The Official Moncton, NB Project Thread - Page 414

Sunnybrae · #**8261** Posted **Feb 22, 2011, 1:29 AM**

Can someone in the know please explain to me why they would lengthen the shorter runway? To me, the 8000' runway would have been the more logical choice since it is right alongside the cargo operations and would be less expensive to lengthen. Actually, I thought the 8000' was the main runway...... at least for cargo ops.

MonctonRad · #**8262** Posted **Feb 22, 2011, 2:36 AM**

Look at the bright side, this means that the GMIA will have both 8000 ft and 10,500 ft runways for principle operations.

As to why they did this, I'm not sure but perhaps this has something to do with prevailing winds?

In any event, this means that the GMIA will now be able to handle the largest of jumbo jets. They made a similar announcement today for Halifax Stanfield International as well...

mylesmalley · #**8263** Posted **Feb 22, 2011, 3:29 AM**

Prevailing winds, and apparently it would take an unbelievable amount of fill to extend the other runway due to the topography of the area.

Steelcowboy · #**8264** Posted **Feb 22, 2011, 5:54 AM**

would be nice to set a spotting location along the runways like they have in some European cities....I would love to see the BIG birds come in on a regular basis..747 cargo's or passenger would be nice

mylesmalley · #**8265** Posted **Feb 22, 2011, 11:51 AM**

Hah. Come by my office!

Sunnybrae · #**8266** Posted **Feb 22, 2011, 1:20 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by mylesmalley

Prevailing winds, and apparently it would take an unbelievable amount of fill to extend the other runway due to the topography of the area.

Just read the article in the paper. All my questions were answered. No mention of taxiways but that would cost a pretty penny.

I wish the airport could invest in a spotting area for visitors like asian and european airports. I remember my father taking my brother and I to the airport to watch planes. We loved it. We would park alongside the old terminal building for hours and never be bothered. Today, post 9/11, your asked politely to leave and don't even think about taking a picture of a plane.

macas539 · #**8267** Posted **Feb 22, 2011, 7:37 PM**

Originally Posted by Sunnybrae

Quote:

I remember my father taking my brother and I to the airport to watch planes. We loved it. We would park alongside the old terminal building for hours and never be bothered. Today, post 9/11, your asked politely to leave and don't even think about taking a picture of a plane.

My father used to do the same with me, we would go to the old airport. I remember watching the old Air Nova planes land and some of the larger cargo planes. We would sit there for hours on end! I remember even being given a tour of an Air Canada jet one time....my how times have changed! We went a few days after 9/11 to see planes taking off (there were some huge jets stuck in Moncton that at that time were not normal to see in the city) but we were told to leave quite quickly! I just can't remember if the new terminal was open then or if that was still at the old one....pretty sure it was the old one.

But nowadays if you asked to tour a plane without being a passenger you would be arrested immediately for suspicion of posing a threat to national security.

I do agree though, it would be really nice to have a viewing area at the airport. If it is far enough away I really don't see how it could be of any security threat to the aircraft.

MonctonRad · #**8268** Posted **Feb 23, 2011, 12:03 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sunnybrae

I remember my father taking my brother and I to the airport to watch planes. We loved it. We would park alongside the old terminal building for hours and never be bothered. Today, post 9/11, your asked politely to leave and don't even think about taking a picture of a plane.

I used to take my sons to the old terminal building quite frequently too. It's actually a favourite memory of mine from when they were small. I throw my support in for a viewing area at the airport as well.

Steelcowboy · #**8269** Posted **Feb 23, 2011, 12:39 AM**

Either by the old terminal and adjacent to the ramp could be classified as viewing areas and it can simply be monitored by camera at the old terminal and both camera and RCMP should provide good security for the ramp area, The airport could adapt a similiar project to what the BNSF railway have in the USA...a list of names that frequent trackside areas and can employee these people to contact the RR if something suspicious is found...Citizens on Patrol.
Have people who are genuinly into plane spotting help patrol these areas..for free

the airport/RCMP would just have access to your license plate and phone number in case there were any suspicious activity. I don't know....JUST SAYING

Steelcowboy · #**8270** Posted **Feb 23, 2011, 12:41 AM**

oops....not can "employee" but employ these people (volunteer of course).

macas539 · #**8271** Posted **Feb 23, 2011, 2:33 PM**

I think that Moncton could really use a restaurant "district". The city has retail districts and centres but nothing for restaurants. They are scattered all over the city. I think that a little centre of a bunch of stand alone restaurants should be opened somewhere. And even bring new brands to the city, Moncton has a pretty limited selection of good restaurants.

I would like to see Jack Astors, Alice Fazoolis, Milestones, Baton Rouge, Applebees, maybe even The Pickle Barrel... I think if all of these restaurants--plus some of the ones that are already in Moncton-- opened up in one sort of centre they would do great.

As for the location of this, I'm not really sure, I was thinking along Mapleton as that seems to be a high traffic area that would get a lot of exposure. Also, if there is any land available for development near the Casino, I think it would flourish there and catch a lot of the visitors from that venue as well as highway traffic.

In Toronto there are lots of areas like this. There will usually be a combination of several restaurants and a movie theater right around the corner.

What are your thoughts on this? Do you feel Moncton has a pretty limited restaurant selection?

MonctonRad · #**8272** Posted **Feb 23, 2011, 3:12 PM**

I agree with you about Milestone's (a spectacular roadhouse style restaurant), Applebee's and Jack Astors. Baton Rouge is actually owned by Moncton's own Bernard Imbeault, so I could also see them opening here eventually as well.

As for possible locations for a "restaurant district", I can think of two:

- next to Casino NB (there are actually sites available on Casino Drive where they could be built).
- in association with the proposed downtown arena/events centre.

NBNYer · #**8273** Posted **Feb 24, 2011, 12:14 AM**

Yes, a restaurant "district" would be really nice. Although I wouldn't like to see a power centre style big box agglomeration of restaurant out in the middle of a parking lot. This type of development would be much better downtown. A strip of restaurant terraces facing a side street off Main possibly within the "events centre" as proposed by MonctonRad.

I really enjoyed Crescent st. in Montreal when I lived there and I'm sure something along that line would be great for Moncton, on a smaller scale of course. I would also prefer original restaurants/pubs versus a strip of chain restaurants...in general.

I find terraces in chain restaurants in parking lots, such as on Trinity, very unwelcoming.

josh_cat_eyes · #**8274** Posted **Feb 24, 2011, 3:58 AM**

What about near Montana's, St. Huberts, Tim Hortons and A&W? Extend that road a little father down past the car dealership and build a Milestones, Olive Garden, Kelseys, Red Lobster, Jack Astors, Applebees etc.

mylesmalley · #**8275** Posted **Feb 24, 2011, 4:09 AM**

The big chains all have their selling points, don't get me wrong. But I find that it's hard to find big differences in either the atmosphere or the food. Eventually though, they all just seem to blend together. Montanas is to Red Lobster as Appleby's is to Jack Astor's. I'd much sooner see people support the excellent restaurants we currently have, like the Pumphouse, Mavericks, City Grille, etc.

Obviously there's always room for improvement, but I think the city's food options have gotten much better in recent years. We've got a lot more variety. We've got the quantity.

As for having a restaurant district. I agree that it would be great. But decentralization is the order of the day right now for everything in Moncton. It'd be fantastic to have an entertainment district, one for bars and clubs etc as well.

josh_cat_eyes · #**8276** Posted **Feb 24, 2011, 4:37 AM**

I find it Ironic that Red Lobster is a Seafood Restaurant chain, and there is not even a location in Atlantic Canada or B.C.

gehrhardt · #**8277** Posted **Feb 24, 2011, 12:46 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by josh_cat_eyes

I find it Ironic that Red Lobster is a Seafood Restaurant chain, and there is not even a location in Atlantic Canada or B.C.

It's most likely because local seafood restaurants can provide a fresher, better prepared lobster dinner than a US chain restaurant. It's like comparing Burger King's poutine to the poutine at any small Acadian restaurant.

They're probably smart to stay out of this area.

macas539 · #**8278** Posted **Feb 24, 2011, 3:21 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by gehrhardt

It's most likely because local seafood restaurants can provide a fresher, better prepared lobster dinner than a US chain restaurant. It's like comparing Burger King's poutine to the poutine at any small Acadian restaurant.

They're probably smart to stay out of this area.

I agree, I have tried Red Lobster in Ontario and they really aren't that good. Maybe some people who have never been to the Maritimes and eaten fresh seafood would think it is great. But for me being from the coast, I know what fresh lobster is all about, and Red Lobster just can't compare to some of those fresh seafood restaurants in Fundy or in Shediac!

Haliguy · #**8279** Posted **Feb 24, 2011, 3:36 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by gehrhardt

It's most likely because local seafood restaurants can provide a fresher, better prepared lobster dinner than a US chain restaurant. It's like comparing Burger King's poutine to the poutine at any small Acadian restaurant.

They're probably smart to stay out of this area.

This is very true....they wouldn't be able to compete. Who would go to Red Lobster when there are so many local places with fresh lobster to buy from. There would be no market for Red Lobster and they know that.

kirjtc2 · #**8280** Posted **Feb 24, 2011, 7:49 PM**

Red Lobster actually tried in Bangor in the early 90s and flopped.