Thanks to its modern facilities, varied programming and valuable educational opportunities, the new Fundy Civic Centre will offer a broad range of benefits to present and future generations of all ages, levels of physical and athletic ability, and financial means.

The Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan, which operates the potash mine in Penobsquis, has donated $1 million toward a new recreation centre to serve

Sussex and the surrounding area.

The donation is going towards the $3 million capital campaign goal for the Fundy Civic Centre.

The new facility will now be named the PotashCorp Civic Centre. It will cost approximately $6 million and include a 25-metre swimming pool, walking/ jogging track and fitness room.

"PotashCorp's generous gift provides an incredible financial boost to the success of this project," said Fundy Civic Centre representative John

Robinson. "In choosing to support a facility that will offer fitness and fun to people in our community, PotashCorp is also making an important

contribution to our quality of life."

The Penobsquis mine and processing facility is a major employer and economic generator for the Sussex area. The mine produces potash fertilizer for world

markets and is also a major source of rock salt, which is used on highways and roads to melt ice during the winter.

When fundraisers for a new civic centre for Sussex approached the region's largest employer for cash toward the facility's capital campaign, they asked

big.

And they got it.

Garth Moore, PotashCorp's president of PCS Potash, announced Tuesday a gift of $1 million toward what has been renamed the PotashCorp Civic Centre.

He made the announcement before a room full of civic centre board members, business leaders and local politicians.

No longer will the project, which has been a dream for the region for upwards of 20 years, be known as the Fundy Civic Centre.

"The secret's out," said enthusiastic board member and communications chairwoman Karen Chantler.

PotashCorp's gift brings the $6-million pool project to within about a half million dollars of its goal.

"We had hoped that your corporation would consider supporting this project at a level you deemed appropriate, but we never once imagined that your

presentation cheque would have as many zeros and for that we are extremely grateful and pleasantly surprised," said John Robinson, chairman of the

civic centre's campaign cabinet.

Civic centre board chairman David Medders said while the board decided long ago it would not start building on the land donated by Bethany Bible

College, where he serves as president, until all money was pledged, he said the volunteers will look at getting started on architectural designs for the

facility next week.

"Today we have gathered to celebrate an historic milestone in this long march of progress for creating a facility that will offer to everyone in the Kings County area an incredible opportunity to improve their health and vitality," Medders said.

"Many community leaders have carried the torch of this campaign and now we come to this golden moment, to set in place the capstone of our capital campaign by the official act of naming this facility."

He said community fundraisers are being held to secure the final funds, and large gifts are still being considered and others are rolling in, but

PotashCorp's contribution could mean people in the Sussex region will be swimming in the civic centre's pool sooner than planned. The site off Main Street has been prepared for the facility.

Medders said with a year needed to design and construct the civic centre, there is potential now that if designs get started in the coming weeks, then construction could begin shortly after that remaining $500,000 is committed.

"We're poised to get ready to build," he said.

"We always said we would be swimming in 2010," he added, but now there is a possibility of swimming early next year as opposed to the fall or winter of

2010.

This is PotashCorp's second community-changing announcement in the Sussex region in 18 months. In the summer of 2007, the company announced

construction of a $1.7-million mine in Picadilly, which, when it is fully operational in 2014, will see a jump in staff from 340 to 490.

In the meantime, hundreds of construction workers are on-site and boosting the economy in Sussex to new levels despite the gloomy economic scenario

elsewhere.

"Last March, when Premier (Shawn) Graham and I turned the sod back on the expansion of the Picadilly mine project, we took a step toward growing thismcommunity," Moore said. "As we expand PotashCorp to meet the expected growth in potash demand from around the world, our Sussex facility remains key to our operations.

"With the expansion of our facility here, new jobs and business opportunities have certainly developed, but we are also pleased to play a part in enhancing this community where we live, work and raise our

families," he added. "Today we're building on that support with a tangible legacy for our community."

He said he believes the hard-working people of this region need a safe, new recreational facility to swim, exercise and socialize as a community.

"This $1-million contribution is our way of giving back to our community, and enhancing the quality of life for the families of our employees, our

business partners, our friends and our neighbours."

Moore said PotashCorp has been involved in the community since 1993, when it purchased the existing mine and its assets, and plans to be here for another 50 to 100 years.

The new facility will feature a 25-metre swimming pool, a walking/jogging track and fitness room.

Last year the federal and provincial governments each pledged $1.33 millionmin support of the project through the Canada-New Brunswick Municipal Rural

Infrastructure Fund, and a provincial grant contributed another $300,000 for a total of about $3 million. In September the capital campaign was launched to raise the remaining $3 million needed.

Sussex Mayor Ralph Carr, whose council pledged $500,000 to the project, says PotashCorp's commitment will go a long way to enticing other community givers to support the cause.

He calls his community diverse, and believes the potash company's place in nearby Penobsquis, and soon Picadilly, is leading in the evolution of his

small, prospering town.

"We'll always be known as a dairy town, but our community is so much more diverse than that," Carr said.

"This gift has taken the civic centre from being a dream to a reality. The numbers were so high people never thought we would ever make it. We thank

PotashCorp so much."

Mawhinney backs civic center

http://telegraphjournal.canadaeast.com/city/article/650627

Civic centre should provide nice 2009 Christmas gift; Infrastructure Fundraising campaign kicks off for $6-million project

New Brunswick Telegraph-Journal

Thursday, October 2, 2008

Byline: Tammy Scott-Wallace Telegraph-Journal

Never has the Sussex region been so anxious to dig deep in its pockets.

And as the official launch of the $3-million fundraising campaign for the new Fundy Civic Centre was held on Tuesday night, the man who spearheaded

the project more than a decade ago said he is confident that as gifts pour in, people can get out their bathing suits for their long-awaited dip in the indoor pool by Christmas 2009.

"We'll raise it before spring," said an enthusiastic Harley Geldart, who is also serving as honourary chairman of the FCC board of directors. "We'll be

calling tenders in the spring."

Already just over $1.15 million has been raised quietly behind the scenes, mostly from corporate donors, and talks are ongoing with other big business.

Meanwhile, citizens are being asked for their donations, even if it's pocket change.

"We want everyone to feel involved, even if that's a child with a quarter in his pocket who wants to be a part of building this new facility," campaign

chairman and businessman John Robinson said.

The Rotary Club in Sussex will be distributing collection jars throughout the community to gather those donations, or gifts can be dropped off at the

campaign office on 140 Main St.

Last summer provincial and federal funds were announced under the Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund, with each level of government contributing $1.3 million to the largest recreational project the area has ever seen. The province also chipped in an additional $300,000 through its Regional

Development Corporation at the time and the town of Sussex promised $500,000.

For years the town has been behind the project Deputy Mayor Marc Thorne calls a "magnet for growth.

"It has been proven time and again that people and enterprise are attracted to communities that provide a high standard of living and we have that," he

told the crowd gathered at Sussex Elementary School for the launch. "Our civic centre will add to the list of things that make our community the great place that it is.

"The Fundy Civic Centre will be a symbol of our faith, and of the hopes and dreams of all our citizens, young and old, and of every walk of life," he added.

What began as a dream locally to replace the ailing outdoor Kiwanis pool, which has long outlived its lifespan, has spread throughout the region, says

Robinson.

"Community pride is a powerful force. When we open the doors to our new Fundy Civic Centre for the first time, it will be a facility that everybody

in the region can be proud of," he said.

For a year community leaders have been beating on corporate doors to raise funds and most have made significant donations themselves. Now they are

asking citizens at the grassroots to do their part, Robinson said.

"My challenge to each of us today is to reach out to our friends, our family and those with whom we do business," he said. "We need to share our dream,

our commitment and enthusiasm with them and encourage them to become involved, to join our team and to help us make a difference - to help our

community, our future."

FCC board chairman Dr. David Medders said the long-awaited dream of having a pool to improve the health and quality of life of people living in Sussex

and its surrounding villages and local service districts is near.

"People have put their shoulder to the wheel and pushed this project forward, " he said. "I always knew if we said please long enough somebody

would say yes."

Medders, who came on board with the project when Geldart solicited his help to make it happen in the 1990s, said he couldn't think of a single facility

in the region with as much impact as the civic centre will have.

"This is a great dream, and yes, it costs a lot of money," he said. "The day (of this facility's opening) is coming and I hope you can taste it before you leave here tonight."

Bethany Bible College donated the land for the civic centre near its campus off Main Street in Sussex's west end.

Fundy Royal Conservative candidate Rob Moore, Kings East MLA Bruce Northrup and Petitcodiac MLA Wally Stiles, who represented the provincial government,

all spoke at the launch, highlighting the impact the facility will have on the health of citizens and attracting new success stories for the prospering

region.

Norton Mayor Wendy Alcorn and her council recently approved a $10,000 donation to the project. While her community is small like its budget, she believes the benefit of having an indoor pool facility and walking track nearby cannot be overstated for citizens living all around Sussex's

parameters.

C 2008 Telegraph-Journal (New Brunswick)  

Public phase of campaign set to launch Tuesday

New Brunswick Telegraph-Journal

Saturday, September 27, 2008

Byline: Tammy Scott-Wallace Telegraph-Journal

Potential donors at the grassroots level will get a clearer idea of how they can help make the Fundy Civic Centre happen when the public phase of a

fundraising campaign kicks off Tuesday night.

For months, business leaders in the Sussex area have been making their pitch and collecting large corporate gifts for the biggest project the town has

ever seen.

With contributions already announced by the federal and provincial governments, the community hopes to raise $3 million for the facility that will include a competition-size pool, a swirl pool for children and seniors, a fitness area and indoor walking track.

The total amount raised today will be revealed during the launch, to which hundreds of citizens, service club members and businesspeople have been

invited. The group leading the fundraising campaign will also be presented.

Lloyd Secord, chairman of the building committee, said the pool facility, expected to be built and open next year, will be everything the community

has wanted for 25 years.

"We have worked long and hard to make a pool in the Sussex area a reality and I am happy to say that with the community behind us, the pool will be a

reality," he said.

Campaign chairman John Robinson applauds the campaign team that has been working tirelessly and that still faces much more work drumming up support.

"We have assembled a group of men and women who are passionate about our community, about providing our children, youth, families and seniors with a

facility to bring them together (with a) focus on healthy activities," the retired dairy farmer said of the campaign cabinet.

In January, the Fundy Civic Centre's building committee engaged Soucy/Ellis Architects Ltd. of Edmundston to design the facility. The floor design for the two-level structure can be seen on the centre's website at www.fundyciviccentre.com

The Fundy Civic Centre has received commitments of $1.3 million each from the federal and provincial governments through the Canada-New Brunswick

Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund. The province's Regional Development Corporation committed an additional $300,000. The town of Sussex has also

pledged $500,000 to the capital costs.

The fundraising launch will take place at Sussex Elementary School at 7 p.m.on Tuesday.

Pool project closer to reality; Recreation $4.3-million facility clears 'significant hurdle' as federal panel backs plan

New Brunswick Telegraph-Journal

Friday, May 25, 2007

Byline: Tammy Scott-Wallace Telegraph-Journal

An announcement for the Sussex pool project is a big step closer.

This week in Ottawa the management committee that helps pick and choose projects under the Canada-New Brunswick Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund

threw its support behind the $4.3-million project for Sussex.

"This is a significant hurdle," Fundy Royal MP Rob Moore said. "It's significant and certainly takes the project one step closer to an announcement."

Moore said this management committee made up of federal and provincial representatives is the last barrier before ACOA Minister Peter MacKay's

stamp of approval.

Under the agreement, the $4.3-million project would be split three ways between the federal and provincial governments and the community.

Earlier in the spring Premier Shawn Graham expressed his commitment for the province's $1.3-million share plus a $300,000 shortfall for a civic centre for Sussex.

The remaining third of the $4.3-million price tag will be raised in the community - with $500,000 of it already contributed by the Town of Sussex.

After MacKay signs the appropriate documents, the agreement will make its way back to the province for an announcement.

Roly MacIntyre, minister responsible for the province's Regional Development Corporation, expects it could come soon.

"All we're waiting for is approval at the (ACOA) minister's office," MacIntyre said. "If they sign off on it, we'll announce it.

"It's very, very close."

He believes the project will be the biggest ever to be announced under this three-way-split funding agreement.

"If they (federal officials) call me tomorrow and want to announce it, I'm there in Sussex," he added. "I'm looking forward to this announcement."

Moore is too, although he doesn't have a date scheduled in his day planner yet. He said he didn't want to pre-announce an announcement.

"People in the Sussex area have been waiting a long time to have a pool. When the announcement comes it will be a good day for Sussex," the MP said.

"I think the important thing now is for everyone to look forward to this pool and get behind what has to be done at the local level to make it happen."

Sussex Corner Mayor Garth Long said the pool "has always been a dream but but now it's getting closer to a reality. This is very exciting."

Still, he said "we've always said we will wait until we see an agreement with our own eyes."

He said once the letter of an offer comes from ACOA, which manages the infrastructure fund in Atlantic Canada, the board of directors for the Fundy

Civic Centre will be off and running and planning money-raising projects with professional fundraisers.

Years ago the plan was for a $7.8-million project including a gym, pool, walking track and convention centre.

The current board scaled back those grandiose plans to something more realistic, Long said, and while the exact plans for the structure won't be known until funding is announced and fundraising goals set, the downsized plans still include an indoor pool, fitness area, walking track and community room.

"We will build what we can afford. The object of the game has always been to build it without a mortgage," Long said, adding the intent is to raise as much as possible beyond the required local contribution to develop the best possible facility.

Kings East MLA Bruce Northrup was contacted by Ottawa this week with news of the management committee's decision.

"It's been a long time coming," he said. "If I was a betting man I would say it will be signed within a couple weeks.

"Then the community can get at the fundraising needed to get this pool built. "

The facility will be built on Main Street in the west end of town on a

parcel of property donated by Bethany Bible College.

C 2007 Telegraph-Journal (New Brunswick)

Sussex area still awaiting word from Ottawa on civic centre funding;

Development The ball is now in Ottawa's court

New Brunswick Telegraph-Journal

Friday, April 20, 2007

Byline: Tammy Scott-Wallace Telegraph-Journal

A pool announcement for Sussex is still in the federal government's court.

Despite Premier Shawn Graham's prediction that news of a civic centre for the region could come as soon as this week, there still hasn't been any word

received on its status in Fredericton.

In Atlantic Canada, ACOA manages the federal program.

According to agency spokeswoman Patricia Field, information on specific applications cannot be released until an announcement is made. Generally

speaking, she said there are no timelines to the process even though "we make every effort to move things along."

Graham had said typically the province gets word on its project applications under the Canada- New Brunswick Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund about

eight weeks after they reach the federal government's hands.

It's been just over that, if the premier's calculations are correct.

The application being considered is for a $4.3-million Fundy Civic Centre, with $4 million to be split between the province, feds and community. Graham said the province has agreed to kick in an additional $300,000 shortfall to make the long-awaited project a reality.

Once a funding announcement is made, the civic centre board of directors can adjust plans for the indoor pool, walking track, fitness area and community room to accommodate the money they are given. Fundraising will also have to kick into gear for the community's portion of the cost and Bethany Bible College will hand over land in the west end to house the new centre.