College campus construction breathes life into downtown Sydney, N.S.
The sound of construction work in downtown Sydney, N.S., is hard to tune out, but it's music and money to the ears for businesses in the area.
“We have been seeing the benefits from the first announcement when they said they were looking to move to downtown Sydney,” said Michelle Wilson, executive director at the Sydney Downtown Development Association.
The new Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC) Marconi Campus is now being built on the waterfront.
Wilson says it's created an economic buzz.
“Over the last couple of years, since construction has started, we've seen even more businesses open despite construction and COVID and all of the other barriers that you think would deter someone from opening a business,” said Wilson.
The new facility is slated to open in the fall of 2024 and will accommodate 1,400 students and nearly 200 staff.
It's 60,000 square feet bigger than the current building, and NSCC principal Carla Arsenault says it will offer tremendous opportunities for the community and students who will go there.
“We will have modern classrooms and a state-of-the-art facility. It really will give opportunities for increased programs and overall having a beautiful space in the heart of downtown,” said Arsenault.
According to the latest census data from Statistics Canada, Sydney, N.S., has seen a 2.6 per cent population increase over the past five years.
Arsenault expects that trend to continue because of projects such as this one.
“You are starting to see a lot of growth in this community. Properties are starting to turn over a lot quicker,” said Arsenault.
Wilson credits the revitalization of Charlotte Street, Sydney's main core, as a result of the NSCC move.
“All of these things are really making for an exciting future for us,” said Wilson.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Breast cancer screening should start at age 40, Canadian Cancer Society says
The Canadian Cancer Society says all provinces and territories should lower the starting age for breast cancer screening to 40.
DEVELOPING Live updates as Stormy Daniels testifies at Trump hush money trial
Adult film star Stormy Daniels is on the stand a second time Thursday as former U.S. president Donald Trump’s hush money case continues in Manhattan. Follow live updates here.
Ontario family receives massive hospital bill as part of LTC law, refuses to pay
A southwestern Ontario woman has received an $8,400 bill from a hospital in Windsor, Ont., after she refused to put her mother in a nursing home she hated -- and she says she has no intention of paying it.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
Ontario man frustrated after $3,500 paving job leaves driveway in shambles
An Ontario man considering having his driveway paved received a quote from a company for $7,000, but then, another paver in the neighbourhood knocked on his door and offered half that rate.
Why these immigrants to Canada say they're thinking about leaving, or have already moved on
For some immigrants, their dreams of permanently settling in Canada have taken an unexpected twist.
Bank of Canada says financial system is stable, but risks remain
The Bank of Canada says the Canadian financial system is stable, but risks remain due to debt servicing costs among households and businesses and stretched valuations of financial assets.
BREAKING Sheldon Keefe out as head coach of Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs have fired head coach Sheldon Keefe. The team made the announcement Thursday after the Original Six franchise lost to the Boston Bruins in seven games in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.
RateMDs violates privacy of health professionals, class-action lawsuit claims
A lawsuit against RateMDs has been given the go-ahead by a B.C. Supreme Court judge who found the claim that the website violates the privacy rights of medical professionals is not 'bound to fail.'