Bayplex battles
Province says it’s committed but PC candidate says it’s been ignored
John White, the Progressive Conservative candidate for Glace Bay in the upcoming provincial election, says the Liberal government is ignoring the crumbling Bayplex. “The Bayplex is an important piece of infrastructure and it deserves a champion,” he said.
White said the Bayplex is important to the community, yet no one is doing anything about the need for serious upgrades.
“It’s an important facility here in Glace Bay and for me it’s a priority.”
But Glace Bay MLA Geoff MacLellan said he has been dealing with the Bayplex for years and brought premier Stephen McNeil, to the facility Wednesday, who committed the province will be there with its share when the CBRM identifies costs.
“I’ve had a consistent line of communication and significant conversations with the mayor and councillors regarding the future of the Bayplex,” he said.
“We as the provincial government have made a commitment to the Bayplex when the engineering report has been finalized and costs identified.”
However White said basically he feels MacLellan has not only ignored the community infrastructure, but also neglected his hometown
“I am committed to fight for better roads, the BayPlex and other community infrastructure,” he said.
He said MacLellan is so busy with his portfolio as minister of transportation and infrastructure renewal, he doesn’t have time for Glace Bay.
“Our MLA has been distracted by McNeil’s messes,” he said.
He said MacLellan has been concentrating on the costly Bluenose project and Yarmouth Ferry deal while Glace Bay infrastructure crumbles.
He said the PCs have a plan for local infrastructure through the Rebuild Nova Scotia Fund.
MacLellan said he is disappointed in the approach of the local PC candidate with his attack on him that has no substance.
He said as a cabinet minister he is busy but his priority has always been Glace Bay and always will be.
“We had a number of significant investments in Glace Bay in my last three years in government but more importantly I’ve had the ability to help thousands of individuals through my constituency office and that’s what really matters the most.”
MacLellan said the province has been there for many projects from the Savoy to the Miners Museum, South Street Ball Park, dialysis unit and more.
When asked if the provincial government has ignored the Bayplex, manager Clarence Routledge said MacLellan has not only been supportive of the Bayplex since he became MLA six years ago but long before.
“Geoff was actually supportive of the Bayplex before he became an MLA. He uses the facility, he brings his kids here. Over the years he has supported us in different ways.”
Routledge said along with CBRM mayor Cecil Clarke, MacLellan brought the premier to the facility Wednesday.
“The premier was here for over and hour, took a tour and certainly liked the facility,”
He said the premier knew about the problems at the Bayplex because it had been brought to his attention by MacLellan.
“I’m pleased the mayor is supporting the project and the premier said he’ll support it too and I believe him.
“Hopefully the three levels of government municipality will get together and support the upgrade of the facility.”