All systems are a go with your Colchester/Truro civic centre, with a great deal of activity behind the scenes and at the design stages

I am sure that most people have kept up with some of the recent developments with respect to the project, especially those things which are the most public.

One such story that stands out for me was when the Project Steering Committee (PSC) received word from the provincial government indicating that it is not in a position to fulfill its $10-million commitment to the project until 2017.

When this development was made public, a number of people questioned whether the project might be halted, but rest assured that we are continuing to move forward. While this was disappointing news for the PSC to receive, being potentially costly to the project, we came together and reaffirmed our commitment to the project and to the space programming which had already been confirmed.

I am happy to report that PSC members are currently working with the provincial government to resolve this timing issue, and to develop an agreeable payment schedule which will not compromise the project and will be mutually beneficial to all parties.

We are now in the detailed design process for the new civic centre, and while this is perhaps one of the most exciting stages, it is also one which requires a great deal of care and refinement to ensure that the final product will meet the needs of our entire community.  The design and construction committee are deeply involved in the micro-planning phase of the design process and are now considering mechanical and electrical systems such as the ice plant, electrical and heating systems and pool construction options to be incorporated into the centre. Initially, we had hoped to unveil final designs during public information sessions in June and July, but we now expect to deliver them in August.

Our construction managers, PCL, are finalizing the details of the Class B costing and designs. To clarify PCLs role in the project, they are responsible for design and building analysis, and management of the construction. In essence, they are the watchdogs for the project, ensuring that we receive the facility we have undertaken to build for our community at the cost we have agreed we can afford. Perhaps most importantly, PCL will continue to monitor project costs, will keep their fingers on the pulse of what is happening with the tradespeople who will be essential to the timely completion of this project and will co-ordinate tendering for the project.

As a sneak peak at where the committee is with respect to the design process, it should be noted that there have been a few alterations to the original space programming. Initially, it was anticipated that we would have a 3,200-seat arena. It has now been found necessary to reduce this to 2,600 to 2,700 because of cost and design considerations. I should note that for events and trade shows we will have the ability to accommodate upwards of 3,500 people. All other facility components are consistent with early designs and will be discussed in detail at the public presentations in upcoming months.

If you have any questions or comments that you would like to share, we can be reached through our website www.ignitethespirit.caor by email at ignitethespirit@colchester.ca

By Jason Malloy

TRURO – Town council has put a contingency plan in place in case the province takes longer than anticipated to fund its share of the new civic centre.

Town council passed a motion yesterday authorizing its two civic centre steering committee members to be able to increase the town’s share of the project by up to $960,000. It is a 10-per cent increase of the town’s previous commitment of $9.6 million.

The town and Municipality of Colchester were surprised about a month ago to find out the province was not going to be able to meet the original timetable for paying its $10-million share of the project. The province said in a letter it would pay its full share by 2017, compared to the original timeline by 2012. The change would increase the project price by $1.8 million in carrying cost for the town and county.

Coun. Greg MacArthur, who is a co-chairman for the civic centre steering committee, stressed following Monday’s meeting the project’s budget has not increased. Steering committee members are trying to arrange a meeting with municipal relations minister Ramona Jennex to discuss the issue.

“If we get the $1.8 million settled, you shouldn’t need this money at all,” he told the Truro Daily News.

The funds enable the committee to continue to move the $50-million project forward, knowing the money is there if needed.

Some councillors voiced concerns about the project potentially coming in over budget and pushed the committee to ensure that doesn’t happen.

“Once we start spending the money, where are we going to stop?” asked Sharron Byers, the only council member to vote against the motion. “I have a great deal of concern as to whether or not is this the final (increase) and there’s nothing to indicate it is.”

The project will be tendered in segments, which also raised concern for Byers.

“Once this is started we won’t be turning around,” she said. “We can’t leave a building partially finished.”

Other council members were supportive of the request.

“We have an opportunity that doesn’t come by very often,” said Coun. Diane Bennett-Cook, referring to the $10 million the federal and provincial governments have each committed towards the project. “I think we have to trust our committee … They’re not going to put us in a position that we can’t fund this.”

MacArthur said the committee has a company working as its construction management firm for the project, which is hoped will keep the project on budget.

Kathy Sutherland (left) and Dave Ritcey accept a cheque for $10,000 on behalf of the Ignite the Spirit Campaign in support of the Central Nova Scotia Civic Centre Project from the Truro and District Chamber of Commerce President Chantele Hache and Executive Director, Tim Tucker.

The Truro and District Chamber of Commerce “Ignited the Spirit” of Colchester last evening at their 1st annual “Best of Colchester Awards.”  More than 280 nominees were presented in 25 categories and online voting determined winners. More than 19,000 rounds of voting were submitted for the competition during the two-week voting period.

Also at the award ceremony, the chamber of commerce revealed it made a $10,000 commitment over three years to the Ignite the Spirit campaign in support of the Central Nova Scotia Civic Centre Project. 

“We’ve made this commitment because we believe a new civic centre will bring direct and indirect spinoffs in large quantities to our local business community,” said chamber president Chantale Haché.

Jon Stanfield, Chair of the Ignite the Spirit Campaign adds “ we are very thankful for the Chamber’s commitment to the project and their understanding of what this centre will do for our community.  Their early leadership is a testament to the belief the members of the Chamber have in this project, and it will go a long way towards setting the stage for a successful campaign.”

JASON MALLOY
The Truro Daily News

TRURO – The dream has become a reality.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced $10 million Thursday towards central Nova Scotia’s long discussed civic centre on behalf of the federal government.
“Ladies and gentlemen, the Truro civic centre is now a reality,” Defence Minister Peter MacKay said to a loud applause at the Holiday Inn Hotel and Conference Centre. “As you can see, prime minister, we all like the sound of that, almost as much as we’ll like the sound of excavators breaking ground.”
Harper said the new facility would be a breeding ground for the next generation of hockey players.
“This modern facility will feature an NHL-size ice surface, with seating for 3,200 spectators to cheer on Truro’s future draft picks,” Harper said.
The nearly $50-million facility will also feature a walking track, aquatics centre, fitness centre, multi-purpose/professional space, community meeting space, a climbing wall and other amenities. Construction is expected to start this spring off of Exit 13 of Highway 102 and be complete in the fall of 2012.
The $10 million was the last big component of government funding that had not been announced.
“If it wasn’t there we wouldn’t be able to build it,” Municipality of Colchester Mayor Bob Taylor said.
The county has committed $14.4 million, the Town of Truro $9.6 million and the provincial government $10 million. The remaining $5 million will be raised through fundraising in the community.
The idea of a regional civic centre started in 2004 during the region’s bid for the 2011 Canada Winter Games.
“We all know the Games were awarded to Halifax, but the dream of a civic centre for Truro did not die,” Cumberland Colchester Musquodoboit Valley M.P. Scott Armstrong said.
He noted the tireless efforts of Jon Stanfield, Duane Rath and their committee for keeping the project going. Both men, as well as a number of other steering committee members, attended the ceremony. About 80 people were invited to the announcement with many being staunch Conservative supporters.
MacKay said the facility will not be “just another municipal building.”
“This will be a showcase for sport here in the Truro and surrounding area that has produced some incredible athletes,” he said.
Harper was asked why it took so long for the federal government to make the announcement. He responded by congratulating Armstrong for how quickly he delivered the funding after being elected in November.
Armstrong later said the announcement was not slowed down, except for the summer provincial election and federal byelection.
“An announcement of this type has to go through several bureaucratic hurdles and those hurdles are put in place … to make sure that taxpayers’ money is spent wisely and effectively,” he said.
Truro Mayor Bill Mills was already thinking about many years into the future.
“In the years ahead, when I am asked, how did we do this, let’s just say ‘well, we got by with a lot of help from our friends.’”

This announcement brings the total funding committed from municipal, provincial and federal governments to $44 Million.  A Community capital campaign is expected to raise an additional $ 5 million, to finalize funding required for the facility, expected to open in the fall of 2012.

On hand for the celebratory announcement was Civic Centre Project Co-Chair Bob Taylor, who stated “Our community has realized the importance of building this facility for some time and it is wonderful to see all levels of government step forward and share the same vision.  Jon Stanfield, Chair of the “Ignite the Spirit” Campaign has been working behind the scenes for some time to finalize this third stream of government funding and we are thankful to Prime Minister Harper, Peter MacKay and Scott Armstrong for delivering the commitment on behalf of the Federal Government. Now it is up to us as a community to make this happen.  I have to say I am very excited and happy to be here today for this historic announcement.” 

The facility is expected to include a 3200 seat event stadium, NHL sized ice surface, walking/jogging track, aquatic centre, fitness centre, multi-purpose/professional space, community meeting space, climbing wall and a number of other amenities to meet the needs of Central Nova Scotia residents. 

 “This announcement is yet another milestone in the progress of this community project and is an investment that will improve the quality of life for all residents, not only in Central Nova, but also in the rest of the province and beyond,” noted Greg MacArthur, a Project Co-Chair.  “The cooperation between The Town of Truro and County of Colchester has helped bring the project to where it is today.  This relationship, coupled with the countless volunteer hours on the part of our project steering committee and their respective sub-committees, has clearly shown the wonderful things that can be done when we all work together.  There is no doubt whatsoever that we will have a Centre that will exceed all of our expectations.

 In July, 2008 the Town of Truro and the County of Colchester together signed a Memorandum of Understanding to provide the citizens of Central Nova Scotia with a multi-purpose recreational, sport and community gathering place.  The vision of the proposed Civic Centre is to move beyond the offerings of a traditional recreational facility and meet a variety of needs for all of the community.

By Monique Chiasson

Federal politician Peter MacKay is not saying exactly when funding for a local civic centre will arrive.
He does, however, say it will be very soon.
“I hope to be back here very soon … in the very near future. Your patience will pay off,” MacKay, the Minister of National Defence and Minister for the Atlantic Gateway, said Sunday. MacKay was in town announcing $855,000 federal funding for renovations to the Colchester Legion Stadium. Renovations began in the summer.
“That (money) is not a substitute in any way for the civic centre funding,” assured MacKay.
Funding for the civic centre is of “enormous importance,” he said, adding he had hoped money would have been made available in the fall. He said that didn’t happen because the area was in the midst of a byelection, filling the void in the seat vacated by then MP Bill Casey. Scott Armstrong went on to win the Conservative seat for Cumberland Colchester Musquodoboit Valley.
MacKay said the holdup now is an administrative one.
Everything “appears in place … it’s an administrative challenge. The funding is through the Department of Transport and it has had its busiest period in decades,” MacKay told the Truro Daily News, adding funding for the project is “one of the province’s priorities.”
Truro Mayor Bill Mills said he’s hopeful the funding will come into fruition, regardless of the timeline. “It doesn’t matter when as long as it comes,” Mills said.
Armstrong said he’s confident money will be forthcoming. “They are working their way through bureaucratic hurdles,” Armstrong said.
“People ask when it will come. I think there’s a general acceptance it will come … I don’t see anything stopping the money from coming.”

By Monique Chiasson

TRURO – Colchester County council has officially decided to nearly double its financial commitment for a new civic centre.
Council decided Thursday night it would contribute the $14.4-million capital contribution, as opposed to the original estimate of $6.6 million, for the nearly $50 million multi-use facility.
Councillors said public feedback has been varied.
“Ninety-five per cent of the people I talk to say this is something we have to do,” said Coun. Tom Taggart.
“I’ve heard a lot of people say they have concerns that (we) can’t afford to run it,” said Coun. Mike Cooper.
Mayor Bob Taylor said community events will help bring in revenue.
“We should expect … it to make a profit or at least break even,” said Coun. Bill Masters.
The decision was unanimous with only Coun. Bob White absent at the time of the vote. The decision is conditional based on the federal government confirming a $10-million contribution, capital cost sharing ratio of 60 per cent from the county and 40 per cent from Town of Truro and new capital grants received from government or government agencies.
The Town of Truro agreed this week to double its contribution from $4.4 million to $9.6 million.

By Jason Malloy

TRURO – The Town of Truro has agreed to nearly double its financial commitment for a new civic centre, but it may limit the town’s borrowing for the foreseeable future.
Director of finance Robert Putnam explained the implications of increasing
the town’s contribution from $4.4 million to $9.6 million. It raises the town’s debt-service ratio to 16.5 per cent while Service Nova Scotia’s calculation is just under 15 per cent because it excludes a couple of projects from its calculation.
“Service Nova Scotia advises that a debt-service ratio greater than 15 per cent will require discussion between Service Nova Scotia and Town of Truro representatives before any new debt is incurred,” Putnam told council Monday. “We will be right at the limit.”
He said the increase would result in a $130 a year extra in taxes for an average $100,000 property.
Council did approve the expenditure, but it was not unanimous.
Ward 3 Coun. Sharron Byers said it was a “fabulous” project that will be great for the town before voting against the increased expenditure.
“My great concern is how are we going to pay for it and still move the town forward?” she asked. “I have extreme concerns.”
Mayor Bill Mills said the town would need to have “very sharp pencils” heading forward.
“I know it’s going to be tough,” he said, “but certainly we are not entering this blindly.”
Mills said the committee would have to explore options to keep the price down, such as alternative fuel sources and a corporate sponsor.
He said there are many businesses that have come to town during the past year, apartment buildings being planned and other future developments that bring increased tax revenue to the town.
Ward 2 Coun. Brian Kinsman said the town is getting a $50-million facility for $10 million. “It will be a challenge, but we want to move forward, we have to spend some money,” he said.
Coun. Greg MacArthur, who is co-chairman of the civic centre committee, is “gung-ho” for the project.
“It is a project that is going to make a difference for the next 50 years,” he said. “In the long run we will gain so much.”
It is expected the money will have to be paid back during a 20-year borrowing period.
The Municipality of Colchester County last month voted to increase its cost from $6.6 million to $14.4 million

TRURO – Colchester County has tentatively approved spending $14.4 million as the municipality’s contribution towards a new regional civic centre.
“Wow,” Mayor Bob Taylor responded immediately after a resounding unanimous vote to more than double the county’s contribution, after it was recently learned the estimated cost of the proposed facility had increased to $49.9 million.
“This is definitely a legacy vote,” Coun. Mike Cooper said during discussion on the issue, regardless of which way council decided.
But he suggested it would be better to be remembered for creating a facility that would be a community centrepiece for decades to come rather than be recalled as the council that prevented the project from moving ahead.
Council’s decision, which is to receive official approval at the Dec. 10 council committee meeting, is dependent upon a $10-million contribution from the federal government and a 40 per cent share ($9.6 million) of the municipal contribution from the Town of Truro.
The county had earlier committed to funding 6.6 million of the project (based on a 60 per cent municipal contribution) while Truro had committed to contributing $4.4
million.
The province of Nova Scotia has also committed to contributing $10 million, while the citizen-led civic centre committee is on the hook for $5 million.
ACOA is also expected to contribute $855,000.
A decision on how council is going to pay for its contribution is not expected until it completes its budget deliberations in the spring. Several options presented to council Thursday night, however, show residential tax rates increasing annually from a low of 3.7 cents per $100 of assessment to a high of 6.1 cents per 100 of assessment.
With the average residential assessment listed at $86,100, those rates equate to an average household increase of between $31.35 and $52.50 per year for 20 years.
But while several councillors expressed concern for how that might impact low- and fixed-income residents, they said the overall response from constituents is that the project should proceed.
“I look at this as an investment,” said Coun. Jimmy LeFresne. “This is what we need for our community. It is an investment, not an expenditure. Even though you are asking for more than 50 per cent in funding, this is still a good buy.”

OUR OPINION
Gulp. That was our initial reaction to the recent disclosure that Colchester County’s proposed new civic centre would cost close to $50 million if construction started today.

Geez, wasn’t the project only going to cost $33 million when, after much discord, the Town of Truro and the county finally signed a memorandum of understanding 16 months ago?

Well, that was then and this is now and, rising construction costs notwithstanding, we still maintain the civic centre is one of the best community investments we could ever make.

It will attract high-profile sporting events and concerts. It will tap into the small convention and trade show market that is otherwise lost to Halifax and Moncton. It will provide a place to exercise and meet for young and old alike.

In short, this venture will send a very visible message to the thousands of vehicles that cruise up and down Highway 102 daily that good things are happening in Truro and Colchester County. It will say this is a vibrant place to live, to raise families, to work and to retire.

But let’s go back to the $50 million price tag for a moment.

It’s a monumental amount to be sure but what’s the alternative? Do we wait until the Colchester Legion Stadium falls down before broaching the topic again? And what would the price tag be then?

There’s no guarantee that significant provincial and federal contributions would be on the table down the road, either. OK, the feds haven’t even made any official announcements now but we remain optimistic. Particularly with Christmas just around the corner.

Here’s an example of what can happen to those who wait.

In 1986, Truro spent $13 million to build a water treatment plant at the top of Young Street. It was a significant expenditure at the time but if the project had been put off to today, for example, it would cost, according to one insider, at least double or triple the original amount.

We say yes to the civic centre and when the project’s fundraising committee comes calling we hope you contribute what you can.