hoping to capitalize on the many concerts scheduled to hit Fredericton this summer.

Demers said these events attract new visitors to local eateries, help waiters and waitresses earn extra tips, and generate increased revenues for business owners.

"It's definitely going to help our industry out," he said.

"The way the economy is going, every little bit helps."

He said the restaurant occasionally plans special menus or prices to coincide with downtown events in an effort to entice new patrons into the establishment

----

Ice-time demands support keeping York Arena
Published Thursday May 21st, 2009
Study | Mabie looking to secure proof that tearing down facility is not the way to go
B1By BILL HUNT
hunt.bill@dailygleaner.com

Chris Mabie, part of a group of citizens anxious to keep the York Arena open past its 2011 expiry date, is in the final stages of completing a study that he believes will demonstrate the need to keep the historic arena open.

He said he has contacted several potential user groups who have indicated there won't be enough ice to meet their needs if the city carries through with its plan to decommission the York Arena once the Grant*Harvey Centre opens on the city's south side.

"The demand for ice is exceeding our expectations," said Mabie. He said anyone whom he has not contacted can reach him at 447-8144 or via a newly established email address, looking4ice@hotmail.com.

"Our belief is that, with demand as great as it is, one surface won't do it."

The Grant*Harvey Centre will have two ice surfaces, but one will be an Olympic size surface devoted primarily to speedskating.

"The city themselves recognize that they're 45 hours short (in fulfilling demand for ice time). We're doing a very, very thorough study,'' said Mabie.

"We're contacting the groups and asking them to back it up with a letter stating their needs," he said. "Our main objective is to make sure we don't miss anybody. We want to hear from individual users too...if some guy and his friends have been looking for time late on a Thursday night and have been unsuccessful, we want to hear from them.

"We want to find out exactly how great the shortage is. Anyone who would like to express their frustrations or their needs, we'd like to hear from them."

Mabie plans to attend the Fredericton Youth Hockey Association's annual general meeting tonight at 7 p.m. at the Killarney Lake Lodge.

He said once the study is completed, the findings will be presented to the city.

"I wanted to get the bulk of the study done," he said. "Frankly, if the need's not there, there's no point in carrying on. Our first objective was to establish need, which we've done, I assure you."

Mabie believes it will take another week to assemble the data for presentation to the city councillors.

"Quite frankly, I think they'll get their eyes opened," he said. "I'm not convinced they're at all aware of how significant the usage issue is.

" I think an in depth study had to be done and the only way to do that is to call people and engage them,'' said Mabie.

"Some people have stopped looking for ice entirely, and you have to take those people into consideration.

"I had a guy tell me he used to apply for ice, but he stopped four or five years ago because it was fruitless. There's a lot of that out there. I'm shocked at how great it is."
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Old Posted May 21, 2009, 12:12 PM
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The city is really going to have to give the CMA thing a rest. Fredericton just doesn't qualify yet. A census agglomeration population of 85,000 is well and good, but you need at least 100,000 to qualify. Not to mention that one has to wait a full census period after qualifying before being fully counted.


On a different note. What are the plans for Albert Street School when Bliss Carmen is finished?
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Old Posted May 21, 2009, 12:58 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mylesmalley View Post
On a different note. What are the plans for Albert Street School when Bliss Carmen is finished?
I believe they are going to tear it down and use it for the Y/City/UNB indoor pool.
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Old Posted May 21, 2009, 2:24 PM
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I agree, Fredericton should give it up for the time being, however, I personally think Oromocto and Burton should be included in the Fredericton CA
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