Downtown centre takes shape as steel structure is erected
Suzanne Lapointe | CBC News | Posted: July 7, 2016 11:30 AM | Last Updated: July 7, 2016
Work was able to begin early on the downtown centre in Moncton
Moncton's new $104-million downtown sports and entertainment centre is starting to take shape as workers push to meet a series of construction deadlines.
Isabelle LeBlanc, the director of communications for the City of Moncton, said the early spring allowed construction to start early on the $104 million project.
"We are now starting to see the steel structure come up and that's very interesting because finally we see some real movement," she said.
"We're starting to see people become excited with this because they can actually see things."
Construction details
LeBlanc explained that on an average day, there are about 40 construction workers on the site. At peak times, there will be 150 workers.
She said the exterior and interior foundations were completed on June 17.
"Towards the latter part of August, we'll start seeing some concrete bleachers come in as well. Following that will be the trusses. So we hope that that will be completed by November or December of this year," she said.
Once the trusses are installed, the bricks will be put down and the windows will be installed.
Work will begin on the interior in 2017.
LeBlanc said the project is on budget and on schedule.
Traffic concerns linger
The project has been surrounded by controversy since plans were announced in 2015.
Funding for the new sports and entertainment complex and parking downtown were among the major concerns for residents.
Robert Benoît said he is concerned about accessibility to the downtown core once the centre is opened.
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"I'm concerned for the traffic that it's going to create downtown. How easy it's going to be to get in or get out" he said.
"I find that's very important after an event. Sometimes you can't wait to get away, but it could be complicated."
Other city residents are hopeful the new facility will be able to lure new attractions to the city.
Emily McDonald said she hopes comic and gaming conventions will come to the city once the centre is complete.
"I'm kind of into the whole convention scene and I think it would really add to Moncton to give us more events and stuff instead of crowding the coliseum all the time so we have more places to do things," she said.