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Sydney Developments

51K views 120 replies 16 participants last post by  agfbarra 
#1 · (Edited)

CBRM Meetings Weekly Schedule
CBRM Municipal Planning Strategy and Land Use Bylaw (including North End Sydney Secondary Planning Strategy and North End Viewplanes)
CBRM Active Transportation Plan
CBRM Integrated Community Sustainability Plan

Sydney (Central CBRM) Projects Map
North Sydney-Sydney Mines (Northside) Projects Map

*Thanks to myles_malley for hosting them.

2006 CENSUS
Cape Breton Economic Region: 142,298

CBRM CA: 105,928

CBRM CSD: 102,250

CBRM Urban Areas:
Sydney - 33,012
Glace Bay - 19,968
Sydney Mines (Northside) - 15,500
New Waterford - 9,661



Photos by myself unless credited. Satellite photos created by myself using Google Satellite Imagery.

URBAN CBRM

Red = old city/town limits (except Sydney Mines and Dominion = Green)
Blue = Suburban spillover


RESIDENTIAL

Harbourstone Residence
Under Construction

Bing.com Maps


Google Streetview

I can't make out the rendering on the sign, but the new building is likely to be very similar to the existing ones.

Vista Heights Senior Complex Renovations
Under Construction


Google Streetview


Northside Guest Home Expansion
Under Construction


Google Streetview


Affordable Housing, Sydney Mines
Approved

New Deal Development
20 units
Not sure where on Pitt St it's going.

Spanish Gates
Proposed

Harbour Royale Developments
Trifos Consulting
7 storeys
44 - Condo Units
124 - Hotel Rooms
Rumoured Parking Garage
Currently awaiting approval (since 2006) and facing opposition from the Northend residents. Also has to negotiate around newly imposed viewplanes.

Whitney Pier Affordable Housing
Proposed

New Dawn Development
Remediation Underway


COMMERCIAL

Membertou Hotel - Hampton by Hilton
Under Construction

Bing.com Maps

Membertou Developments
Size currently unknown.

YMCA Renovations
Under Construction



Trifos Consulting

Chandler's Renovations
Under Construction

purpose unknown, possibly offices


Mayflower Mall Renovations
Under Construction


High Peak Development
Mall Website
Since Spring 2007
Expanded:
Music World (closed after Christmas 2007)
Rolling Phones (Aliant)
Mark's Work Wearhouse
Smart Set
Tip Top Tailors
City Streets

New Stores:
Ricki's
Sport Chek
Winners
Future Shop
Fairweather
Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory
Michael's
Urban Planet
East Side Mario's
Telus Mobility
Alia N TanJay
Laura Canada
Olsen Europe
Samuel & Co.
Sports Fanatic
Stokes (coming soon)
Jacob (coming soon)
(locals, if there's an error or I'm missing something, please let me know)


SPAR Rd Power Centre
Under Construction

High Peak Development
Unshaded Building = Home Depot completed 2005
Purple = Wal Mart completed 2006
Red = Canadian Tire completed 2006
Blue = future expansion, second phase under construction
Large area recently cleared in next phase. Costco rumours continue to circulate, however, nothing official announced yet.
Grand Plan for Phase 1 (ie- "Near Future" Plan)
Garth Wilson Ave (main road for Phase 2)


Microtel Inns
Approved


Mayflower Mall Annex
Under Construction

High Peak Development

Northside Downs Renovations
Approved


Fitness Centre
Under Construction

Formerly rumored to be site of new Shoppers Drug Mart

Sydney Shopping Centre Renovations
Under Construction

Google Streetview


Centre 200 Renovations
Under Construction
Press Boxes, Video Scoreboard, and Expanded Capacity to 5,000 among renovation projects. Many of these are expected to be ready for the new QMJHL season.

Planet Space Launch Pad
Proposed
Recent article suggests project is still alive and kicking, and that the site in Alder Point was chosen.

The Keg Steakhouse
Rumoured
Rumours have it opening in the old Joe's Warehouse location, however, building is not officially for sale so this remains nothing more than a rumour at this point in time.


INSTITUTIONAL AND GOVERNMENT


Membertou Health Centre
Proposed
Would go somewhere on newly completed access road.

Membertou Band Office
Proposed
Would go somewhere on newly completed access road.

NSCC Marconi Campus Addition
Approved

Bing.com Maps

$6M two story LEED certified addition.

Boardwalk Extension
Under Construction

CBRM
Part of plan to connect Boardwalk to Wentworth Park and potentially Rotary Park and the Baille Ard Trail.

Northside Elementary
Under Construction


Northside Public Works Building, Northside Industrial Park
Approved

CBRM

Cape Breton Regional Hospital Renovations
Under Construction

Renal Dialysis Unit Expansion (completed 2009)
Cancer Unit (completed 2010)
Pain, Heart, and Respiratory Therapy Clinics and Sleep Lab (completed 2010)

Wentworth Park Renovations
Under Construction

CBRM
Blue = Phase 1, completed 2007

Red = Phase 2, Under Construction


Munro Park Renovations
Approved


Google Streetview

CBRM

Renwick Brook Park Renovations
Under Construction


CBRM

CBU Residence and Dining Hall
Under Construction


Sydney Airport Improvements
Approved

New apron panels and upgraded runway lighting

Oceanview Jr. High, Glace Bay
Approved


Route 4 upgrades
Under Construction


(Don't worry, we were stopped and waiting for the pilot vehicle)
When upgraded or replaced, Route 4 will become Hwy 104 and replace 105 as the Trans Canada Highway on Cape Breton Island.

Sydney Harbour Dredging Project
Proposed

Sydney Marine Group
Part of Atlantic Gateway Initiative. Would create a channel 9km long and 17m deep. Tender awarded and funding committed by NSPC ($1M), CBRM ($2M), Provincial Government ($15.2M). Waiting for decision from Federal Government which is being asked to commit $19M to the project because it is a federal harbour. Aside from the container terminal proposal, other major rumoured developments with publicly stated interest in the area can only go ahead with a dredged access channel.

Marine Atlantic Ferry Terminal Renovations
Approved
Renovations to existing facilities and a new terminal in North Sydney beside Commercial Street which will have access to downtown North Sydney.

Port to Port Highway and Corridor
Proposed

CBRM
Proposal to link Sydney Sea Port facilities with Sydney Airport. Would be controlled access highway. Master plan is to create a business corridor along highway and open up new development land.

Highway 125 (Sydney By-Pass) twinning
Under Construction
- Coxheath to Balls Creek announced 2006
Approved
- Sydney River to Grand Lake Road announced 2007, expected design phase 2010.

- blue, already twinned
- green, Coxheath to Balls Creek, relatively light traffic compared to rest of highway
- red, Sydney River to Grand Lake Road, busiest two-lane highway in province

Highway 125 sections awaiting twinning (Video from July 2008):

Driver: Smevo
Video: S.B.
Photos from July 2009
Phase 1:

Phase 2:



Louisbourg to Gabarus Highway
Proposed

Would follow route of old dirt road, land annexed in 1960's by Parks Canada for Louisbourg National Historic Site.



INDUSTRIAL

Harbourside Commercial and Light Industrial Park
Under Construction


Google Streetview

New Sports Facility Approved on site
Overpass Removal and new Surface Street Network Rumoured

Donkin Mine
Proposed

XStrata
Erdene Gold
Undergoing Environmental and Sustainability Assessments.

Sydport Container Terminal
Proposed


Sydney Marine Group
Capacity of 500,000 TECUs
$200M proposal, fully private money.

Fertilizer Manufacturing Plant
Rumoured
Bankok Company
Site unknown, but interested in "Sydney area".

Shipbuilding Facility
Rumoured
Daewoo Shipping
Interesting in locating facility on Sydney Harbour, though nothing concrete yet. Would need at least 14m depth in harbour, so dredging is a prerequisite.



POWER PROJECTS

Lingan Power Plant Environmental Refit
Approved


Lake Uist Wind and Hydro Generating Project
Proposed

Luciano Lisi
44-Wind Turbines
Pump water from Lake Uist to holding tank to be released during peak demand times.
Undergoing environmental assessment. Facing lots of opposition from locals and Fish and Game association.



WATER PROJECTS

Northside Water Supply Treatment Facility
Approved

CBRM

Louisbourg Water Supply Treatment Facility
Approved
CBRM
Site unknown


REMEDIATION PROJECTS

Princess Mine Remediation
Under Construction


Tar Ponds Cleanup and Solidification
Under Construction


Google Streetview


Coke Ovens Site Remediation
Under Construction

Google Streetview


Victoria Junction Wash Plant Remediation
Under Construction




COMMUNITY PROJECTS

Northside Civic Centre
Under Construction


Google Streetview


North Sydney Historical Society
Under Construction


Google Streetview


Donkin Community Centre
Approved



GOLF AND RESORT PROJECTS

Louisbourg Golf Resort, Spa and Upscale Subdivision
Under Construction

2-18 hole courses (Architect - Nick Faldo)
400 home subdivision prices ranging $400,000 to $1,000,000
Cape Breton Island Developments



MIXED USE

The Village by CBU
Proposed

Site Plan
Signs are down and no news from this development in over a year. Likely a dead proposal, so I will remove it if there is no news in 6 months or at the time of the next main page update, whichever comes later.

Completed projects in last 5 years
arranged by year (note- completed projects relating to the CBRH, SPAR Rd Power Centre and Mayflower Mall appear in their own section).
2006
The Wentworth Condos, Kings Rd - 4 floors (2006)
Coxheath Interchange Hwy 125 (Exit 5A - 2006)
2007
Membertou Trade and Convention Centre (~2007)
DFO Westmount (2007)
Health Park at CBRH - 5 floors (2007)
Lingan Wind Farm (2007)
Sydney Waste Water Treatment Facility (2007)
2008
Atlantic CAT Rentals, Balls Creek (2008)
Kia Auto Mall, Grand Lake Rd (2008)
Flavors Restaurant (2008)
Delta Exterior Renovations (2008)
Protocase, Harbourside (2008)
Stirling Pharma (formerly Keata), Northside Industrial Park (2008)
New Waterford Water Supply Treatment Facility (2008)
Glace Bay Skate Park (2008)
2009
The Lakes Golf Course, Ben Eion (2009)
EHS Headquarters, George St (2009)
Kenny's Pizza DT Location, Townsend St (2009)
Lawton's and Medical Centre, George St - 2 floors (2009)
Riverview Rural High School Renovations (2009?)
Sydney Academy Renovations (2009?)
2010
Vogue Office Building, Charlotte St - 3 floors (2010)
CB Health and Recreation Complex, CBU (2010)
Membertou Access Rd (2010)
Membertou Business Centre (2010)
Alexadra Street Roundabout (2010)
Dominion Waste Water Treatment Facility (2010)

If anyone notices any errors in location or info, let me know and I'll fix it.

I'll post more updates as they come.
 
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#84 ·
Tuesday, June 5, 2007 Cape Breton Post

Pharmaceutical plant set to open in August

Keata Pharma plans to employ 65-75 workers


Section: Business

By Wes Stewart,
The pharmaceutical plant nearing completion in the Northside Industrial Park will have upwards of 75 staff when it begins commercial production before year-end.

Keata Pharma, a division of Ontario-based PharmEng International Inc., a full-service consulting and contract manufacturing company, has tendered for the completion of the interior of the 46,500-square-foot building.

"We are actually looking at producing commercial product at that plant sometime in the last quarter of this year," said Bernie Boudreau.

Keata Pharma will be hiring in August, "to work up to the opening workforce number (75) before the end of the year."

The company president said the plant will be training local hires, about one-third of the staff, to work on the packaging line and to do maintenance work.

When the plant opens in August, following permitting by Health Canada, there will be between 65-75 people working, about 20 of whom (mostly Cape Bretoners) are graduates of the Cape Breton University pharmaceutical program now working at the company's plant in Perth, Ont.

"They will form a lot of the core of the workforce, (and) senior management team will move in as well in August," he said.

The senior managers will be recruited from across North America.

The Northside plant encountered a fairly significant delay of about a year when it redesigned some of the building.

"We made something like 72 design changes in the building, but that is past us now," Boudreau said.

They are awaiting the arrival of a couple of pieces of machinery needed by the firm's mechanical subcontractor.

PharmEng, in its first quarter outlook released this week, reported revenues of $2.8 million on a consolidated basis. But it showed net losses after taxes for the same period of $700,000.

Company CEO and chairman Alan Kwong blamed a slowdown with procuring new U.S. contracts and an increase in business development costs associated with its expansion into Asia.

He also noted the "build-out of the new Cape Breton facility are challenging our bottom line."

Boudreau said if the plant in Northside Industrial Park had been up and running it would have contributed to the situation.

"The losses this quarter particularly had to do with some situations in the U.S., but it does not impact on our construction schedule at all.

"That money is already budgeted and it is going forward as fast as they can do it."

The plant will manufacture two types of products - solid dose (tablets) of various kinds and over the counter private-label products once they get the establishment licence from Health Canada.

In addition, they will make generic products - drugs that have come off patent - for a company that may be interested in marketing them.

Enterprise Cape Breton Corp. contributed $6.25 million in repayable loans to the business and Nova Scotia Business Inc. is helping in new job creation with a $3.6 million payroll rebate to be paid over five years toward the project.
 
#85 ·
From Wednesday, June 6, 2007 Cape Breton Post

Businesses must separate organics: CBRM

Section: Cape Breton

By Chris Hayes,

The Cape Breton Regional Municipality is reminding businesses that organics must be separated from their garbage.

Solid waste manager Donnie Burke said many businesses and facilities are already separating their organics so an ad in Saturday's Cape Breton Post was mostly meant as a reminder to those that aren't on stream.

"The big target right now is the restaurants because there are a lot of them that kind of haven't been doing it yet, so this will be their . . . 20-minute warning or whatever."

Burke said it appears some smaller "mom and pop" grocery stores are also not separating out their organics yet for delivery to the regional municipality's new composting facility.

The ad said that starting July 1, all organic wastes must be separated from regular mixed garbage.

"As of July 1, there should be no more organics," he said. "You are going to get your little residual left but from a Department of Environment perspective and our perspective, everybody has been dully notified and have to comply now."

Burke said some larger supermarket chains have already been separating out organics that were being shipped out before the regional municipality opened its own composting facility this year.

Schools and hospitals were also already separating out organics, he said.

The municipality will probably start rejecting haulers showing up with organics mixed in with the rest of the garbage, requiring it to be sorted before it is returned, he said.

Burke said the municipality has distributed almost 20,000 of the 35,000 green carts that are being distributed to hold household organic waste material. The organics are picked up at the curb and delivered to the municipality's composting facility

The first finished compost will be ready Wednesday, he said.

The municipality also plans an open house Saturday when residents can bag their own compost to take home.

"We are hoping that at least twice a year we will have a public pickup where they can come in and take some home."

The compost will be used in the municipality's parks and hopefully marketed to sites like the Sydney tar ponds or former Devco sites, he said.
 
#86 ·
Thursday, June 7, 2007 Cape Breton Post

New tenant in wings for vacant call centre

Province hopes to make announcement 'very soon'


Section: Business

By Nancy King,

A new tenant for a vacant call centre building is expected to be made "very soon," a spokesperson for the provincial agency that's been leading the search said Wednesday.

Sarah Levy of Nova Scotia Business Inc. added she couldn't provide a more specific time frame or give other details of the negotiations until they are completed.

"We're confident that we will be in a position to announce a new client very soon," she said.

EDS Canada recently wound up operations at its Port Hawkesbury call centre, after announcing last November it would shut it down, to concentrate on operations at its Sydney centre.

Bob MacEachern, president of the Strait Area Chamber of Commerce, said Wednesday he is hopeful an announcement could come by the end of June.

"There's a lot of hope, especially for those who had worked at EDS and they're finding themselves without work right now," he said. "We have great concern for them that they get employed sooner rather than later; we don't want to see them leave the area, obviously."

The area's retailers have been affected by the loss of the payroll provided by EDS, MacEachern added.

In March, the chamber put out a call to people in the area with experience in the sector to develop a database of people qualified and available to do that sort or work. They also urged them to be patient and remain in the area.

Having a skilled, experienced, ready workforce was one reason why the chamber was confident a new tenant would be found, MacEachern said.

"We now have a track record based on the knowledge of the employees," he said.

The body wasn't worried that EDS's decision to leave the centre would hinder interest by other clients, MacEachern said.

The marketing effort for the location has also included the Strait-Highlands Regional Development Agency, Enterprise Cape Breton Corp. and the Nova Scotia Office of Economic Development.

The Port Hawkesbury call centre opened in November 2002, a year later than was originally expected. An expansion of the centre was announced in 2004.
 
#87 ·
Monday, June 11, 2007 Cape Breton Post

CBRM residents hit pay dirt

New compost facility opens to the public


Section: Front

By Laura Jean Grant,

With a green cart program now in full swing, the Cape Breton Regional Municipality opened the doors to its new compost facility Saturday.

Throughout the afternoon the public was invited to tour the facility, pick up information about composting and recycling and even take home some compost to use in their backyards and gardens.

The CBRM started dropping off about 35,000 green carts May 7 to all residents of single-family dwellings or duplexes in urban and suburban areas of the regional municipality. Green carts are designed to store organic waste materials from the home and yard, like table scraps, food waste, used paper towels, napkins, fish, bones, meat, shellfish and leaf and yard waste like grass and leaves. The material is then picked up and delivered to the compost facility.

And Saturday residents got a chance to see what happens to all that organic waste once it leaves their curb - an important step in raising awareness according to Donnie Burke, manager of the CBRM's solid waste department.

"The big thing is to showcase our facility," he said. "Hopefully it'll increase participation and help the whole process."

Burke noted officials are really encouraged by the initial response to the program.

"We expected 60-65 per cent participation and we're seeing about 80 per cent," he said.

Those who took part in the public tours Saturday got a chance to see the equipment used in the mixing and shredding process and how the material is fed into the tunnels where it composts at set temperatures and conditions for a specific period of time.

Burke said the whole composting process takes about 30 days and, in fact, the first batch of compost from the facility was available for people to take home free of charge.

Among those taking advantage were Rod and Ann Marie Fraser, of Victoria Mines, who planned to use it in their vegetable and flower gardens.

The two said they were impressed with the facility.

"It's super. It's the right way to go," said Rod.

"To think what we can do with the waste off our table," added Ann Marie.

Burke said they plan to continue offering compost to the public for free several times each year. He also expects the compost produced at the facility will be used in several remediation projects in the local area and landscaping companies may purchase the compost for their use.

Henk Roeven, technical manager of Christiaens Controls B.V, who designed the CBRM composting facility, was on hand Saturday and said he's pleased with the finished product.

"It's practical and not too complex," he said, of the state-of-the-art facility.

"A lot of the organic material can be treated in a short time and stabilized," he explained.

Roeven added that in walking through the facility people will notice there's no strong smells as odours associated with the composting process are confined to sealed areas.
 
#88 ·
Tuesday, June 12, 2007 Cape Breton Post

Health of fish will be used to determine condition of Sydney tar ponds

Mummichog will play pivotal role, says professor


Section: Cape Breton

By Chris Shannon, cape breton post

Time will tell if the cleanup of the tar ponds is successful in removing toxins from Muggah Creek and a biology professor is hopeful the mummichog fish will play a pivotal role in determining the degree to which aquatic life can survive in the area.

The mummichog, a silver-and-black killifish of saltwater marshes along the Atlantic coast, is the main source of research for Martha Jones and her team of students looking at how the tar ponds has affected varying species of fish, eels and crab.

"They're not deformed overall in terms of their bodies," Jones said.

"They show fin deformities and fin erosions but they do appear to be complete fish and they actually have nice colouration during the spawning season and the females do bear eggs."

The information gathered in a lab at Cape Breton University will be a bio-indicator for the Sydney Tar Ponds Agency, which is overseeing the $400-million cleanup of one of the country's worst toxic waste sites created from a century of steelmaking.

Up until now Jones and her team have been collecting specimens from the tar ponds once a month. The process of tagging fish could begin as early as this week.

The invasive green crab, which first appeared in Cape Breton in the Bras d'Or Lakes more than a decade ago, has found its way into estuaries such as the tar ponds and due to its bountiful number could be included in the tagging process as well, she noted.

Jones is comparing findings from the tar ponds with a handful of other estuaries in the Cape Breton Regional Municipality, looking at the health of the different ecosystems by using minnow traps and seines to see what is and isn't present, parasites and the health of fish and their growth rates.

"Fish are a better dipstick (than other marine life) I guess, in terms of how well is the ecosystem improving."
Sod-turning ceremony takes place today

Construction set to begin on Alzheimer's unit


Section: Our community

By Julie Collins, Cape Breton Post

The sod will be turned today to begin construction of the new 15-bed Alzheimer's unit at the Northside Community Guest Home.

The unit will be located at the back of the guest home facing the harbour.

"It has always been our dream to have a specialized unit for Alzheimer's residents," said Donnie Brown, chairman of the home's board of directors. "The unit will have private rooms and living areas creating a home-like atmosphere."

Over the past 10 years the guest home board met and worked on proposals for an Alzheimer's unit. Something that became a reality in the fall of 2006 when the Department of Health approved its proposal for the 15-bed unit.

"This unit is going to fill a real need in the community," Brown said. "We're proud of the staff who have taken special training in Alzheimer's patient care. They are excited about putting their training to work."

Brown expects construction to begin within days with the removal of the carport in front of the building. The driveway will also be widened to allow the trucks to make their way to the back of the building.

Once construction begins, there will be absolutely no parking for staff.

"The parking lot at Munro Park is a possibility and it is just a block away," he said. "We've encouraged the staff to car pool as much as possible. We realize this is very inconvenient, but it is something we are going to have to live with while construction is ongoing."

He added that once construction is finished for the day, there could be limited parking available for visitors.

"There will also be changes made to the interior of the home as we prepare for further expansion. We have to increase our kitchen area to plan for the 39 additional beds," Brown said. "This is going to be an extremely busy place over the next few years, but I'm sure everyone realizes the need and what these additional beds will mean for our community. I'm sure this will offset any inconvenience."

The rooms on the lower level now occupied by Alzheimer's patients will be reverted to regular rooms once the new unit opens.

Provincial Health Minister Chris d'Entremont and Cape Breton North MLA Cecil Clarke will be on hand for today's sod-turning ceremony.
 
#89 ·
Wednesday, June 13, 2007 Cape Breton Post

Deadline coming up fast for Cape Breton Casting buyer

Section: Business

Less than three weeks remain for Enterprise Cape Breton Corp. to find a buyer for a troubled automotive die-cast plant.

The Cape Breton Growth Fund sunk more than $25 million to get the Northside plant up and running before taking over the Cape Breton Casting plant.

ECBC spokesman D.A. Landry said consultants Ernst & Young, the agent hired to find a buyer, "has a number of expressions of interest and is working toward the July 1 deadline."

They are now evaluating those expressions of interest, meeting with the prospective buyers, with a view to making a recommendation to ECBC before the deadline, he said.

The Cape Breton Growth Fund lost its quorum on the board of directors in January and its duties were assumed by ECBC.

The formalizing of that process to reconstitute the growth fund board to be fully functional is now underway, Landry said.

The plant is operating with a staff of 64, making die-cast parts for its single customer, automotive giant Magna International.
New client found for former EDS building: sources

Section: Front

An announcement of a new client for the former EDS call centre building here is expected to come Friday, sources tell the Cape Breton Post.

A spokesperson for Nova Scotia Business Inc., the provincial government agency that has been leading the effort to find a new operator for the centre, said Tuesday she could not confirm or deny that an announcement would take place Friday morning, but indicated that word was expected very soon.

Premier Rodney MacDonald is expected to be on hand for the event.

The effort to find a new client has been underway for a number of months, since EDS Canada said earlier this year it would shut down its operation in the Strait area, focusing on its business in other regions.

Local business officials have urged former call centre workers to be patient and remain in the area, hopeful that a new operator would be found.
Ground broken for Alzheimer's unit

Section: Northside/Victoria

By Julie Collins, Cape Breton Post

People suffering from Alzheimer's disease will soon have their own private rooms and living areas in an expanded Northside Community Guest Home.

Provincial Health Minister Chris d'Entremont and Cape Breton North MLA Cecil Clarke attended the official sod-turning Tuesday, along with board members and guest home staff. Also in attendance were Cape Breton Regional Municipality Mayor John Morgan, Deputy Mayor Gordon MacLeod and councillors Wes Stubbert and Clarence Prince, who also serve as board members.

Along with the new 15-bed Alzheimer unit, the home will also see major renovations to the kitchen and lounge areas and new treatment rooms where medical professionals can meet with their patients. Changes will include a new staff room, offices, hairdressing shop and canteen.

"Nothing pleases me more than seeing happy seniors living in places that they can call home and where they can be comfortable," said d'Entremont. "It's my personal commitment as minister of health and that of our government to make sure we have the correct number of beds across the province; to ensure seniors are getting the care they so well deserve."

The minister noted that government can build buildings, but it wouldn't work without a dedicated staff and the work they do each day to provide quality care for seniors.

Cape Breton North MLA Cecil Clarke commended the board and staff for recognizing the needs and special circumstances of those people who are experiencing Alzheimer's disease.

"They knew the level of care and environment required was different and the board and staff worked tirelessly through various cycles and cleared every hurdle with success," Clarke said. "This is about turning the sod for this new unit, but also for work put into the application for additional beds that were awarded to this home."

Clarke added that when government was ready to move forward with a large number of beds, the guest home was able to receive those beds through the hard work of staff, management and the board.

"Without people, the rest is walls and infrastructure."

Guest home administrator Joanne MacNeil said the next 10 months will have its share of challenges as the home endeavours to expand and improve and at the same time care for the 90 residents in its charge.

"This is a dream come true for us," MacNeil said. "We've studied the needs of Alzheimer's residents. Contractors and architects have helped us with our proposal. It's a great day because now our Alzheimer's patients will be in a facility that best meets their needs."

Initially, there was some concern about noise levels, but a week into construction, MacNeil said the residents seem to be enjoying watching the work progress.

"We plan to keep the residents busy over the summer and offer more day trips. We'll take it day by day; the support from everyone concerned has been terrific."

Patsy LeBlanc, co-ordinator community initiatives (Cape Breton) with the Alzheimer Society of Nova Scotia, said safety and security are important in the care of those people with Alzheimer's.

"A lot of people with Alzheimer's disease tend to roam. This type of unit will ensure the safety of people who live there," she said. "Because of the unit's circular system, you don't walk to the end of a hallway and not know where you are, you will end up back at your room."

The unit will have additional staff with expertise in Alzheimer's disease.

"Families will feel their loved ones are in a safe, comfortable environment."
Remediation underway at former Princess mine site

Section: Northside/Victoria

By Julie Collins, Cape Breton Post

Tenders will go out this month for remediation of the washplant area of the former Princess mine site.

Work on the 11-hectare site is expected to begin in early July, part of Devco's remediation of the Sydney coalfield.

Richard Crowe, client service director with Public Works and Government Services Canada, said the work will include grading, bringing in new soil, hydroseeding areas that don't have vegetation and development of walking trails.

The site will be remediated to light industrial and recreational use.

"We divided the property into two sections, the area south of Ocean Street, which is referred to as the washplant site, and about 40 hectares northeast of Ocean Street which is referred to as the waste rock area."

Later in the summer, work will begin on the waste rock area to address drainage issues. The work will include ditching and grading work and is expected to take about two years to complete.

"That's probably as much as will get done this construction season on the waste rock area," he said. "We'll return the following year to put in walking trails, cap the site, do some hydroseeding and plant some trees."

Devco owns approximately 600 properties covering about 1,000 square kilometres in 35 different communities within Cape Breton. These range from urban lots, forest fields, wetlands and ponds to ocean frontage.

When Devco ceased operation, it turned to Public Works, a federal department with experience in environmental clean ups and project management.

"We still have major projects to do and the one on our radar at present is Princess mine site," Crowe said. "We've had a number of open houses in Sydney Mines to explain the progress and answer any questions. We take it in stages, easing ourselves into the work so there aren't any surprises for the residents living close by."

Once the work is complete on these two sites, Public Works will move on to nearby Edward's Pond.

"We will be able to observe the effects of the ground water to determine the best way to manage Edward's Pond."

Public Works spent the past year on the Princess mine site taking samples and trying to determine the environmental condition of the property.

The goal of the remediation program is to leave former mining sites in a stable, safe condition and return it to its former land use or an acceptable alternative.

Crowe said one of the key things Devco wants to do is leave a positive legacy for future generations.

"Devco is serious in their efforts to have these concerns addressed," he said. "We've been at this now for about five or six years and have about 50 per cent of the work completed," he said.

The majority of the demolition work is done and the majority of sites have been assessed to determine their environmental condition.
 
#90 ·
Thursday, June 14, 2007

Keddy's structure to be assessed by CBRM for safety

Section: Business

By Wes Stewart,
Two steel-frame structures remaining on the site of the former Keddy's motor inn will be assessed by municipal officials.

The structures enclose the pool area, the lobby and ballroom of the original building.

A demolition company removed the sprawling wooden two- and three-storey sections on orders from the Cape Breton Regional Municipality to the owner of the building.

Rick Fraser, CBRM manager of building services, said the contractor, John MacDonald Trucking, which demolished the wooden structures has been advised by the owner he is finished whatever he is going to do right now.

The Birch Grove contractor said last month he has completed what he has been contracted to do on the site - demolition of the modular-constructed 200-room section.

CBRM officials will inspect the site today to determine the condition of what is left of the building and if it is safe.

"We still have an outstanding order approved by council to demolish the property," said Fraser, adding, based on the evaluation and discussions with legal counsel, a decision on how council will approach it will be made.

Originally, the prospective buyer was interested in the steel-framed segments of the building for future development, he pointed out.

Fraser wants an inspection done, to contact the real estate developer and the property owner, businessman Hugh Lynch, before making a final decision.

"If we see something we feel is unsafe when we are there that requires immediate attention, then we will deal with it," Fraser said. "If it's structurally stable but poses a hazard to children or trespassers in the area, we will board it up."
Independent board to oversee tar ponds cleanup

Section: Cape Breton

An independent board is being created to help oversee the cleanup of the tar ponds and coke ovens site.

Applications to join the remediation monitoring oversight board will be accepted until June 28.

Environment and Labour Minister Mark Parent committed in January to create the board, when he approved the environmental assessment for the project.

The independent board will monitor the progress of the Department of Environment and Labour in ensuring provincial environmental regulations are followed during the cleanup.

The board will also monitor the department's procedures for reviewing applications, granting permits and responding to public concerns.

The cleanup project is entering the permit stage.

Board applicants should have skills and qualifications that relate to environmental remediation and contaminated sites management and experience with Nova Scotia's environmental legislation and permit procedures.

More information is available on the Environment and Labour website at www.gov.ns.ca/enla/ea/tarponds.asp.
Mining society to focus on demand for minerals

Section: Cape Breton

By Wes Stewart,
The increasing world demand for minerals is driving the resurgence in mining, now a $400-million GDP (gross domestic product) industry in the province.

The Mining Society of Nova Scotia is holding its 125th annual general meeting today and Friday at Dundee Resort in Richmond County, showcasing mining activity.

"The industry employs over 5,200 people," said society outgoing president Paul Smith, a liaison geologist with the Department of Natural Resources.

"If the Xstrata Donkin mine comes on line that will probably double that GDP to $800 million, that's the significance of just one project."

He said world demand is driving exploration.

"We have virtually every gold deposit in the province staked and there is some degree of work going on at those (sites). Companies like Acadian Gold are doing a lot of work on gold deposits, Atlantic Gold is in the process of developing a deposit at Moose River and have other projects on the go," including the Jubilee deposit in Cape Breton, he said.

"We have companies in from Australia who are taking a hard look at doing real serious expenditures here," looking for copper, gold and silver.

Smith said the industry fluctuates with the base price of metals and minerals, "if the metal prices are good, people will come in an spend $40 million, but if it is not good then they won't do that."

The 125 to 150 delegates will hear presentations from companies doing work in the province.

Smith said Natural Resources geologist John Calder will present a mineral resource map for Nova Scotia that will identify old mine sites and claims and areas of interest.

A topic that is bound to draw a lot of debate is a review of uranium deposits. The province has a ban on exploration on the mineral used in nuclear generation, he said.

"There is uranium here, but we don't know where it is all located."

One of the reasons Smith would like to see the ban lifted and exploration take place would be to delineate where it occurs.
 
#91 ·
Friday, June 15, 2007 Cape Breton Post

Accommodation numbers up in Cape Breton

Conventions, sporting events credited with boost to industry


Section: Cape Breton

By Nancy King, cape breton post
The occupancy rate for Cape Breton accommodations was up for the first quarter of the year over the same period last year, which one tourism official is attributing to more conventions and events.

The province released its key tourism indicators for the month of April this week.

Provincially, the total number of visitors was down two per cent year-to-date over the same period last year, and down seven per cent for the month of April, although room nights sold were up four per cent in April and two per cent for the quarter.

In Cape Breton, the occupancy rate is up 30 per cent year-to-date and 32 per cent for the month of April. The number of room nights sold on the island is up 14 per cent year-to-date, and 29 per cent for the month of April.

Sandra MacDonald, general manager of Destination Cape Breton, noted the Cape Breton Regional Municipality and Victoria County, in particular, saw a boost.

"You have to attribute that to events and sporting activities and meetings and conventions at that time of year, because most of the accommodations aren't even open," she said.

Those events include the annual Vince Ryan tournament, the Grand Slam of Curling hosted at the Port Hawkesbury Civic Centre, and other sports tournaments.

"All of those things are key and vital to growing the shoulder season and helping out the economy in Cape Breton," she said.

Investments made in improved facilities such the Port Hawkesbury Civic Centre, the Membertou Trade and Convention Centre and the Joan Harriss Cruise Pavilion in Sydney are paying off, MacDonald believes.

"We have to have the infrastructure in order to have the buy-in by the bodies," she said. "It all helps to make a better product for the island."

How island tourism operators are faring in early bookings for the summer season depends on who you speak to, MacDonald said. Not much road traffic is currently being seen around the Cabot Trail or in areas such as Louisbourg which likely has a lot to do with poor weather, she added.

"It's always too early to make a prediction at this time, but some of the operators have reported that they have 70 per cent of their bookings on their books now," MacDonald said.

"We're hopeful . . . We've done a lot of promotion as far as what we can do with limited dollars and so we just hope it pays off for the industry because it is so key to the economics of Cape Breton."

Generally speaking, it's businesses which have invested in marketing campaigns that seem to be doing the best, she noted.
Municipality asked to support health, wellness complex

Staff to examine funding possibility


Section: Cape Breton

By Chris Shannon, cape breton post
A local pediatrician and senior official with Cape Breton University boasted about the benefits of a health and wellness complex in the area during a presentation to municipal politicians Thursday.

The Cape Breton Health Recreation Complex project, estimated at a cost of $12 million, would be built at Cape Breton University and include outdoor and indoor soccer facilities, a synthetic multi-lane track and a community fitness and wellness centre.

It's expected to cater to the needs of the entire community - from primary school students to the working age population, seniors, as well as those who are at risk or suffering from cardiovascular disease.

The group is encouraging the Cape Breton Regional Municipality to contribute $1 million to the project over two years, beginning in the fiscal year 2008-09.

From there, the committee set up to oversee its development will be pushing for $4 million each from the provincial and federal governments. The community will raise the remainder.

Gordon MacInnis, vice-president of finance and operations at Cape Breton University, said money first has to be secured at the municipal level before other governments come on board.

"They have demonstrated leadership on the issue of the smoking bylaw several years ago and we believe that this is very much the parallel of that," MacInnis said.

Councillors at Thursday's corporate services committee were largely in favour of the project. A motion passed unanimously for staff to look at funding the centre, which would be included in next year's budget.

Dr. Andrew Lynk, a pediatrician and member of the project's executive committee, admitted it won't be an easy task convincing people to get off the couch and turn automatically to an active lifestyle.

"With an indoor soccer facility, not only can you play soccer there but for older people, there's lawn bowling and they can walk," said Lynk, who's also a member of the Cape Breton-Victoria Regional School Board.

He noted it won't happen overnight, but it will start a process of changing unhealthy attitudes toward diet and exercise.

The project could begin as early as the start of the 2008 construction season.
 
#92 ·
Saturday, June 16, 2007 Cape Breton Post

Federal money for harbour development in Grand Etang

Section: Cape Breton

The harbour in this community will soon be opening its doors to more than just fishermen, following an investment of more than $1 million from the federal government.

The funding was announced Friday by Peter MacKay, minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency.

The funding will allow the harbour authority to move forward with its diversification plan, which involves building a major home base for fishermen in the region, a wind turbine, an interpretive centre, retail kiosks, a multi-tenant building, a lighthouse and other improvements to surrounding lands.

The total cost of the project is $1.5 million. The federal government, through ACOA, the Department of Human Resources and Social Development and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, contributed $1,065,000 toward the cost of the project.

The Grand Etang Harbour Authority is a not-for-profit organization, established in 1995, with a goal of contributing to the overall development and strategic direction of the Grand Etang area of Cape Breton.
Minacs opening call centre in Strait

Total of 350 people to be employed by in-bound business


Section: Front

By Laura Jean Grant,
In less than two weeks the first Cape Breton employees of Minacs will be on the job.

"If you're looking for work, we're open for business," declared Jeff Williams, executive vice-president of sales and marketing with Minacs, during an announcement Friday morning that the international business outsourcing company will set up shop at the former EDS building in Port Hawkesbury.

The in-bound call centre is expected to employ 250 people by the end of this year and another 100 within five years for a total of 350 jobs. Minacs will receive a payroll rebate from Nova Scotia Business Inc. to a maximum of $2.68 million over the next five years.

Williams said the company's experience at its Halifax location coupled with the understanding they've gained about the Cape Breton workforce is what drew them to Port Hawkesbury.

"It really boils down . . . to people. We have to get the people part right," he said, adding, "We are very proud of our expansion here and are committed to being a productive member of the community."

Employees of the Port Hawkesbury centre will field calls for a financial services sector client, which Williams declined to name citing confidentiality agreements. He did say the client has been with the company for five years.

Williams was joined by Nova Scotia Premier Rodney MacDonald, NSBI board member Larry Evans, Strait Area Chamber of Commerce president Bob MacEachern and Port Hawkesbury Deputy Mayor Hughie MacDougall for the announcement, Friday morning.

Minacs employs 600 people at its Halifax location and MacDonald said the province is excited to provide assistance to the company, through NSBI, in establishing a second home in Nova Scotia.

"It's about making strategic investments . . . and clearly I believe this is a smart investment," he said, adding, "Three hundred and fifty jobs is going to have a significant impact on the economy here in Port Hawkesbury and the Strait region. It's going to mean more dollars in the local economy, more opportunities for other business."

MacEachern agreed the jobs will be a big boost.

"We really have found the retail sector hurting in the Port Hawkesbury region since EDS announced its closure," said the chamber of commerce president. "So . . . this type of business and these types of jobs, with the level of employment and the kind of incomes they provide to the employees, really do help to support the economy in a huge way."

Describing Minacs as much more than a call centre company, Williams said there will be a range of positions at the Port Hawkesbury contact centre in the fields of human resources, information technology and administration.

Prospective employees can drop in at the centre, located at 24 Queen St. Extension, for a career event 11 a.m.-4 p.m., today or at the Minacs recruitment office which will be open Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., beginning next week. People can also apply online at www.minacs.com.

Work is scheduled to start June 25 and the centre will begin full operations by the end of July.
 
#93 ·
Monday, June 18, 2007 Cape Breton Post

OK, it's not development, but it is a big part of the city's history.

Moxham Castle didn't have a knight in shining armour to come to the rescue

Section: Northside/Victoria

Column: Breton Rannie Gillis

By Breton Rannie Gillis,
Both Moxham Castle in Sydney and Kinloch Castle on the Isle of Rhum were among the last structures of their kind in the world. However, although both are fondly remembered, more than 100 years later their final fate could not have been more different.

The derelict ruin that was Moxham Castle was destroyed by fire back in 1966 and there is still some dispute as to whether or not the fire was accidental or deliberately set. Kinloch Castle, however, is still going strong, although its future prospects are still very much up in the air.

When Sir George Bullough died in 1937, while playing golf in France, his wealthy widow continued to return to the Isle of Rhum each summer for the next 20 years. However, in 1957, at the advanced age of 88, Lady Monica decided to sell the island to the Scottish Natural Heritage Society, with the stipulation that it would be preserved forever as the Scottish equivalent of a Canadian National Park. She and her family would retain visitation rights. When Lady Monica died in 1967, at the grand old age of 98, her body was returned to the Isle of Rhum and buried next to her husband and father-in-law, in a lonely glen on the west side of the island.

Today, the Isle of Rhum is a National Park and Nature Reserve. However, the last 100 years have taken their physical toll on Kinloch Castle and the ongoing cost of maintenance and repair is proving to be too much for the National Park System. At the present time the castle is used as a hostel, for tourists and mountain climbers, and the historic building also functions as a living Victorian era museum.

Kinloch Castle is now 105 years old and major repair work is urgently needed, especially on the plumbing and electrical systems. The estimated cost to bring the castle up to today's standards is in the vicinity of $10 million. Where will the money come from?

Four years ago BBC television had a very successful program called The Restoration Series. These shows profiled historic buildings in the United Kingdom that were in need of renovation and repair. The public was invited to nominate their choice to receive the top prize of $6 million, provided by the national lottery corporation.

Unfortunately, Kinloch Castle came in second and did not receive any funds. However, the plight of this magnificent building and its remote location on an island in the Hebrides, struck a responsive chord with members of the public in both England and Scotland.

One such person, who was intrigued by the castle story, was his Royal Highness, Prince Charles, the Prince of Wales! He has since taken an active interest in the future of Kinloch Castle and has lent his name and prestige to a special trust fund that has been set up to look at ways of preserving the castle.

Our own Moxham Castle, however, had no royal prince to come to the rescue. Thanks to a monumental lack of interest and foresight, our community allowed a very unique building to fall into decay and burn to the ground. It was a sad and humiliating end to one of the most remarkable examples of 19th century Canadian architecture!
 
#94 ·
From the Thursday, June 28, 2007 Cape Breton Post

Cape Breton Casting gets a reprieve

Sydney group expected to take over


Section: Business

By Wes Stewart, Cape Breton Post

The process is now in place to allow the divestiture of Cape Breton Casting, a die-cast manufacturing plant in the Northside Industrial Park.

Speculation has a business group headed by Sydney businessman Jim Kehoe as the new owners.

Enterprise Cape Breton Corp. spokesman D.A. Landry said Wednesday a new Cape Breton Growth Fund board comprising management and board members of ECBC was appointed this week to facilitate the sale of the die-cast plant and wind up the fund.

The growth fund, in a release, said it is in the final stages of negotiation for the sale of the assets of Cape Breton Casting Inc. as a going concern. A letter of intent has been agreed upon, however an announcement of the details of the transaction cannot be made until a formal agreement of purchase and sale has been signed. This should happen in the near future.

Given an agreement is pending, the growth fund board has agreed to continue operating the Casting plant beyond the July 1 deadline it previously imposed, to facilitate a smooth transition to the new owners. Upon completion of the agreement of purchase and sale, a detailed announcement will be made.

CBCI, located in the Northside Industrial Park, was established in 2004 to provide die-casting services to the automotive industry. The project received $24.7 million of repayable assistance from the growth fund, the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and ECBC.

The growth fund took control of the plant in March 2006, when the project proponents encountered difficulty and surrendered their shares.

In December 2006, the growth fund board committed to operate Cape Breton Castings until July 1 while efforts were put in place to sell the plant. A public call for proposals was made in May 2007, for the sale of the assets. A total of five proposals were received and each was evaluated by Ernst & Young Orenda Corporate Finance Inc., who acted as agents for the sale.

The plant employs approximately 60 people.

The Cape Breton Growth Fund is a wholly owned subsidiary of ECBC. Established in 2000 to administer incremental economic development funds provided by the federal and provincial governments in the wake of the decision to discontinue the operations of Island's coal mines, the growth fund has a mandate to assist in the transition of the Cape Breton economy.

Landry said the growth fund when it was set up, while legally viewed as a subsidiary of ECBC, it was treated as a separate Crown corporation with a separate board appointed by order-in-council.

As of this week, the growth fund is now a normal subsidiary of ECBC and as the parent Crown corporation appointed a new board of directors - ECBC board members Frank MacInnis and Bob Munroe, and ECBC management personnel Marlene Usher, Lori Marenick and D.A. Landry.

The boards work together to ratify the decision of the growth fund board leading to the divestiture of the Casting plant and as the remaining funds are committed the growth fund will be dissolved and rolled into ECBC, he said.

There is approximately $4 million remaining in the growth fund.
 
#97 ·
Sydney have launched a new campaign to announce the arrival of two Virgin Active Health Clubs in Sydney and Melbourne. Big things are happening in Sydney. First Earth Hour, which began in Sydney, went global last month.The project is a milestone for Sydney, and it is the first project in Australia for recent Pritzker Prize winner Jean Nouvel.
-----------------
Tanyaa
Real Estate
 
#102 ·
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.
 
#105 ·
June 21, 2010

http://www.capebretonpost.com/Business/2010-06-21/article-1401950/Regional-hospital-continues-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.

...
 
#106 ·
June 22, 2010

http://www.capebretonpost.com/Business/2010-06-22/article-1408210/Clipper-stopover-helped-boost-local-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.

...
 
#107 ·
June 23, 2010

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/Local/2010-06-23/article-1411026/Membertou%26rsquo%3Bs-road-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.

...
 
#108 ·
June 24, 2010

http://www.capebretonpost.com/News/Local/2010-06-24/article-1412268/New-Dawn-Enterprises-receives-%247.3-million-settlement-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/Local/2010-06-24/article-1412028/Agency-ordered-to-better-manage-odours-emitting-from-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.

...
 
#109 ·
June 25, 2010

http://www.capebretonpost.com/News/Local/2010-06-25/article-1415726/CBU-v-p-named-first-Purdy-Crawford-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/Opinion/Letters-to-the-Editor/2010-06-25/article-1415636/Cape-Breton-needs-to-push-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.
 
#110 ·
June 27, 2010

http://www.capebretonpost.com/Living/2010-06-27/article-1417920/New-look-museum-offers-a-little-something-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.

...
 
#111 ·
June 28, 2010

http://www.capebretonpost.com/Business/2010-06-28/article-1425174/New-Membertou-Business-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.

...
 
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