Sydney Developments

[Joev]

Which part of Cape Breton is Melbourne in again?

[RoloTony]

I'm from Sydney too, I was amazed to see all the new ideas for here. I was making 3d renderings of buildings in Google earth for Sydney.
is there any for sure plans for any of these buildings? by the way they should really build something on the other side of the Cambridge suites.

[RoloTony]

I'm from sydney too, I was amazed to see all the new ideas for sydney. I was making 3d renderings for buildings in google earth for sydney.
is there any for sure plans for any of these buildings?

[Smevo]

Rather than try to catch up from where I left off, I'll just work on updating from the past month over the weekend. To catch up on the stuff in the middle, visit the SSP thread or check out the newly edited first post to this one.

[Smevo]

http://www.capebretonpost.com/Busine...es-to-expand/1

Regional hospital continues to expand

Published on June 21st, 2010
Staff ~ The Cape Breton Post


SYDNEY — The Cape Breton Regional Hospital continues to expand, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony this week for new space to accommodate various clinics.

The $2.9-million expansion on level three includes renovations in the former renal dialysis area and new construction over the roof of the hospital’s main entrance.

The expansion provides additional space for clinics — including chronic pain, acute pain, heart function, anti-coagulation, sleep labs and respiratory therapy clinics — and medical education and support services such as the family medicine residency program.

...

[Smevo]

http://www.capebretonpost.com/Busine...ocal-economy/1

Clipper stopover helped boost local economy

Published on June 22nd, 2010
Staff ~ The Cape Breton Post


SYDNEY — The stopover of participants in the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race in Sydney last week is estimated to have added $1 million to the island economy, according to an initial assessment by Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation.

In addition, there is a commitment to create a trade corridor with the United Kingdom which represents a multimillion-dollar opportunity for Cape Breton seafood companies to help meet demand from processors in the U.K.

John Lynn, CEO of Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation (ECBC), said he is encouraged by early indications of a significant economic impact.

As one example, Lynn points to Governor's Pub and Eatery, which did unprecedented business over the 10-day Clipper port stopover.

...

[Smevo]

I had suspected this started construction, but hadn't heard anything official, and now it's finished. It also mentions the Hampton by Hilton starting construction soon (I'm assuming 3-4 storeys on this one considering what the other Hampton by Hiltons look like) and several other new developments in Membertou.

http://www.capebretonpost.com/News/L...d-to-success/1

roadMembertou Chief Terry Paul drives a Mustang convertible with Premier Darrell Dexter in the passenger seat during the official opening of the Membertou Connector Road on Wednesday. Steve Wadden - Cape Breton Post

Membertou’s road to success
New connector road linking Kings Road to George Street expected to pave way for new business and development opportunities

Published on June 23rd, 2010
Chris Shannon



MEMBERTOU — A road linking Kings Road to George Street through Membertou First Nation will bring with it endless economic possibilities, says Chief Terry Paul.

...

Constructing the 2.2-kilometre road, which is an extension of the intersection at Churchill Drive and Alexandra Street, allowed for the building of the Membertou Business Centre — the first new development on what’s being called the Membertou Connector Road.

But as people settled into their seats beneath a reception tent for the announcement, a program and package laid out on guests’ seats described Membertou’s current business operations and its future developments.

They contained detailed descriptions of the Membertou Arena, Membertou Insurance Brokers, and the $15-million Membertou Hampton Inn and Suites, which will break ground next week across from the Membertou Trade and Convention Centre.

A map of Membertou also shows spaces along the new connector road where a future health centre is planned and a site for the future band office.

...

[Smevo]

http://www.capebretonpost.com/News/L...ent-from-DND/1

Tom Ayers - Cape Breton Post

Workers with EnviroBate Environmental Remediation Services continue to dismantle 40 housing units on the former radar base in Whitney Pier on Thursday, the same day officials with New Dawn Enterprises announced a $7.3-million settlement with the Departmen

New Dawn Enterprises receives $7.3-million settlement from DND
Former radar base in Whitney Pier being cleaned up, owner compensated

Published on June 24th, 2010
Staff ~ The Cape Breton Post



SYDNEY — Officials with New Dawn Enterprises were all smiles Thursday as they announced receipt of a $7.3-million settlement with the Department of National Defence over demolition work at the former radar base in Whitney Pier.

The compensation agreement comes six years after the community economic development agency discovered its Pine Tree Park property formerly owned by DND was contaminated with home heating oil.

The government is currently conducting an $11.2-million cleanup on the site that includes demolition of 40 housing units and soil remediation.

...

http://www.capebretonpost.com/News/L...om-tar-ponds/1

Agency ordered to better manage odours emitting from tar ponds

Published on June 24th, 2010
Tom Ayers


SYDNEY — The agency in charge of the tar ponds cleanup is working on its odour management plan and will meet the June 30 deadline set by the provincial Environment Department to better manage smells emanating from the site.

The department began receiving increased calls in April from area residents about strong odours coming from the work site, peaking at 10 calls in 10 days near the end of May.

The government regulator issued a three-part directive June 3 requiring the agency to enhance its odour management plan, upgrade air monitoring, which could include mobile equipment that can take air samples around civic addresses where complaints are made, and hold weekly meetings with the department and the contractor to address odour issues.

Sydney Tar Ponds Agency spokesperson Tanya Collier MacDonald said Wednesday that contractors working on the stabilization and solidification of the south tar pond are now using two kinds of foam to dampen odours as they mix tar pond sludge with cement.

One foam is applied during mixing and the other creates a foam crust over top of the mixture to contain further smells.

...

[Smevo]

http://www.capebretonpost.com/News/L...awford-Chair/1

Greg McNeil - Cape Breton Post

In honour of Don Arseneau and Elmer Britten, the former A-Wing and home of the School of Science and Technology was renamed the Arseneau-Britten Science Building. Mary Britten, far right, represented the late Elmer Britten at the ceremony. Also shown, fro


CBU v-p named first Purdy Crawford Chair
Cape Breton University creates three new chairs in aboriginal studies, accounting and social justice


Published on June 25th, 2010
Greg McNeil


SYDNEY — Taking the Membertou success story from coast to coast will be one of the immediate goals of the Purdy Crawford Chair in Aboriginal Business Studies at Cape Breton University.

The chair was created to promote interest among Canada’s First Nations people in the study of business.

...

Brown said the program will incorporate what First Nations leaders have told CBU officials about their belief in self-reliance as the next step in economic growth for their communities.

This goal can be achieved through the education of the next generation of business leaders.

A second goal will be to combine information obtained from communities with CBU’s aboriginal studies and its Centre for Sustainability and Energy in the Environment to enhance the university’s business curriculum.

...

When I first saw the headline and some of the accusations, I rolled my eyes a bit, but it raises a valid point.
http://www.capebretonpost.com/Opinio...-immigration/1

Cape Breton needs to push immigration
With no help from province, community must make effort

Published on June 25th, 2010
Letters to the Editor (The Cape Breton Post)
[ Greg MacLeod
director,
Tompkins Institute,
Cape Breton University]


There is something seriously wrong with government policy on immigration in Cape Breton. We are simply forgotten. The statistics tell an alarming story.

In 2009, the Cape Breton Regional Municipality had only five immigrants; Halifax had 2,077 .

Even Yarmouth had more than CBRM – 17. Guysborough also had more. In fact, of all the counties in Nova Scotia, Cape Breton County had the lowest intake of immigrants.

Prince Edward Island, which has a smaller population than Cape Breton Island, had 1,941 immigrants during that year.

Provincial government officials say the explanation is that Cape Breton is small and Halifax is big, but Prince Edward Island is smaller than Cape Breton.

We have evidence of at least one immigrant who applied to come to Cape Breton but was met with shock by immigration officials in Halifax. They suggested there was not much future in Cape Breton.

...

It is shocking to many of us that there are no government officials charged with immigration recruitment in Cape Breton.

It is true that Cape Breton County Economic Development Authority has hired a person to help new immigrants navigate through the local systems if immigrants happen to arrive, but CBCEDA does not recruit. If I were paranoid I would suspect that CBCEDA was told not to recruit.

Fortunately, regional council along with CBRM staff have made immigration a priority. The Tompkins Institute at Cape Breton University is now committed to working with CBRM to recruit immigrants.

At CBU, we have more than 400 foreign students. Many want to stay in Cape Breton.

...

Since 1975, when the provincial government declared Halifax a growth centre, the story has been the same. Statistics speak for themselves.

It is strange that we have so many elected representatives and so many government-funded institutions in Cape Breton responsible for economic development and not one has recognized the recruitment of immigrants as an important strategy.

Are the government-supported institutions asleep or are we, the population, asleep?

...

I'm a little wary of some of the implied accusations above, but again the point is valid that something has to be done.

[Smevo]

http://www.capebretonpost.com/Living...for-everyone/1

New-look museum offers a little something for everyone


Published on June 27th, 2010
Julie Collins

NORTH SYDNEY — The North Sydney Heritage Museum, which is open for the season, is a welcome retreat into the past for locals and visitors to the area.

The museum will move from its present location on the bottom floor of the former Bank of Nova Scotia building on Commercial Street, to the Cultural and Heritage Centre presently under construction next door. The venue is expected to be completed in the fall.

Along with the museum, the cultural centre will house the North Sydney branch of the Cape Breton Regional Library, North Sydney Senior Citizens Club and a number of other offices including that of the local MLA.

The museum is home to a myriad of artifacts dealing with North Sydney's past, including the history of the harbour in pictures and print, the Western Union Office, politicians, police and fire departments, families and the contribution of the town's citizens to the First World War and Second World War.

...

[Smevo]

http://www.capebretonpost.com/Busine...-Centre-open/1

Submitted by Owen Fitzgerald
membertou

New Membertou Business Centre open


Published on June 28th, 2010
Staff ~ The Cape Breton Post

MEMBERTOU — The Membertou Entrepreneur Centre and the Unama’ki Economic Benefits Office are now located under one roof in the new Membertou Business Centre.

Both facilities were officially opened by Premier Darrell Dexter and Sarah Filbee, assistant deputy minister with Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, who were joined by Membertou Chief Terry Paul.

...

[Smevo]

http://www.capebretonpost.com/News/L...ite-launched/1

Mi’kmaq language website launched

Published on July 1st, 2010
Staff ~ The Cape Breton Post

SYDNEY — Organizers of a new website hope their creation can leave lasting footprints on the Mi’kmaq education process.

Started three years ago, www.jilaptoq.ca is an interactive, web based learning tool for the Grade 7 provincial Mi’kmaq curriculum.

Named for a Mi’kmaw verb meaning making or leaving footprints, the site’s purpose is to help to keep the Mi’kmaq language alive.

...

Among other features, the 6,000 plus word dictionary helps learners develop the skill of distinguishing individual words when they are spoken in a phrase.

The Mi’kmaq and English site also includes talking posters, story books, videos and curriculum material.

...

Although the site was initially designed to assist Grade 7 students, it will be of use to all Mi’kmaw and non-Mi’kmaw educators teaching Mi’kmaw language and culture.

A second component, a Mi’kmaq language lab, developed by CBU and the Mi’kmaq College Institute will open this fall.

...

http://www.capebretonpost.com/News/L...mes-swimmers/1

Dominion beach welcomes swimmers

Published on July 1st, 2010
Sharon Montgomery-Dupe

DOMINION — After a four-year wait, Dominion beach has officially reopened.

District 5 Coun. Darren Bruckschwaiger said at about 3 p.m., Wednesday he received official word that the ban on swimming at Dominion beach was lifted.

...

Feldman received a letter from Dr. Maureen Baikie, acting medical officer of health, confirming water quality results for samples collected at the beach June 21 and June 29 were assessed against Health Canada recreational water quality guidelines and determined satisfactory for recreational water use, including swimming.

Bruckschwaiger expects the beach will soon be packed.

...

Dominion beach has been closed since July 2004 because of elevated levels of fecal bacteria in the water. A $20-million sewage treatment plant which opened about 10 weeks ago treats the sewage for 1,300 homes, that sewage had previously been dumped into the ocean.

Bruckschwaiger said although the beach has been closed completely for four years, for two to three years prior it was temporarily closed off and on, due to unsatisfactory water test results.

...

[Smevo]

http://www.capebretonpost.com/News/L...ine-Atlantic/1

North Sydney to get new ferry terminal: Marine Atlantic

Published on July 5th, 2010
Staff ~ The Cape Breton Post

NORTH SYDNEY — The federal government is investing $521 million over the next five years to revitalize Marine Atlantic and renew its fleet and shore facilities at North Sydney, and Port aux Basques and Argentia, N.L.

As part of the investment, North Sydney will get a new ferry terminal.

...

Will edit in the story with more details if it comes online.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________
Edit below:

http://www.capebretonpost.com/News/L...North-Sydney/1

From left, Rob Crosbie, board of directors chair for Marine Atlantic, Cecil Clarke, MLA for Cape Breton North, and Rob Merrifield, minister of State for Transport, spoke at the ferry terminal in North Sydney after a funding announcement, Monday. Steve Wad

Feds announce new Marine Atlantic ferry terminal for North Sydney

Published on July 5th, 2010
Julie Collins

NORTH SYDNEY — The federal government is investing $521 million over the next five years to renew Marine Atlantic’s fleet and improve shore facilities at the ports of North Sydney, and Port aux Basques and Argentia in Newfoundland.

North Sydney will get a new terminal building, upgrades to the dock area and new terminal equipment. The design work is underway for the North Sydney site. Although it hasn’t been decided, the area being looked at for the terminal is next to Commercial Street, which would provide access to the downtown.

The terminals and the dock facilities in Port aux Basques and Argentia will receive upgrades and new terminal equipment.

...

http://www.capebretonpost.com/News/L...t%3A-Corbett/1

Staff staying on top of harbour dredging project: Corbett

Published on July 5th, 2010
Chris Hayes

SYDNEY — Nova Scotia Deputy Premier Frank Corbett says his staff is working to keep a proposed dredging project for Sydney harbour on the front burner for the federal cabinet ministers who were approached for funding.

Corbett said Monday staff members in his office are staying in close contact with officials in the offices of National Revenue Minister Keith Ashfield, who is also the minister for ACOA and the Atlantic Gateway, and Defence Minister Peter MacKay, who is also the minister responsible for Nova Scotia.

“It’s really a staff to staff level,” he said Monday. “We are on standby and if things start to move, then it will move more to elected official to elected official. I think it’s almost somewhere on a line between being persistent and being obstinate is what it is. We keep reminding our federal partners of the importance of this to the CBRM and indeed, for all of the province, and we have to say we are still in this. Is there any help we can (offer)?”

...

[Smevo]

I think Wal Mart and Sobeys leaving the mall have turned out to be the best thing that could have happened to Mayflower, which is complete opposite to what's happened to other malls these retailers have left.
http://www.capebretonpost.com/News/L...-new-tenants/1

New mall annex looking to attract new tenants

Published on July 8th, 2010
Greg McNeil

SYDNEY — Strides are being made to woo one of the most recognizable retailers in running paraphernalia to Cape Breton.

The people behind the yet to open and only recently named Grand Lake Crossings, a strip mall annex to the Mayflower Mall, are actively campaigning to have the Running Room as one of the new mall’s tenants.

...

No date has been set for the strip mall’s opening, but some stores are expected to open in November.

In the coming weeks details on construction schedules, tenancies and a projected opening will be released.

The strip mall will be located at the corner of Grand Lake Road and Sydney Port Access Road on lands facing Mayflower Mall.

Its construction relates to capacity issues at the Mayflower Mall, where several new clothing retailers and shops have recently opened.

Stokes, considered the country’s largest tabletop and giftware chain retailer, is the latest to commit to Mayflower Mall. It’s expected to open this fall.

...

Dominion Beach just re-opened, and it's already busy from the sounds of it.
http://www.capebretonpost.com/News/L...gh-for-ya%3F/1

People trying to beat the heat flocked to beaches across Cape Breton on Thursday as temperatures soared above 30 C. A lifeguard scanned Dominion beach as hundreds of people soaked up the sun and cooled off in the ocean. Steve Wadden - Cape Breton Post

Hot enough for ya?
Mercury soaring in Cape Breton as hot, sunny weather arrive

Published on July 8th, 2010
Laura Jean Grant



SYDNEY — The hot, sunny summer weather you dreamt of in mid-February has arrived.

Beaching, barbecuing and finding ways to beat the balmy heat have all been popular activities over the last few days as daytime highs hover around the 30 C, and even higher when factoring in the humidity.

The mercury soared Thursday to 30 C in Sydney and 31 C in Port Hawkesbury. In both locations it felt like 36 C with the humidity.

...

http://www.capebretonpost.com/Living...ur-to-Sydney/1

Nova Scotia doctors leading by example — bringing bike tour to Sydney

Published on July 8th, 2010
Greg McNeil



SYDNEY — Leading by example, a group of provincial health-care professionals will take their bicycle tour to Cape Breton this month to promote heart health.

The fourth annual Heartland Tour will see cardiologist and tour founder Dr. Nicholas Giacomantonio take to the streets and highways of Nova Scotia with 30 like-minded cyclists.

...

The tour begins Saturday in Halifax and arrives in Sydney Wednesday.

The longest Cape Breton ride is a 50 km spin that leaves the Archibald Wharf in North Sydney at 9 a.m. The Cape Breton stop also includes rides modified to be kid and family friendly.

If riders don’t wish to partake in the main ride, a 20 km trek leaves North Sydney later in the morning to meet the main group at the old co-op store at the lights in Bras d’Or around 11:10 a.m.

A 44 km option sees riders leave Sydney for North Sydney to meet the group for a 12:15 p.m. departure back to Sydney.

An 11 km ride departs the Civic Centre in Sydney to meet the main group at the Superstore in Sydney River at 1:15 p.m., while a 10 km family ride departs the Civic Centre in Sydney at 2 p.m.

The final ride of the day is a kids event at 5 p.m. at Wentworth Park.

Visit www.heartlandtour.ca for more ride details.

...

[Smevo]

http://www.capebretonpost.com/News/2...s-completion/1

First and likely smelliest phase of tar ponds project nears completion

Published on July 9th, 2010
Greg McNeil

SYDNEY — The first and likely smelliest phase of the tar ponds remediation project is nearing completion.

The Sydney Tar Ponds Agency told media Friday the south pond solidification and stabilization project had reached the 70 per cent completion mark.

...

Burke said 836 of the 1,200 anticipated cells in the south pond are now solidified and stabilized. Each of those cells encompasses about 200-250 cubic metres of material.

Although pleased with that number, he said 12 of 90 cells in the pond’s northeast corner did not pass performance criteria.

Because all cells must pass, those 12 must be reworked over the next few weeks.

...

Contractors will excavate the 12 cells that need to be reworked and crush them before remixing the material with water and cement to meet performance criteria.

Diane Ingraham, quality contracts manager for the STPA, said performance criteria includes such things as unconfined compressive strength.

“The second is for permeability or hydraulic conductivity,” she said. “That tells us how fast water will move through the material once it has been solidified and that is very slow.”

A third criteria, known as leachate, has fluid flow through the material to see what chemicals come out the other side.

...

[Smevo]

Mayflower gets another new tenant!
http://www.mayflowermall.com/view_event.asp?id=454

JACOB Opening in Fall 2010
Brands include: JACOB, JACOB Connexion, JACOB Lingerie, JOSEF and DANZ.

Jacob offers clothing, lingerie, accessories and beauty products for women.

Jacob, recognized as a leader on the Canadian women’s apparel market for the past 30 years, will operate in a 3,500-square-foot unit.

...

I'm still waiting to hear who the tenants will be in the newly named Grand Lake Crossings. There's one that if they don't show up there, I would be very surprised since I heard from a representative of the company that they would be locating in Sydney "fairly soon".

http://www.capebretonpost.com/Busine...pill-cleanup/1

Cape Breton-based company to aid in oil spill cleanup

Published on July 11th, 2010
Erin Pottie

SYDNEY — A private company that recently set up shop in Cape Breton is sending technology products to the United States to be used in the Gulf of Mexico oil spill effort.

Analytical testing equipment manufactured by J&K Scientific in the Sydport Industrial Park is being used by a U.S. federal agency involved in the Gulf spill containment efforts.

J&K is founded by former Cape Breton University professor, Krishnat Naikwadi, who relocated the company’s headquarters to Sydney from Milton, Ont., two months ago.

J&K manufactures advanced gas chromatograph (GC) columns that are sold internationally for use in analyzing liquid samples to detect the presence of certain families of chemicals.

...

[Smevo]

http://www.capebretonpost.com/Living...nto-new-home/1

Julie Collins - Cape Breton Post

Matthew Lovell, left, and Danny MacNeil of Armour Concrete Sawing & Drilling didn’t run into any problems drilling for the connection to the main water and sewer for North Sydney’s new cultural and heritage centre.

Historical society planning its move into new home


Published on July 14th, 2010
Staff ~ The Cape Breton Post

NORTH SYDNEY — The North Sydney Historical Society is working on plans for the move into its new quarters in North Sydney’s new cultural and heritage centre, now under construction on Commercial Street.

Contractor Joneljim Concrete Construction Ltd. began construction of the $2-million building on the site of the former town hall in March. The cultural centre will house the North Sydney branch of the Cape Breton Regional Library, the heritage museum, local senior citizens club, BIDA and the office of Cape Breton North MLA Cecil Clarke.

The library will take up about 27,000 sq. ft., while the museum and seniors club will have 25,000 sq. ft. each. The seniors will be on ground level at the back of the building.

...

The rest to come later this weekend.

[Smevo]

http://www.capebretonpost.com/News/L...r-to-reality/1

Greg McNeil - Cape Breton Post

Cranes placed four of nine pieces of the new chapel for the Cove Guest Home on a foundation, Thursday. The 150-year-old church was donated by the Congregation of St. Mark’s Church to the Cove Guest Home Foundation.

Cove chapel one step closer to reality


Published on July 15th, 2010
Greg McNeil

SYDNEY — Piece by piece, a place of worship for guests of the Cove Guest Home are moving into place.

Large cranes placed four of nine pieces of St. Mark’s Church, which was formerly located in Coxheath, on a foundation adjacent to the guest home in Sydney, Thursday.

The 150-year-old church was donated by the congregation of St. Mark’s to the Cove Guest Home Foundation.

...

http://www.capebretonpost.com/Busine...ergy-venture/1

Membertou partners with Spanish company on renewable energy venture

Published on July 15th, 2010
Staff ~ The Cape Breton Post



HALIFAX — Membertou is continuing to expand its business interests, this time by entering into a partnership with a Spanish company in a renewable energy venture.

The First Nation community announced this week it has entered into a partnership with GrupoGuascor, to market renewable energy solutions in North America. GrupoGuascor is a global player in renewable energy technologies, specifically solar, wind, bio-energy equipment and applications. The partnership will market a range of renewable energy technologies including equipment designed specifically for small rural communities and remote parts of the continent.

In Canada, the initial focus will be on Nova Scotia, where the province has unveiled its renewable electricity plan to encourage development of renewable energy projects by First Nations and local municipalities. The province’s goal is to increase renewables by 25 per cent by 2015.


...

[Smevo]

http://www.capebretonpost.com/News/L...-tender-call/1

Tar ponds remediation moving to next phase with tender call

Published on July 20th, 2010
Greg McNeil


SYDNEY — Tenders have been requested for the latest portion of a project designed to take the tar ponds from an environmental disaster to a green space.

The next stop in the $400-million cleanup of the tar ponds and coke ovens will see the creation of a protective cap over treated tar ponds sediment.

...

The project will allow the reclamation of 97 hectares of land for future green space development.

More than 70 per cent of the south pond, located between Prince Street and the Ferry Street Bridge, has already been solidified and stabilized.

Treatment of the entire pond is expected to be completed in August, followed by the construction of a channel to allow brook water and groundwater to flow through the site and into Sydney harbour.

“The cap can follow along with the channel because the channel doesn’t have to be complete for the cap to begin.”

The cap project, valued between $15-20 million, will include a grading/bedding layer, a geosynthetic clay layer, a geocomposit drainage layer, protective fill, topsoil and hydro seed.

Also designed to direct rain and groundwater into the engineered channel, the cap is considered the third step in a series of projects leading to the future development of the remediated site.

[Smevo]

http://www.capebretonpost.com/News/L...-on-schedule/1

Renovations to Centre 200 are continuing throughout this summer in line for a completion date near the middle or the end of September. From left, Paul Forget and John Forget are shown installing new signage in private boxes, while George MacLeod solders p

Centre 200 renovations proceeding on schedule


Published on July 25th, 2010
Greg McNeil


SYDNEY — Action inside and out has replaced concert and sporting event activities as a $1.5-million facelift for Centre 200 continue toward a September completion date.

The improvements, cost-shared by all three levels of government, began last year and will increase seating and update the look of the 23-year old facility when completed.

...

The project began in 2009 when a new video scoring system was installed and washroom facilities modernized.

Private boxes and club seating are the main focus of the current round of renovations.

From the rear parking lot large holes cut for new windows can be seen. Brewer said they’ll allow for natural light to filter into the 13 new private boxes.

A large recently constructed concrete pillar can also be seen from the parking lot. It’s part of a new stair system to allow for a second exit from the private boxes.

Those stairs are scheduled to be installed next week.

Inside the building, new club seating is being created at the location of the old private boxes.

“They are just a premium tiered seating as opposed to being in an individual box, which are 10-12 seats and sold corporately. The club seating is sold on an individual seat basis.”

The new private boxes and club seating combined with a section of seats returned to the lower bowl of the facility will bring seating capacity to 5,000 for hockey games.


...