Developer begins assessments at Sydney waterfront site

Harbour Royal Development Ltd. announced that Stantec Engineering Ltd. has been contracted to conduct a geotechnical and environmental assessment of the proposed site for the new Cape Breton Regional Library.

A combination of boreholes, test pits and monitoring wells will be created to determine soil characteristics. The work will begin on Oct. 1.

The Cape Breton Regional Municipality chose a proposal by Harbour Royal after the municipality issued a request for expressions of interest in 2017 for development of its waterfront properties. It includes an integrated, multi-use development that features a public library, apartment tower, commercial tower, marine activity centre, relocation of the Sydney casino and expansion of the Holiday Inn.

In a new release issued Wednesday, Harbour Royal project manager Jim Wooder said the work program will help create technical date needed to firm up cost estimates and enable the advancement of the library and apartment components to the funding stage.

Applications for public financing for the proposed library are expected to be advanced to the three levels of government by the end of 2018. A community capital campaign is also expected to begin in early 2019.

The project contractors, joining Stantec, include Trifos Design Consultants, CBCL Engineering and Halifax-based Fairwyn Developments Ltd. Investors include Membertou First Nation, the Westmont Hospitality Group and Canderel. Harbour Royal also has the support of Halifax-based marine tour company Ambassatours, which operates the Harbour Hopper in Sydney and is a potential anchor tenant at the planned marine activity complex.