Opinions needed
Public urged to complete survey on revitalization project
Officials working on a revitalization plan for Glace Bay and area are encouraging the public to get involved.
Eileen Lannon-Oldford, CEO of Business Cape Breton, said they are asking the public to go online and fill out a survey to share their experience and opinions which will be used to develop plans for the revitalization of Glace Bay, Reserve Mines, and Dominion.
Lannnon-Oldford said the project is important to the future leadership in the community, to the people who live in the communities and want to work and create jobs here.
“We made the survey as friendly as we could and specific to their area, whether (it’s) Reserve Mines, Glace Bay or Dominion,” she said. “It only takes about a minute and a half to fill out.”
Business Cape Breton with Ekistics Planning and Design, the Cape Breton Regional Municipality, and the Province of Nova Scotia, have embarked on a revitalization planning process for Glace Bay, Reserve Mines, and Dominion. Ekistics is working with the local community to identify projects and initiatives that will have a transformative effect on the region with final recommendations planned for release in June 2017.
Lannon-Oldford said they hosted their first public meeting April 5 and a second one Wednesday at the Glace Bay Fire Hall, hearing ideas from individuals, organizations, and businesses about infrastructure and projects they’d like to see.
She said however they want everyone involved and want people to fill out the survey which will remain online until April 26.
Lannon-Oldford said it’s hoped more youth will get involved. She says contact has been made with the schools and youth organizations.
“We want to encourage young people who want to make a life here in Cape Breton and in the CBRM to definitely fill in the survey.”
Lannon-Oldford said 65 surveys have already come back.
She said the projects and infrastructure will be evaluated for feasibility such as the economic impact to the region and where the funding resources would come from.
“Funding will hopefully come from the private sector, developers, government programs, communities raising funds, et cetera,” she said.
“All of that has to be sorted out.”
Lannon-Oldford said many ideas have been brought up, from a motel to discussions on the waterfront. She said the group Bayitforward has some suggestions as well as the Undercurrent Youth Centre and the Glace Bay Heritage Museum Old Town Hall.
“There are many community organizations looking at infrastructure projects they think would be good for the region.”
She said interviews are also taking place with specific individuals in the region such as political representation, councillors, and business people from the three communities being assessed.
“I haven’t seen all the suggestions that have come in so far but naturally Dominion Beach is a real priority to the Dominion area and there’s initiatives and suggestions coming forward from Reserve Mines.”
The survey can be located at: https://www.surveymonkey. com/r/glacebayregion
“We want to encourage young people who want to make a life here in Cape Breton and in the CBRM to definitely fill in the survey.”
Eileen Lannon-Oldford,
CEO, Business Cape Breton