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Saint John Developments

54K views 102 replies 19 participants last post by  stingu 
#1 · (Edited)
SUMMARY
as of August 21, 2008​
UNDER CONSTRUCTION

South End Community Police Station | South | 2 Floors
Cyr Holdings Hotel (Unnamed) | Central/North | 9 Floors
UNB University Commons | North | 3 Floors
Bayside Middle School Expansion | East | 2 Floors
Luxury Offices | East | 4 Floors
Centennial Pontiac Renovation | East | 2 Floors
Cruise Ship Welcome Centre | Uptown | 2 Floors
Woodhollow Park | East | 2x4 Floors
Centrebeam | Uptown | 4-5 Floors
Eastpoint Shopping | East | 1 Floor Multiple
Saint John Transit HQ | East | 1 Floor
TD Centre Expansion | East | 2 Floors
Somerset Square | North | 2 Floors
SJRH ER Expansion | North | ?
SJ Non-Profit Housing | North | ?
Millidge Avenue Condos | North | 2x3 Floors
Lancaster Mall Upgrade | West | 1 Floor
Shopper's Drug Mart | West | 1 Floor
Royal Bank | Quispamsis | 1 Floor
Lane Furniture | Quispamsis | ?
Saint John Skatepark | Uptown | Recreational
Irving-Repsol LNG Terminal | East | Industrial
Emera NG Pipeline | City | Industrial
Harbour Passage Extension | West&South | Infrastructure
Three Sister's Park | South | Infrastructure
St. Andrews Park | Uptown | Infrastructure
Red Head Road Upgrade | East | Infrastructure

APPROVED

Justice Complex | Uptown | 5 Floors
Canada Games Stadium Renovation | North | Recreational
Harbourfront at Three Sisters Condo | South | 7&9 Floors
Fort Dufferin Condos | West | 3x12 Floors
Coast Guard Site Redevelopment | Uptown | 3x~12 Floors
Q-Plex | Quispamsis | 2 Floors
Plaza BG | West | 1 Floor
Princess Elizabeth School | North | 3-4 Floors
SJ Sewage Treatment Facilities | City | Infrastructure
One Mile Interchange | East | Infrastructure
Sims Corner Redesign | West | Infrastructure

PROPOSED

Market Square Expansion | Uptown | 5 Floors
KV French School | KV | ?
Irving Oil World HQ | Uptown | 5 Floors
Saint John Police HQ | Uptown | 3 Floors
North of Union Parking Garage | Uptown | 6-7 Floors
Mountain View Condos | East | 5 Floors
Charlotte @ Duke Apartments | South | 5 Floors
SJ Lexus | East | 1-2
Costco | East | 1 Floor
Seniors Complex | Quispamsis | ?
Irving Oil 2nd Refinery | East | Industrial
PLGS 2nd Reactor | Point Lepreau | Industrial
SJ Airport Terminal Expansion | East | Infrastructure
Pugsley Park | Uptown | Infrastructure
SJ Water Treatment Facilities | City | Infrastructure
Marsh Creek Restoration Initiative | East | Infrastructure

COMPLETED

Leinster Court | Uptown | 4 Floors
Saint John Theatre Company | Uptown | 3 Floors
Robertson's Wharf Condos | Uptown | 4 Floors
Hampton Inn | East | 4 Floors
Best Western | East | 4 Floors
Strescon HQ | East | 1 Floor
Saint John Energy HQ | West | 3 Floors
CRA Office | East | 2 Floors
Montanas Restaurant | East | 1 Floor
Dobson Chrysler | East | 2 Floors
AECL Retubing Plant |East | 1-2 Floors
Rockwood Park Building | North | ~3 Floors
Irving Walboard Plant | East | Industrial
Redhead Secondary Access Road | East | Infrastructure

I'm probably forgetting some things...please let me know of you have any developments to add or corrections to make to this list.

PHOTOS

 
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1
#2 · (Edited)
Coast Guard Site







Point Lepreau Nuclear Generating Station Refurbishment



On July 29, 2005, the Government of New Brunswick announced that NB Power will proceed with the refurbishment of the Point Lepreau Generating Station with the Atomic Energy of Canada Limited as the general contractor. Together this team is committed to delivering this project on time and on budget and is confident in making this refurbishment the key to Powering the Future of New Brunswick.

=========================================================

LEPREAU 3 IN PLAY
Quentin Casey Telegraph-Journal
Published Saturday June 30th, 2007
Appeared on page A1

The New Brunswick government will likely pursue a third nuclear reactor, if a soon-to-be launched feasibility study into a second nuclear unit at the Point Lepreau generating station proves fruitful, the energy minister revealed Friday.
In an exclusive interview with the Telegraph-Journal on the province's growing nuclear ambitions, Jack Keir also hinted at which company the government will trust to help develop its desire for a full-blown nuclear industry in the province.

Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd. appears to have emerged the favorite in the race with Areva NP, a state-owned French firm.

And in fact, AECL, Canada's nuclear crown corporation, could end up producing two new units for the province.

"There's opportunity for two reactors there (at Lepreau)," Keir said. "If the business case works for"¦ the second reactor, our decision then will be: how much of this do we want?

"If the market is there, we'll build."

The company is now seeking a first home for its upcoming 1,200-megawatt Advanced Candu Reactor (ACR). The first, and a second, could land in New Brunswick if the upcoming feasibility study deems there is enough future demand for power in the energy-hungry New England market.

Overall costs and ensuring the physical ability to pump all that new power to the southern market are also huge question marks, said Keir.

The study, which is expected to launch shortly, will last about six months.
While attending a recent gathering of eastern Canadian premiers and New England governors, Keir was asked by U.S. officials if the province is building a second reactor at Lepreau - to join the current 680-megawatt AECL Candu-6 model.

"I said, 'Are we? We'll build you two. If you've got the demand down there, and the business case works, we'll build two," Keir said.

"I'm very serious when I say that. If the opportunity is there, why wouldn't we want to do that?... It's a bit of a dream for me - the third reactor - but if it proves the case works, why wouldn't we think that big?"

Keir stressed the idea must make financial sense, claiming it is imperative the project help pay down the massive debt at NB Power, the province's public utility.

"Nothing goes forward unless it's good for the people of New Brunswick," he said.

The Shawn Graham government boasts often of its plan to supply power to the New England states through an energy hub centred in Saint John.
By Keir's rough estimate there will be a growing need for power in the northeast U.S. - likely measured in thousands of megawatts, he said.
That prediction appears spot on. According to officials at ISO New England, which oversees the local power system and market, the region will need 4,000MW in additional power over the next 10 years alone.

The government's desire to fill that void led to recent discussions between the province and both AECL and Areva, which has 58 reactors in France.
Graham recently travelled there to meet with company officials. But it appears AECL has impressed all involved with its plan.

"We've had wonderful discussions with AECL and their team," said Keir of the group known as Team Candu, which includes as partners SNC-Lavalin, Babcock & Wilcox Canada, GE Canada and Hitachi Canada.

"They really make the AECL proposal pretty enticing, frankly"¦
"I think the fact that they've got some players like that around the table certainly bodes well for them in terms of their proposal.

"We're not quite there yet (on a final decision). But I think it's fair to say that AECL has come to the table with a pretty interesting proposal."
And of Areva's seemingly fading chances?

"The other discussions we've had have been more broad-based.
"Solid discussions, but"¦ not specifically a proposal."

Keir's comments Friday hint the province may choose its technological partner even before starting the six-month feasibility study.

Officials with AECL have not yet been informed of a government decision, but feel good about their pitch.

"We're very optimistic that at the end of the process"¦ they'll come to the same conclusion that we have - that the ACR is the best option for New Brunswick," said spokesman Dale Coffin, noting the first unit could be in place and producing power by late 2016.

"(It will create) long-term opportunities for the province in developing a centre of excellence in the Candu nuclear field."

Not surprisingly, that's just what Keir is looking to achieve.
"As we've always said, it's more than just a second reactor. If we wanted just a second reactor we'd put out a (call for proposals) and let all the different technologies bid on that second reactor," he said.

"We're looking for much, much more than a second reactor"¦ We want to be able to build a nuclear industry around a second reactor."

By landing the first ACR, the province could become the epicentre for training, technological development and refurbishment efforts.

The Candu unit at Lepreau, built in the late 1970s, is currently in the early phases of a refurbishment effort expected to add 30 years to its life.
AECL officials foresee 18 similar projects around the world, with the potential for New Brunswick workers and technology to play a significant role.

"That's what I want people to have a vision of: not just a second reactor, and the 500 jobs that go with that, but"¦ a whole industry where we start to export our expertise around the world," said Keir.

But he's not the only one with such a notion.
Private interests in Alberta have inquired about two ACR units to fuel oil sands development, and public and private firms in Ontario are seeking up to four reactors.

However, New Brunswick does have history on its side: it was the first to land a Candu-6 model and the first utility to sell electricity from a nuclear station to the U.S.

For Keir, the ideal goal would be to produce energy for export, like Alberta, but without the blessing of a huge oil deposit.

Research and development, a glut of jobs and the unofficial title of 'ACR service centre' would all follow, he contends.
"I think that scenario is absolutely wonderful. That's what we're going to try to make happen," he said.

"We want to make an industry out of this and I think the opportunity is there to do that....How cool would it be?"
 
#4 ·
Retubing Plant

Saint John Centre to support Global CANDU 6 fleet

Saint John, NB, 2007 September 06 — Following the announcement by Team CANDU® that it will be conducting a feasibility study for an Advanced CANDU Reactor® (ACR-1000) in New Brunswick, AECL is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. David Scott as Regional Vice-President, CANDU 6® Retube/Refurbishments, effective immediately.

Based in Saint John, Mr. Scott will be responsible for developing AECL’s Centre of Excellence for Retubing. The Centre will be the focal point for managing, training and delivering CANDU 6 retube/refurbishment projects as part of AECL’s growing CANDU partnership with the Province of New Brunswick.

“By immediately opening the Retubing Centre of Excellence in Saint John, we will capitalize on the expertise already developed in New Brunswick for the Point Lepreau retube project, and support current and future CANDU 6 projects worldwide,” stated AECL’s Chief Operating Officer Ken Petrunik. “Our partnership with New Brunswick Power and our successful refurbishment work at the Point Lepreau station supports making our Saint John office the centre of refurbishment for the CANDU 6 fleet.”

Mr. Scott joined AECL in 1974 and over the years has gained extensive experience with CANDU design and operations. Most recently, he was General Manager of Reactor Core Projects, managing CANDU 6 refurbishing projects.
 
#5 ·
Proposed Second Refinery



Irving Oil’s proposed Project Eider Rock would see development of a new petroleum refinery in Saint John, New Brunswick that could process up to 300,000 barrels of crude oil per day.

This is a significant oppor-
tunity to create long-term economic benefits for the region and, specifically for the province of New Brunswick.

It would capitalize on North America’s need for clean fuels and build on Irving Oil’s history of serving customers in Atlantic Canada and the northeastern United States.
 
#6 ·
Saint John is the fastest growing metropolitan area in the east

By John Clinkard, Consulting Economist, CanaData

With an unemployment rate of 4.5% (a record low) and employment growth of 8.0% (a nine-year high), Saint John’s economy is clearly operating at almost full speed. Four key sectors are currently driving the Saint John economy.

The health services sector added an estimated 3,000 new jobs over the past twelve months. Secondly, employment in the wholesale and retail trade services sector increased significantly (+2,800). This was partly due to the opening of the East Point Mall.

In addition, refurbishing the Point LePreau Nuclear Plant and developing the Canaport LNG facility has contributed a significant increase in the manufacturing sector’s employment (+1,400) over the past twelve months. Finally, the utilities sector has, according to Statistics Canada, more than doubled in size over the past year, adding approximately 1,000 new jobs.

Despite a modest deterioration in affordability, housing demand in Saint John has escalated sharply over the past year. According to the Canadian Real Estate Association, year-to- date sales of existing homes are up by 27.8% over last year. Meanwhile, prices have risen by 12% over the same period. This healthy increase in housing demand has also triggered a spike in new construction.

Year-to-date housing starts in Saint John are up by 17.8%. This is primarily due to a 40% year-to-date increase in multiple-unit construction. The boom in residential construction has been complemented by a surge in non-residential building, the value of which is up 16.8% year-to-date in 2007.

In the first half of this year, industrial construction increased by 300% year over year. This was mainly due to the development of the aforementioned nuclear plant and LNG plant, as well as new gypsum wallboard plant by J.D. Irving Ltd.

In addition, the downtown redevelopment by CenterBeam and Commercial Properties Ltd. will boost commercial construction in Saint John over the next several quarters.

Looking forward, there are increased risks to the outlook, due to recent financial market volatility. Growing concerns about the impact on Canada of the collapse of the U.S. housing market are also a factor. Given that current major projects are underpinning Saint John’s economy and should continue for the next few years, economic growth in the CMA should remain strong well into 2009.

John Clinkard has 30 years experience as an Economist in international, national and regional research and analysis with leading financial institutions and media outlets in Canada.
 
#7 ·
That's quite a bit of development for Saint John, very impressive.

What kind of development is the Coast Guard site? Residential? Hotel? Mix?
 
#9 ·
^ awesome developments.

thanks for posting, and welcome to Skyscrapercity: Canada!
 
#14 ·
Other Developments

-Saint John Energy Offices (Under Construction on West Side)
-New Police Headquarters - $15-20 million (Uptown)
-Justice Complex - $28-30 million (at previous site of YMCA to be demolished soon)
-East Point Shopping Centre (1 of three phases complete)
-Starbucks to open first two locations on East Side (One ready to open in McAllister Place, the other during phase 2 of East Point)
-Cruise Ship Welcome Centre (Construction to begin shortly on Pugsley Wharf, to include plenty of park space)
-Housing Project on West Side - $14 million, 70 units (former DVA Hospital site)
-Apartments on Ellerdale Street (Under Construction and some proposed)
-Skateboard Park (Construction to begin in Spring under viaduct near Harbour Station)
-Mile One Interchange (Said to be the largest interchange project ever in NB, it will help route industrial traffic from Hwy 1. I've heard the current Staples will be levelled to make way for the interchange and rebuilt further on the East side. Construction should begin Spring/Summer)
-New Saint John Transit Garage/HQ
-BNG Plaza (West Side at site of current Saint John Transit Garage)
-Condos on Water Street (6-7 stories with parking garage)
-Best Western (Under Construction behind Boston Pizza)
-CRA Offices (Under Construction on corner of McAllister and Mountain View Drive)
-Expected announcement of Irving Oil Office Tower
 
#15 ·
East Point Shopping to make more news

On Wednesday, East Point Shopping will announce what's it's calling another "first for the province of New Brunswick."

Officials are refusing to say exactly what store might be locating at the East Side shopping complex, except to say it's a national retailer. East Point is located on Fashion Drive and the announcement will be made there at 11:30 Wednesday.
 
#19 ·
I don't think it means population wise as it appears on a census, but maybe economically and employment wise. Since the last census, more ppl are working and many have moved to take new jobs as well.

If all these developments stay on course, hopefully the population will begin to rise once again.
 
#20 ·
Chapters

Announced today...Indigo is opening a store at East Pointe Shopping Centre...likely part of phase II.

...also the stand-alone full-service Starbucks will likely be ready in February.


Big book store coming to Saint John
September 19, 2007 - 3:59 pm
By: News 88.9 Staff - Jeffrey Lansing


SAINT JOHN, NB - The city's new east side shopping district continues to grow with another big announcement made Wednesday.

Indigo Books will plant a 20-thousand square foot store in the city's new east point shopping centre.

Spokesperson Drew McGowen says they've had Saint John on their radar for the past few years, but now the location is good, and the economy is booming.

"Three years ago, the economy wasn't what it is today," said McGowen.

McGowen says the store is a signature section of Indigo and will offer a boutique style interior, sure to leave an impression on customers.

"They'll see the most vibrant store they've ever seen," McGowen said, "because there is no other of its kind, except for in Montreal."

The unique store will be the first Indigo for Atlantic Canada, and is expected to be built by next spring.
 
#21 · (Edited)
Other developments

- Wallboard plant under construction at old shipyard site
- Emera Brunswick pipeline
- Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plant and Infrastructure
- Secondary access road to Redhead through near McAllister Industrial Park



- Apt building on Leinster Street under construction



 
#23 ·
Indigo is coming
Development New bookstore described as 'Chapters on steroids'

Telegraph-Journal
Published Thursday September 20th, 2007
Appeared on page C1
SAINT JOHN - "It's like Chapters on steroids."


That was Troy Northrup's best description of the newest retailer to announce it is setting up shop at East Point Shopping on the city's East Side.

Indigo Books & Music Inc. announced Wednesday it will open an 18,000-square-foot store on Fashion Drive, adjacent to the soon-to-be completed Hampton Inn.

Construction will begin immediately and the target date for opening is late next spring.

Indigo, Canada's largest book retailer, operates more than 240 stores from coast to coast under the names Indigo, Chapters, The World's Biggest Bookstore and Coles.

Northrup, the developer of the East Point site, was beaming during the noon-hour media conference as he introduced politicians from all three levels of government and representatives from Indigo's Toronto head office.

The size of the Indigo store will be a bit bigger than a standard National Hockey League ice surface, but company spokesman Drew McGowen said the interior won't look anything like a stereotypical big-box store.

"The design is much more vibrant, it's no longer just a regular big-box store," said McGowen, Indigo's vice-president of real estate. "It's not a cavernous open bookstore. There's a children's section, a place where children and their parents can go where they can sit on a carpeted floor and in other stores it's proven to be a place where little children want to go and be with the books. There's a section for teens where they can go off on their own and look at books that interest them, there's a business section and others. This is a huge departure from traditional wide-open stores. I think when you see it you'll be blown away."

The campaign to lure Indigo/Chapters to Saint John has been ongoing for a number of years and McGowen said the time is right because the Port City is on the cusp of major developments in the energy sector.

"Three years ago, the economy wasn't what it is today in Saint John and what's ahead is exciting," he said. "Then you have to find the right location and what we have here at East Point is a great location."

McGowen said the Saint John store will be one of only two in Canada with this particular design and decor.

"(Saint John customers) will see the most vibrant store that they've ever seen. Because there is no other of its kind - besides our other store in Montreal - but even this one is being tweaked a little bit. It's a bookstore where each of the sections is like its own little boutique.

"Our research shows that our customers spend an average of 90 minutes in our store, while they might spend just 15 minutes in a Coles bookstore. We want to make that visit comfortable and appealing."

Both McGowen and Northrup said the intense lobbying efforts of Mayor Norm McFarlane helped draw the retailer to town.

"(McFarlane) personally has played a key role in making this announcement today a reality," said Northrup.

"The mayor pretty much was the catalyst for Indigo to dig a little deeper into this market and take a good look at it. I can tell you, there is no mayor more proactive than (McFarlane)," said McGowen.

"The economy is strong, there are lots of reasons for bringing business to Saint John. And that's why we're here today."

The mayor praised Northrup for his vision and business sense and encouraged him to keep working hard to attract more quality tenants to the East Point site.

"It seems like we are here every other week for exciting announcements to grow the retail sector of our community," said McFarlane, who also spoke at a media conference two weeks ago that announced a stand-alone Starbucks location would open at East Point. "I would come here every day or every week if I could. So Troy, keep them coming."

With hints from the developer that at least one more major announcement is forthcoming in the very near future, McFarlane envisions the Port City's becoming a shopping mecca.

"The new retailers we are attracting to the city will play a key role in making Saint John the community of choice in Atlantic Canada," said the mayor. "This is a very exciting day for me for a number of reasons.

"The first reason is because if there was one retailer that I've received calls about every week from citizens since becoming mayor, it was for a Chapters, and now we're even receiving a step above with Indigo.

"The second reason is because I've had an opportunity to be directly involved in the pitch for Indigo with Troy and his team. I truly believe that we have the opportunity to become the retail shopping destination in Atlantic Canada."

 
#24 ·
Saint John is growing, but not very healthy. The decentralization of the consumer base, from Saint John Centre, moving to Saint John East is a travisty that will only lead to another Clayton Park/Bayers Lake in a Maritime Urban centre.

What are more positive developments though is the new Cruise ship terminal going up on Long Warf, where it will spur more waterfront development along the harbour passage (which is one of the nicest walks I have to take to work). I find the cities decision makers are even worse than the ones in Halifax, because even progressive designs are hitting the streets in Hali-wood.

The major saving grace for Saint John, s the young money that's appearing, that has younger, and more dynamic ideas.

Just to post what I've seen in the this city over the year.
 
#27 ·
City skateboarders ‘are going to be ecstatic’

Sandra Davis
Telegraph-Journal
Published Tuesday September 25th, 2007
Appeared on page C3

SAINT JOHN - Rippers (really good skaters) and novices alike will be "stoked" when they see detailed plans of a half-million-dollar skateboard park on Wednesday night, predicts the chairman of the Fundy Skateboard Association.

"I think the kids are going to be ecstatic," says Jason MacLean.

"I think it's going to be a slam-dunk."

On Wednesday at 7 p.m., a public information session on the Saint John Skatepark will be held in the New Brunswick Museum's Mary Oland Theatre.

McLean doesn't want to reveal too much about the plan, by New Line Skateparks, because he wants the skaters to get the first peek but says it's one of the nicest designs he's seen on paper.

"I love that it respects the flow and the nature of the uptown," he said.

The park is broken up into various trick pieces with additions like "skateable art" keeping things interesting.

"It's just a beautiful piece of landscape, but it also maintains certain historic details, like brickwork."

First and foremost, said MacLean, the skaters will have to like what they see. "In my opinion, they'll give it a unanimous thumbs up," he said.

The 1,300-square-metre skatepark, which will sit under the viaduct between Harbour Passage and Harbour Station, will be open by early summer.

Accessibility to uptown and its vicinity to three high schools adds to the park's attraction, MacLean has said.
 
#28 ·
Park will be unique



Telegraph-Journal
Published Thursday September 27th, 2007
Appeared on page C1

SAINT JOHN - It's been a long time coming, but skateboarders got their first glimpse of the Port City's new skateboard park Wednesday night at the Mary Oland Theatre.
Advertisement

"It's been a long process and I'm sure the kids are tired of hearing about it," said Jason MacLean, the driving force behind the project.

Standing under the viaduct, MacLean and designer and contractor Kyle Dion of New Line Skateparks surveyed what is now a parking lot, but will next year be full of skaters grinding axles and flipping boards.

"We want their buy in," MacLean said Wednesday afternoon.

The park will have some 30 elements to entertain area skaters, but the ramps that were planned around the concrete viaduct supports have been removed because of sewer, water, gas and other utility lines in the area. The utilities snaking every which way just metres below the surface have complicated the design and meant digging must be limited. The design must also accommodate maintenance vehicles that require access to the underside of the viaduct. "So it really forced us to go in a certain direction."

"The major challenge on this site is every kind utility you can imagine is running through the site in all different directions," said Dion.

The 1,300-square-metre skatepark, which will sit under the viaduct between Harbour Passage and Harbour Station, will open by early summer.

The price tag for the park will hover around $500,000 with major donations coming from the province, corporate donors and the city.

"We really have to give a lot of credit to this council for being supportive of this project," MacLean said. "The political will was there."

To the uninitiated, the park will resemble some haphazardly placed concrete steps, rails and half-finished pipes, but to skateboarders the park will be a concrete wonderland that resembles the elements of any city that skaters love to ride over and on.

Sgt. Jim Flemming of the Saint John Police Force and a booster of the park said it shows a commitment and investment in area youth.

"Most of these kids are just trying to have fun," Flemming said. "The problem is there's no place to go."

Dion said there may be constraints, but the Saint John park is unique and will stand out because its located in the uptown core and not hidden in a suburban or industrial wasteland.

"Its context is amazing," Dion said. "So it really has a very, very unique sense of place. It's going to scream 'this is the Saint John Skatepark.'"

Using red brick and the like, Dion said they will tie the park into the city's heritage architecture.

"We want to bring some of that flavour into the park here," Dion said. "We're not going to be all things to everybody, but (we'll) just try to create a really unique skateboarding space within the city and hopefully it's just sort of a catalyst to more."

The park may not be the largest, but Dion said it will be one of the most unique in the country.

"It will never get boring."
 
#29 ·
Wave energy firm makes pitch to set up shop in N.B.

Reid Southwick
Telegraph-Journal
Published Thursday September 27th, 2007
Appeared on page B1

SAINT JOHN - Saint John is in line to be home to the first Canadian manufacturing plant for generating stations that harness the power of ocean waves.


The plant would create roughly 150 high-paying jobs in an industry that is estimated to be worth $12 billion in about 10 years, says Perry Toms, the firm's vice-president of business development for Wave Energy Technologies, a Winnipeg-based firm that has a patent on the technology.

Toms told the Atlantic Canada Power Summit on Wednesday Wave Energy could set up offices in the Port City before the end of the year.

The two-day event saw utility executives, government officials and other leading experts highlight challenges and opportunities facing the Atlantic region and beyond.

Following New Brunswick Energy Minister Jack Keir's keynote address, Toms made an impromptu proposal to grow a Canadian waves-based power generation industry from Saint John.

"We can build a business here that will export some very, very bright Canadian technology to the rest of the world," Toms told the minister in a question and answer session following Keir's speech. "That's about manufacturing, that's about smart jobs; and that's about more than just exploiting a natural resource, but about exploiting an entire industry."

Keir expressed interest in the proposal and welcomed further discussion on the matter. He later told reporters the province would ensure such a project fulfilled the necessary procedures and policy requirements.

Wave Energy Technologies' product has been in development for 17 years. The company is now looking for the best location to open a manufacturing plant and is considering jurisdictions in the Maritimes, Canada's West Coast and the United States.

The company is in the middle of raising $10 million to fund its operations, said Toms, and it expects to grow an organization worth between $600 and $700 million over the next 10 years.

Toms said the technology is designed to complement, and not replace, tidal power technologies. While tidal power harnesses undersea currents, this technology captures the movement of water on or just below the surface of the water to drive a turbine.

Companies in the United States and Europe have been studying waves-based power generation for some time, and the industry is expected to see major growth, said Toms. New Brunswick, meanwhile, has the opportunity to host a made-in-Canada manufacturing plant that can capitalize on the revenues, he said.

Toms said New Brunswick offers good universities, an intelligent workforce and a government that is interested in developing an energy industry, all characteristics that give the province an edge.

If New Brunswick gave Wave Energy Technologies the nod to launch a plant in Saint John, the company would be able to open head offices and begin hiring staff before the end of the year. The company would prepare the product for market until the end of 2009 and would be ready to start manufacturing by the following year.

The plant would create 150 jobs, including designers and engineers, which would last beyond the construction stage.

"This isn't just about construction jobs," said Tons. "This is about a long-term investment in this province and this region."
 
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