Official Fredericton, NB projects thread

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City selling land on Regent Street to developers
Published Monday January 31st, 2011
A5
By HEATHER MCLAUGHLIN
mclaughlin.heather@dailygleaner.com

The City of Fredericton is selling land to two local developers so they can build a 32-unit building alongside their eight-unit brick apartment building at the corner of Beaverbrook and Regent streets.

City council recently approved the deal which will see George and Stephen Thompson buy about 700 square metres of city-owned land for $100,800.

As part of the land transaction, the city will acquire about 74 square metres at the high-traffic intersection at 629 Beaverbrook St.

The city had purchased property at the intersection when it undertook street improvements several years ago, but because it had to buy more land than it needed at the time in order to upgrade the intersection, it has been looking to shed the surplus property.

The city initiated talks with the Thompson brothers to buy its land in order to redevelop their eight-unit property at that corner.

The Thompsons plan to keep their older brick building, renovate it into six units and redesign the roof in order to blend it in with their proposed 32-unit building. The new apartment building will have underground parking.

The application for a rezoning to R-9A from R-7 has been approved by the city's planning advisory committee, but it has yet to complete city council's approval process. That will start Feb. 14 with the public presentation of the proposed bylaw. At that meeting, a date will be set for a public hearing of objections followed by dates for three bylaw readings which results in final approval.

The zoning change to R-9A from R-7 is needed in order to permit two apartment buildings to occupy the same piece of land.

A band of neighbours who live near the busy downtown intersection have already protested the scale of the development to the city's planning advisory committee.

Alan and Judy Irvine and Malcolm MacAfee had added their voices to those of Beaverbrook Court residents Linda Crewdson and Chuck Moreland, along with four or five other neighbours.

"I have a great concern over the proposed project directly related to traffic on the street. I have lived on Beaverbrook Street more than 50 years and have seen dramatic changes during that time," MacAfee said in a letter to city council.

"The street is tied up with traffic for almost two hours a day and is in gridlock from 4:30 p.m. until 5:15 p.m. each day."

MacAfee said the structure is mammoth and doesn't fit the rest of the neighbourhood, which is mostly single-family homes.

Crewdson and Moreland raised similar issues when they appeared before the planning advisory committee, suggesting the building is too big for that corner, too close to the street, requires too many variances and will generate too much traffic.

Ed Goguen, the architect designing the apartment building, said safety will be improved at the intersection with the development.

"The sidewalk can be moved back from the corner and the street can be widened even there," Goguen said. "So it's not as close (to the street) as they think it is ... We're doing up a plan that will show that, where the sidewalk is and what is being given back to the city."

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Plan for school a hit
Published Tuesday February 1st, 2011
Investment | Carr says the province is spending more than $15M this year
A1
By ALEXANDRA DAVIS
For The Daily Gleaner

Members of the public and government officials say they're impressed with the plans for a new northside elementary school that were unveiled Monday night.

Parents, students and other members of the community attended an open house at Alexander Gibson Memorial Elementary School.

District 18 Supt. Alex Dingwall said that while plans for the school have been in the works for some time, it was the public's first opportunity to see what the building will look like.

The school will replace South Devon Elementary and Alexander Gibson Memorial Elementary in Marysville. It will be located just off Cliffe Street.

Dingwall said the district is thrilled about the school, which he said will hopefully be finished by September 2012.

"This will be a state-of-the-art facility," he said.

"This school will house over 500 students. Some of the highlights of the facility, in addition to the classroom space we'll have, will include a First Nations facility room, two gymnasiums, a black box theatre, and we have community rooms for groups that want to come in and use the facility."

Isaac Porter, 7, said he'll be attending the new school in 2012 and he's looking forward to it. His brother Seth Porter, 9, will just miss it. Seth said he was still interested in attending the open house and looking at the design.

"I'll just be missing it by a year," Seth said. "We're looking at the plans and it looks pretty cool. I think it's going to be nice."

Education and Early Childhood Development Minister Jody Carr said the government will spend more than $15 million on the school this year.

"It's been a large commitment by the government," he said. "It's going to allow to have a much better school ... and replace two existing, aging schools. I think people are quite excited."

He said he's pleased with the design, which is energy efficient and includes spacious grounds.

Carr said he's confident the school will be finished by September 2012.

"It's very doable," he said. "There's a lot of work that needs to be done, but we specifically put the dollars that were needed - over $15 million - to have it completed over this year and next year.

"It's ambitious, but it's important to have done, to allow the students to have a real exciting place to learn."

Fredericton Fort-Nashwaak MLA Pam Lynch said she campaigned hard for the new school, and she's thrilled that it will soon become a reality.

"We need a new school. They've needed a new school for a long time," she said. "I'm just elated that the day is finally here that we're going to get it.

"I think the students and teachers both will be happy with the plans for the new school."

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No sign yet of convention centre traffic problems
Published Tuesday February 1st, 2011
Real test | City engineer says he's waiting for an event during the day to draw a conclusion
A1
By HEATHER MCLAUGHLIN
mclaughlin.heather@dailygleaner.com

There hasn't been a multi-day event at the city's new convention centre, nor is the city's new convention centre parking garage open to the public full time, but so far two major evening events at the facility haven't resulted in traffic mayhem.

Downtown Fredericton Inc., the business improvement area association that represents the bulk of city centre merchants, asked the city to halt a major reconfiguration of traffic in the downtown east end until there's a better sense of how the convention centre and a hotel to be built over the next couple of years will function.

The city had proposed turning Queen Street into a two-way street between Regent and St. John streets, stripping parking on King and Queen streets and creating a transit lay-by to accommodate traffic in and out of the convention centre. As a result of merchant protests, much of the parking remains and Queen Street is still one-way as part of a modified city traffic scheme.

Two Fredericton Chamber of Commerce-sponsored events in January - the state of the city and the state of the province dinners - attracted more than 500 people for one and almost 900 for the second. The events didn't result in major delays or traffic confusion for attendees.

"We're still of the mind that the changes that were made, particularly in front of the Beaverbrook Hotel (Crowne Plaza Hotel), the traffic lights at Queen and St. John streets and allowing the parking to remain on Queen, we've seen no great problems," said Bruce McCormack, general manager of Downtown Fredericton Inc.

McCormack admitted it's early in the process, but the businesses feel the city's traffic design is functioning well and a lot of parking has been retained.

"Of course, we'll see how the process rolls out," McCormack said. "We're encouraged by the way it's been working."

Darren Charters, traffic engineer with the city's engineering and public works department, said he's pleased with the way the traffic setup is working thus far.

"The events were in the evening. They missed the morning and afternoon (traffic) peak. I think the true test will be when the parking garage opens, when there's a major shift from other parking lots to that area. That's the one that concerns me," Charters said. "Up until this point, we've been pretty happy with the way things have gone.

"St. John and Queen streets has been working fairly well."

It's still an adjustment for drivers who might be feeling frustrated when they're sitting at the new signalized intersection with just one or two cars coming through, but that's the nature of new signals where you didn't have to stop before, he said.

"I haven't heard of any major issues with that intersection. We like to keep an eye on those just to make sure the timings are correct and they're working as intended," Charters said.

Greg Cook, the city's director of special capital projects, said the parking garage won't be fully open to parking until the end of February. The only vehicles in and out of the building have been for special events.

When the garage opens, the city will be charging for parking 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

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Pulling back the blanket
Published Tuesday February 1st, 2011
B9


Recent cold, snowy weather stopped the renovation of the York Street train station and construction of the NB Liquor store. Above, a worker clears snow off the new roof on the train station.

http://nbbusinessjournal.canadaeast....rticle/1375842

[Freddypop]

Published Wednesday February 2nd, 2011

Development | Tenants look for new premises

A5 By HEATHER MCLAUGHLIN

mclaughlin.heather@dailygleaner.com

The proponent of a new, 126-room Hilton Garden Inn in downtown Fredericton should be back before the city's planning advisory committee this winter asking for zoning changes on two additional properties needed for the hotel development.

It looks like the building housing Asia Beef Noodles and other businesses may be removed to make room for the proposed 126-room Hilton Garden Inn. D.P. Murphy Inc. of Prince Edward Island has been in negotiations with the owner of two Queen Street properties, and a tentative deal has been struck that would allow the company to acquire more downtown land for the hotel project by the end of February.

The land deal would see Asia Beef Noodles restaurant looking for a new home.

Other businesses looking for another location would include Clay Cafe, located in the building next door, as is CDS Financial Group.

Upper floors of the Clay Cafe-CDS building are leased to Family Enrichment and Counselling Service Fredericton Inc.

"The hotel developer, Murphy group, has signed an offer to purchase the building that the Asia Noodles (restaurant) is in, plus the one next door to it," said Greg Cook, the city's director of special capital projects and the man who has been overseeing the multimillion-dollar downtown eastend construction projects.

Johnny Le, spokesman for the family-owned Asia Beef Noodles, said its lease doesn't end until January 2012, but he's looking for possible places to relocate the business.

He's looked at a couple of possibilities, but nothing is firmed up, Le said.

Velvet Dore, office manager at CDS Financial Group, said it was notified by its landlord Lincoln Thompson that talks were ongoing for a possible sale of the building, but it hasn't been notified yet about when it'll have to find new digs.

Thompson couldn't be reached for comment.

Last August, Martie Murphy, co-owner of D.P. Murphy Inc., said due to issues with soil in the downtown area, the hotel foundation had to be redesigned for what will be an 11-storey building with a 60-seat restaurant and 30-seat lounge.

Murphy couldn't be reached for comment, but she has said that it will take almost a year to build the hotel once approvals and planning are finished.

The city has already opened its new convention centre as the first component of its $78-million downtown eastend redevelopment venture.

The opening of a downtown parking garage has been delayed awaiting installation of its elevator and some finishing work.

The garage should be ready by the end of February, Cook said.

Later this spring, a $42-million provincial government office building will replace King Street's Centennial Building.

That will see provincial civil servants and the premier's office moved into the city downtown complex.

The province will repay the city for the total cost of the building through a 20-year lease payment plan.

The province hasn't yet announced what it will do with the 1967-era Centennial Building, which requires an extensive retrofit.

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Girder guide
Published Wednesday February 2nd, 2011
B12



The steel frame for the fifth building at the Fredericton Knowledge Park is coming along. Above, two steelworkers fasten a beam into place as it's lowered by a crane recently.

http://nbbusinessjournal.canadaeast....rticle/1376346

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NBCC president impressedwith work on new campus
Published Wednesday February 2nd, 2011
College | Building slated for completion in MarchSynopsis Lede
A8
By STEPHEN LLEWELLYN
llewellyn.stephen@dailygleaner.com

Marilyn Luscombe, the newly appointed president and CEO of the New Brunswick Community College, had her first tour of the new Fredericton community college campus under construction, and she liked what she saw.


Above, Heather Hathaway, principal of NBCC Fredericton, left, and Marilyn Luscombe, NBCC CEO, tour the new Fredericton campus, slated for completion in March.


Officials opened the doors to media of at the NBCC Fredericton campus building, under construction. Above, work progresses in the student commons area.

"This is my first opportunity to see the inner workings of our new site, and it's quite exciting," she said Tuesday.

"It is going to be a great learning environment for students, both in terms of attention to detail ... (and) consolidating services that are important to students so they don't have to go all over the campus ... It is very student-centred."

Luscombe was joined on her hard-hat tour by several members of the media and other community college officials.

The $15-million NBCC building is located on the University of New Brunswick campus beside the Wu Conference Centre.

There's still a lot of work to do on the community college before it's finished in March and students start arriving this fall.

The main hallway is full of workmen, many on step ladders or work platforms, finishing drywall and installing wiring. Exposed light bulbs provide light.

The building has an energy-efficient design, and aluminum window shades, many still in their protective shipping cardboard, are stacked just inside the back door until they can be installed over south-facing windows.

Giant temporary fabric heating ducts fill what will be the main entryway, bringing warm air into the building from a large heater so the workmen aren't slowed down by the cold weather.

Most of the almost-finished classrooms have glass walls along the main corridors so that natural light from the many skylights in the roof can reach studying students.

Some classrooms have skylights to let in natural light and reduce energy use for lighting.

Fredericton community college principal Heather Hathaway said the building is a teaching campus, so parts of the infrastructure - such as pipes and support beams - are left exposed to show engineering students how the building works.

For example, in another hall a large window frame is cut into the wall to show some duct work. Eventually, that frame will be filled with glass.

The two nursing labs for the practical nursing program are starting to take shape.

Eventually, they will look like hospital wards, complete with sinks to teach proper hand washing, although manikins will play the role of patients in the hospital beds, said Nancy Gilliland, NBCC director of administration.

There's an 80-seat, tiered teaching theatre with state-of-the-art audio-visual equipment and a smart board, and the student commons in the main hallway will have a multilevel, curved, cloud-like ceiling, said construction supervisor Scott Sellick.

He graduated from the NBCC Moncton campus in 2009 after studying civil engineering. He now works for Simpson Building Contractors.

NBCC reported in 2009 that a survey found that 95 per cent of NBCC graduates found work. Last year, 150 students in Fredericton graduated from NBCC in nine different programs.

NBCC has just become an independent Crown corporation, and the new Fredericton campus is one of four builds in the province.

"At this time, when we are getting independence, autonomy from government to make our own decisions and create our own way and our own brand, this type of endeavour also helps to heighten excitement and energy," said Luscombe.

"Of course, success also breeds excitement, and the fact that we have grown enrolments this year 7.6 per cent and have the largest enrolment ever in NBCC's long history is an exciting point."

There were 2,806 students enrolled in first-year programs at the NBCC in 2010-11.

Luscombe said that shows the growing need for a college education in New Brunswick.

There are 187 students enrolled in Fredericton.Student parking won't be a problem for the new $15-million Fredericton community college facility, which is located on the University of New Brunswick campus near the Aitken University Centre, says college principal Heather Hathaway.

"We have created additional parking spaces on the campus and certainly we are open to additional discussions as time goes on," she said Tuesday.

That includes a newly cleared section of the Aitken University Centre parking lot, located just behind the community college.

"And there is another area that had been a mud field that we have paved," said Hathaway.

"In the spring you will notice the additional spaces ... Right now they are pretty well hidden."

The community college campus has the capacity for up to 400 students when it opens this fall.

But the final population at the community college will depend on provincial funding in the new budget this winter, said Hathaway.

[OliverD]

Are there any renderings available of the new school?

[cl812]

Originally Posted by OliverD

Are there any renderings available of the new school?

I haven't seen any, but there might be some on the gov'nt website.

[cj6286]

Anyone else notice this, this morning? It doesn't look like a squad car :S

[cl812]

Originally Posted by OliverD

Are there any renderings available of the new school?

http://www.district18.nbed.nb.ca/oth...h-school-plans

heres a couple from the district site:








http://www.district18.nbed.nb.ca/oth...ool-renderings

[OliverD]

Nice, that site has the floorplan and siteplan as well.

I wonder if this will spur some further development in the area. I believe there's only one two empty lots left in Cotton Mill Creek.

[cl812]

Originally Posted by OliverD

Nice, that site has the floorplan and siteplan as well.

I wonder if this will spur some further development in the area. I believe there's only one two empty lots left in Cotton Mill Creek.

Im sure it will, it would be good to see more development on that side of cliff street.

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Local economy continues to lead the way
Published Saturday February 5th, 2011
Unemployment | Cityrate remains far belowprovincial, national levels
A1
By STEPHEN LLEWELLYN
llewellyn.stephen@dailygleaner.com

Fredericton's unemployment rate crept up slightly in January to 5.7 per cent from a revised figure of 5.6 per cent in December, according to new data released by Statistics Canada on Friday.

The capital's unemployment rate is still well below the provincial rate of 9.1 per cent and the national unemployment rate of 7.8 per cent.

"At 5.7 per cent unemployment, that is still a fairly full employment figure," said Susan Holt, CEO of the Fredericton Chamber of Commerce.

The chamber never likes to see any increase in the unemployment rate, she said, but this increase is small.

"Really, it suggests a bit of stability to me, December to January," said Holt.

"There is seasonality that I think we are going to face as we come into the remainder of the winter months."

Fredericton's unemployment rate in November was 5.7 per cent and the January 2010 unemployment rate in the capital was 5.5 per cent.

Trina MacDonald, executive director of Business Fredericton North, said she isn't hearing a lot from her members about unemployment.

"It's been a non-issue for the most part ... We haven't heard of a large number of layoffs in any way," she said.

"Things have remained static and consistent, which is good from our perspective."

MacDonald said there was concern on the north side when a call centre closed in 2010, but those jobs were replaced by a provincial government office in the same location.

"In that case we did have a little blip ... but the impact was not as devastating as it could have been," she said.

"There hasn't been any big decrease in employment on the north side that we are aware of, and that's an important factor for us and our members."

MacDonald also said she isn't hearing any complaints about member businesses having trouble finding employees.

"Our concern is more when university is out and the numbers are higher in people looking for employment," she said.

"That is when we may see some bigger increases."

Statistics Canada notes that geographical boundaries in Moncton and Saint John for their monthly labour surveys have changed, so month-to-month changes should be viewed with caution.

Moncton's January unemployment rate was reported to be eight per cent, up from 7.3 per cent, and Saint John's unemployment rate was 5.7 per cent, up from a revised December figure of 5.3 per cent.

Moncton's unemployment rate for the same month last year was 6.4 per cent, and Saint John's unemployment rate for January 2010 was 7.9 per cent.

New Brunswick's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 9.1 per cent in January, down from 9.4 per cent in December and unchanged from the same month last year.

"We will continue to monitor the situation," Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour Minister Martine Coulombe said in a news release.

"It takes time to reverse trends such as these, but our government will continue to work to encourage business growth and investment in our province."

New Brunswick's labour force, which measures those working or actively seeking work, stood at 388,400 in January, down 2,600 compared to December and down 5,200 compared to the same month last year.

Canada's unemployment rate in January was 7.8 per cent compared to 7.6 per cent in December.

The country had 69,000 more jobs in January, but the number of people looking for work also rose.

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City hall needs $1.5M in repairs
Published Tuesday February 8th, 2011
Masonry | Council to apply to federal program for help
A1
By HEATHER MCLAUGHLIN
mclaughlin.heather@dailygleaner.com

Fredericton city councillors are looking at a repair bill of $1.5 million to restore the masonry at the historic city hall.

P.J. Materials Consultants Ltd. delivered its condition assessment report on the building Monday night at a council-in-committee meeting.

Ontario consultant Paul Jeffs said the scope of the work goes beyond just repointing or filling gaps in the mortar surrounding brick.

Some of it entails reinforcing areas that are suffering stress fractures - for instance around window frames - and the foundation wall of the building requires stabilization.

The 135-year-old brick and sandstone structure was declared a national historic site in 1984. Because of that designation, the city is applying to the federal government for $500,000 to undertake repairs, said Mayor Brad Woodside.

"City hall is an icon," Woodside said. "We have done a comprehensive review of what needs to be done to repair damage caused by many years of wind and rain and snow, and we have a sensible and sustainable plan we are following to get the work done.

"The longer you leave it, the worse it gets," Woodside said. "I think it's very important that it be maintained. We expect to issue tenders for the next major phase of the work in the spring.''

If the city can receive funding from Parks Canada's national historic sites cost-sharing program, it hopes to complete the restoration in three years instead of four. A decision on the city's application is expected in April.

The city is preparing work documents that will allow contractors who specialize in historic masonry work to bid on the large project.

The city is contemplating a restoration and renovation of Phoenix Square, the fountain and the concourse area around city hall once the building is finished.

The city has already spent $86,252 on the back side of the building, hiring Jones Masonry Ltd. to address deterioration problems.

As with any historic building, age is taking its toll on the structure.

Jeffs recommended that the foundation wall and below grade waterproofing of the building be carried out as the next phase.

Part of the problem with the exterior masonry along the upper portions of the building is caused by city hall's metal roof.

The roof doesn't extend far enough beyond the edge of the building and that's allowing water to cascade down and get into joints. When those joints freeze and thaw, cracks become an issue, Jeffs said.

Coun. Jordan Graham wanted Jeffs to separate the essential infrastructure work from more aesthetic concerns.

Jeffs said he would be hard-pressed to find frills in the scope of the work, which is intended to address structural deficiencies.

"We're trying to restore a building. Anything that's done has to be sensitive to the historical nature," he said.

There are some areas of the masonry where previous repairs aren't holding and it does pose a safety risk, he said.

If water creeps in behind the masonry, then it can undermine the structural integrity of the brick and block, Jeffs said.

Postponing repairs will increase costs and as time marches on, it becomes more difficult to find trades with the expertise to undertake repairs to historic structures.

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Windsor Foundation gives $165,000 to new YMCA in city
Published Monday February 7th, 2011
Big project | Construction to be finished this year
B9
By The Daily Gleaner

J.W. (Bud) Bird and Karina LeBlanc, co-chairs of the Your New Y Campaign to build a new Y, are pleased to announce that the Windsor Foundation has contributed $165,000 to the construction of the Y's aquatic centre.

The new aquatic centre will include a 25-metre, four-lane pool with a fully accessible concrete ramp and an 870-square-foot warm water therapeutic pool with a movable floor.

The therapeutic pool is one of the most significant features in the new YMCA building and one of the most versatile.

Its adaptive technology will enable the Y's aquatic program to expand and accommodate children, adults and seniors with a wide range of disabilities and conditions that prevent them from taking advantage of the benefits of aquatic therapy in regular pools.

The floor can be adjusted to a six-foot depth for activities such as deep-water rehabilitation for adults down to two feet in depth for a preschool learn-to-swim program.

The therapeutic pool will be a major community resource and the YMCA will explore partnerships with rehabilitation professionals from organizations such as the Stan Cassidy Centre for Rehabilitation and the Horizon Health Network.

"Considering our recent change in focus following our anniversary, the Fredericton Y's new pool project, which will benefit disadvantaged and challenged youth and seniors in the community, was a great fit for us,"said Paul Dyer, secretary-treasurer of the Windsor Foundation and regional vice-president of Scotiatrust.

The Windsor Foundation recently celebrated its 50th anniversary.

It has established two new key areas of interest to support programs, projects and initiatives in the community that provide services to or benefits for disadvantaged or vulnerable youth, seniors and the physically/mentally challenged and to support innovative higher education programs and initiatives in universities and community colleges.

In addition, foundation grants will be directed to programs, projects or initiatives based in the Maritime provinces.

"The Windsor Foundation's contribution means that more community members will gain swimming skills at the new Y's aquatic centre. In addition to families, proficient swimmers, adult exercisers, and other members of the public, every child in a YMCA childcare program will acquire developmental skills in swimming,'' said Kathy Russell, YMCA CEO.

"Aqua-aerobics classes are in high demand and the therapy pool will provide a much utilized addition to the spectrum of aquatic services available to the community.''

The YMCA is being built at the corner of Albert and York Street and construction is on target for completion by late summer.

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Golf course the priority - Hill Bros.
Published Wednesday February 9th, 2011
A3
By HEATHER MCLAUGHLIN
mclaughlin.heather@dailygleaner.com

A meeting is being held for West Hills residents to talk about the completion of Rebel Ridge Golf Course.

The session has been set for 7 p.m. at Killarney Lake Lodge on Feb. 23. Homeowners will be able to ask questions about the plan to develop the course this spring and about additional plans for a condominium-style building on property between the golf course and Brookside Drive.

Hill Bros. has sent a written notice to all residents of West Hills that title to the golf course lands has been reclaimed from the Business Development Bank of Canada which foreclosed on the property and purchased it for $1 million in April.

Hill Bros. is a local real estate development, apartment rental, home building and commercial leasing firm. It developed the West Hills housing project off Brookside Drive with the intention of having a signature 18-hole golf course available to residents.

As the subdivision progressed, the golf course design and construction ran into roadblocks. The course was supposed to be finished in 2007, but only part of the greens were completed and a clubhouse was never built. Fairways Design and Holdings Inc. and Rebel Ridge Golf Club Ltd., and its principal David Loten, ran into financial difficulty with the project prompting the foreclosure.

Darren Hill, vice-president of Hill Bros., said a group of investors led by Chippins Ltd., Heron Heights Ltd. and Hill Bros. has now been formed with the intention of completing the golf course. A couple of additional investors may be folded into the group.

West Hills Development will own the shares of West Hills Golf in order to complete the 18-hole course.

Hill said in order to raise the capital needed to finish the public golf course, it will be necessary to develop condominiums.

"We identified some surplus land which is adjacent to our existing Hill Bros. land on Brookside, so we combined it and that's what we're proposing. So we want the residents' input because some of it is going to be high density and we don't want to surprise people. We want to get their input."

Residents of single-family housing will be buffered from the proposed apartment-style condos. Between their homes and Brookside Drive, the developer will introduce low-density, garden-style homes with medium-density development bordering Brookside Drive.

Hill said current and future residents of West Hills are welcome. Golfers are also invited to attend the building as the company gathers opinion through informal and open discussions.

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Grant*Harvey Centre delayed until March 2012
Published Thursday February 10th, 2011
B2
By BILL HUNT
hunt.bill@dailygleaner.com

Construction delays have pushed the scheduled completion date for the new Grant*Harvey Centre back to March 2012, said director of community services Wayne Tallon on Wednesday.


This is an artist's conception of the front of the Grant*Harvey Centre, which is scheduled to open in March 2012.

"We just lost two weeks due to the cold weather," he said. "We're going to try to make that up, but, obviously, you've got to tack it on to the schedule. The schedule is still flexible. We're hoping to get it open as soon as we can."

It's unlikely the arena's anchor tenant, the St. Thomas Tommies, will play in the new facility next year.

The Atlantic University Sport regular season runs from October to mid-February. In men's play, the playoff rounds are completed by late February. The Tommies men's team has missed the playoffs in each of the past three seasons.

The women's hockey schedule wraps up at the end of February, with a tournament format used to decide the Atlantic champion in early March.

St. Thomas University is investing "a million plus" for 6,000 square feet of space in the new $21.6 million facility, said Tallon, including dressing rooms and shower areas to accommodate 26 players, and coaches offices for each program, first aid and skate sharpening rooms, a lounge including microwave, fridge and television, and a common 600-square-foot fitness area.

The building will also be the site for the St. Thomas Sports Wall of Fame, with the portraits to be displayed either inside the main lobby or in the building's community room.

Tallon said configuration of the lobby is similar to Willie O'Ree Place but "it's curvatures instead of straight angles," he said. A ticket window/box office is on one side of the lobby and a canteen on the other.

There will be a corridor between the two ice surfaces, one an Olympic-sized 200 x 100 foot surface which will accommodate the Fredericton Speed Skating Club with bench style seating for 500, and the other, the 200 x 85 foot traditional size surface, with 1,465 theatre style seats which will be home to the Tommies and Fredericton High School Black Kats. Parking around the arena will accommodate 709 vehicles.

The floor on the larger surface will be reinforced to handle equipment for trade shows, such as mini homes, boats or vehicles. Tallon estimates the facility will host "three or four" trade shows per year. A full loading dock, with hydraulic lift, "is a nice feature Willie O'Ree doesn't have," he said.

The track around the NHL surface will be three lanes, the inside lane for running, and an enclosed press box with eight locations.

"This is a different building," said Tallon. "Even though the configurations are similar, it's just a different building as far as functionality is concerned, because of the home shows, trade shows, because of St. Thomas..."

The building will be fully licensed. The community rooms will be configured in such a way that a "beer garden" atmosphere can be created, or can be used as a meeting area. The common area between the two facilities, a popular feature at Willie O'Ree, will remain.

Tallon said the southside rink "was always meant to be the regional facility, host to big events. Willie O'Ree was always meant to be the community facility."

The original plan called for the Grant*Harvey arena to have 2,500 seats, but was cut back to 1,500 to trim costs. With standing room, the new rink will accommodate 2,750.

Tallon said at one point, very early in the process, the idea of building a 5,000-seat building was briefly broached.

"But it was an extra $10-$15 million for 5,000 seats," said Tony Hay, the assistant director. "It's not just seats, it's the infrastructure around it,,,washrooms and parking and stuff."

"It changes the whole dynamic," said Tallon.

The Grant*Harvey facility is the centrepiece of a development which includes a lighted field turf soccer/football field called Scotiabank South, the Capital Region Tennis Association bubble and a two-acre dog park. City officials are referring to the area as Scotiabank Park South, a concession to the major sponsor, who has purchased naming rights for 10 years for $1.5 million.

Similarly, the tract of land including Willie O'Ree Place, a new field turf surface slated to be completed Aug. 1, and beach volleyball courts, is being called Scotiabank Park North.

The Lady Beaverbrook Rink, the current home of the Tommies and Black Kats, "will be mostly served with ringette, minor hockey, figure skating and public skating," said Tallon.

The York Arena will remain in operation "right up until September of 2012 or until further notice from council," said Tallon.

[cj6286]

I see the city has added a new webcam for the Grand*Harvey Centre, but what happened to the train station cam?

http://www.fredericton.ca/en/GrantHarveyWebcam.asp

[Freddypop]

Noticed in this mornings Gleaner an ad in the employment section soliciting applications for a Pharmacy Manager and Pharmacists for the COSTCO Freddy location. Looks like all on track for a Fall opening