Thursday, May 23rd, 2019

The Province of Nova Scotia has proclaimed May 23, 2019 as Municipal Workplace Wellness Day. Creating this province-wide municipal workplace wellness day sends a message to municipal employees, and future employees, that our government is serious about employee health and wellbeing.

Thursday, May 23rd, 2019

The current system of keeping keys to buildings is being replaced with a lock box program.

The Town of Yarmouth congratulates and welcomes Steve Berry as the newest member of Town Council

A Project Kick-off and Groundbreaking event took place in Yarmouth on Friday to celebrate the start of a major infrastructure project at the Yarmouth International Ferry Terminal

Friday, May 3, 2019 - Yarmouth, N.S. – Representatives from all three levels of government were on hand at the Yarmouth International Ferry Terminal today for a project kick-off and groundbreaking event. Colin Fraser, Member of Parliament for West Nova, the Honourable Zach Churchill, Member of the Legislative Assembly for Yarmouth,  Pam Mood, Mayor of the Town of Yarmouth, Daniel Allen, Councillor for Municipality of Yarmouth, and Danny Muise, Deputy Warden of the Municipality of Argyle, came together to celebrate the start of crucial redevelopment work at the terminal. 

Tourism is an important industry for all Nova Scotians, and the Maine to Nova Scotia Ferry plays a key role in its growth. The revitalisation of the Yarmouth Ferry Terminal will ensure that proper infrastructure is in place to operate the ferry service successfully, strengthening the stability of the service for years to come.

Since the funding announcement in September 2018, considerable pre-design work has been completed.  The Town of Yarmouth has also awarded the contract for the Prime Consultant to CBCL Limited of Halifax. With an experienced engineering firm hired, work is set to get underway this spring.

“Nova Scotians and visitors from all over North America will soon be able to enjoy improved services and the beautiful new facilities of the revitalized Yarmouth International Ferry Terminal,” said Colin Fraser, Member of Parliament for West Nova, on behalf of the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities. “This vital link with our southern neighbors will attract more tourists, and increase economic opportunities for businesses across Nova Scotia. I am happy I could be here today to celebrate this important milestone.”

“The Nova Scotia-Maine ferry plays an important role in our tourism industry, particularly in southwest Nova,” said Education and Early Childhood Development Minister Zach Churchill, on behalf of Municipal Affairs Minister Chuck Porter.  “The ferry has a positive impact on the region’s local tourism operators, small businesses and the provincial economy. The Government of Nova Scotia is, therefore, pleased to support upgrades to the Yarmouth terminal, which support this ferry service.  The upgrades will also help ensure that the visitors we welcome from the eastern seaboard will have an enhanced visitor experience when they arrive in Yarmouth.”

“This is a great day in Yarmouth,” expressed Yarmouth Mayor Pam Mood. “With another season of welcoming visitors about to begin, I’m very happy to see this project moving ahead. It represents progress and a bright future for the town and entire region as we continue to grow our tourism industry.  As the owner and operator of the ferry terminal, our staff has worked hard in recent months to get us to this point. When this phase of work is complete, the Town of Yarmouth will have a refreshed and welcoming facility we can all be proud of.”

“The Municipality of Yarmouth continues to support major regional transportation infrastructure as part of its investment readiness work,” said Municipality of Yarmouth Councillor, Daniel Allen.  “The improvements to the Yarmouth Ferry Terminal, Canada’s link to the USA via the CAT Ferry, are an example of that priority and a demonstration that our communities are open for business.  We invite the world to come to Canada through the Yarmouth Ferry Terminal.  The Municipality is grateful to its partners: the Government of Canada; the Province of Nova Scotia; the Town of Yarmouth; and the Municipality of Argyle.”

“This project is an integral part of upgrading the ferry service,” said Argyle Deputy Warden Danny Muise. “It will improve working conditions in many aspects of the terminal operations, including better traffic flow for both Bay Ferries and Canada Border Services Agency.” 

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Project Scope & Timeline                      
CBCL Limited has begun to mobilize on detailed design, required testing, and inspections. Work ranges from measurements and visual inspections to destructive testing. To not interrupt regular ferry service, CBCL will concentrate project planning during the operational season (spring and summer) with heavy construction activities taking place in the off-season (fall and winter). Major demolition and construction will begin this fall.

The scope for Phase 1 upgrades has been categorized into eight key items: 

1. Pontoon Replacement/Refurbishing
2. Linkspan Bridge Replacement/Refurbishing
3. Yard works to reconfigure the traffic flow
4. Lighting upgrades to meet changes in service hours and security requirements
5. Primary Inspection Line (PIL) Booths for security processing
6. Bay Ferries Limited booths for the service provider and ticket processing
7. Demolition of the aged and unnecessary infrastructure that will be replaced Building upgrades to ensure operational demands

May 2^nd, 2019

To: all residents and stakeholders

Re: Mariners Centre Expansion

As residents of Yarmouth County, we are fortunate to have great outdoor spaces and recreational facilities. We have access to spaces that allow us to gather and enjoy a variety of sports and leisure activities. Our region took a leap forward in 2001 when Mariners Centre opened its doors. It gave us a two-surface ice arena and  multi-purpose possibilities allowing us to host trade shows, concerts, Relay for Life, Hospital Hullaballoo, graduations, Remembrance Day ceremonies, and more.  In recent years other indoor recreation needs have been expressed, and the three Councils have come together to take our community another step further. The focal point of discussion has been around an expansion at Mariners Centre.

A consultant’s report completed in 2017 provided a solid foundation as it outlined various needs and made suggestions for new spaces. While this report was not the final word, it did provide some valuable background information that would allow us to move forward when the time was right.

As you may have heard, NOW may be that time!  A wonderful opportunity has made itself available: a new federal/provincial infrastructure program with a specific category for recreation projects.  This opportunity might allow the dream of an expansion to become a reality.

We need to act fast. The timeline for submitting a funding application is tight. To make this happen, we formed a steering committee of nine members representing our three municipalities. Since forming, our focus has been to build a solid application, as quickly as possible. Through our meetings, the committee came to a consensus on what this next phase of expansion could include. We have also outlined some key goals as we move toward an application.

So in consideration of all the information available to us, we have determined that the funding application will outline an expansion that supports the following key needs:

1)      The application will seek funding for recreation opportunities we do not have today.

2)      Any planned expansion should support multi-use possibilities. The goal is to support a wide variety of uses, and the largest number of users for every dollar invested.

3)      We will focus on an expansion that maximizes social and economic growth, increases our population, and attracts professionals (e.g. medical professionals) and their families to the region.

4)      This phase of expansion at Mariners Centre must address the needs of our ageing population, help promote active lifestyles, and promote overall personal wellness.

5)     Any expansion must consider ongoing operating costs, and be responsible to future taxpayers in both the capital and operating stages.

As a group, we all agreed that adding an aquatics centre, an indoor/outdoor track, and a multi-purpose field house would help address these needs.

Many people have asked, “What is a field house?” There is no single definition, but our vision is an indoor facility that has a modern sports turf field.  The sort of facility that is suitable for soccer, rugby, golf, Frisbee, and much more.  It would have an indoor track for running and walking, as well as other ancillary facilities and equipment.

If our application is successful, detailed designs and configurations will be discussed as part of a typical project development process. First, we need to take a shot at the opportunity for funding! Until it becomes clear the money is available, any work we put our hearts and minds into is for a dream that may not become a reality. 

We have also received questions about the management of any new facilities. We have not determined the governance and operation of an expanded Mariners Centre at this time. That also comes later. As a group, we have agreed that the YMCA could serve as an operator of an aquatics centre, and we are open to discussion on that matter.  If we are successful in getting funding, much community engagement will happen. Our steering committee will grow and we will determine the best way to operate these new spaces.

As representatives of our communities, we will share our vision, explain our decisions, and keep all of our stakeholders updated on our activities. This letter is a first step toward accomplishing these goals. Our job right now is to build an application. We are working the clock, plain and simple. 

So stay tuned. This group will work hard to make a strong case for funds to create exciting new spaces for all of us to enjoy!

Sincerely,

Mariners Centre Expansion Steering Committee

CBCL Limited of Halifax has been awarded the contract to provide engineering services for Phase 1 redevelopment of the Yarmouth International Ferry Terminal

Tuesday, April 30, 2019 - Yarmouth, N.S. –  With work set to begin next month, the Town of Yarmouth has awarded the contract for the Prime Consultant for Phase 1 of the Yarmouth Ferry Terminal Redevelopment. Following a recommendation at a recent council meeting, a motion was passed to hire CBCL Limited, an Engineering and Environmental, Design and Consulting firm based in Halifax.

After issuing a request for proposals (RFP) last month, the Town of Yarmouth Engineering Department received several submissions from interested firms. Engineering staff and members of the Ferry Terminal Project Steering Committee undertook an exhaustive evaluation process.  The committee established a team to assist with evaluation questions, point scoring, and recommendations.  Submissions were tested based on a pre-defined point scoring system included in the RFP package. After much discussion and individual scoring, the evaluation team recommended CBCL .

John Flewelling, President and CEO says “CBCL is pleased to have been selected to provide engineering services for the Yarmouth Ferry Terminal Upgrade Project.  We are excited to be working with the Town of Yarmouth and project stake holders to generate the best value for the investments being made at the terminal facilities.”

CBCL will be on the ground in Yarmouth soon. Initial work will include detailed design, testing, and inspections. Work ranges from measurements and visual inspections to destructive testing with major construction and demolition beginning in the fall of 2019. All work for the project is slated for completion by the fall of 2021.

A Project Kick-Off Event takes place on Friday, May 3^rd at 2:30pm at the Ferry Terminal. The event  will be hosted by Colin Fraser, Member of Parliament for West Nova, the Honourable Zach Churchill, MLA for Yarmouth; Pam Mood, Mayor, Town of Yarmouth; Daniel Allen, Councillor, Municipality of the District of Yarmouth, and Danny Muise, Deputy Warden, Municipality of the District of Argyle. All are welcome to attend.

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About CBCL
CBCL Limited is an employee-owned company providing Engineering and Environmental Design and Consulting Services with approximately 350 employees and offices in all four Atlantic Provinces and in Ottawa Ontario. CBCL has extensive experience with ferry terminals throughout Atlantic Canada and has a longstanding working relationship with the Town of Yarmouth and local contractors. Website: http://www.cbcl.ca/index.html