Latest news with #MahoneBay
CTV News
3 days ago
- Business
- CTV News
Mahone Bay, N.S., shops struggle amid year-long construction project
Edgewater Street in Mahone Bay, N.S., is under construction as upgrades to its sewer and stormwater systems are underway. It's a project Mayor Suzanne Lohnes-Croft says has been in the works for years and it's the biggest one they have ever done in this area. 'We have funding for $10 million externally for this project that came in this year. Everything aligned, it's been a long time coming. It's necessary from an asset management point of view. We have very old infrastructure, we have to keep up with what the climate change needs are for our town,' says Lohnes-Croft. The project itself will take about a year to complete and is expected to cost between $13 and $14 million. It includes upgrades to the town's existing services and extends them to Kedy's Landing, near Exit 10. It will eliminate the existing straight pipes to protect the harbour. The plan will also revitalize public space and improve active transportation, accessibility and safety. The street has been torn up for several months and many businesses on the street say they are feeling the impact. 'I think it's safe to say that business is down 30 to 40 per cent because there just isn't the foot traffic that you would typically have. It's tourist town, tourist time, and there just aren't that many tourists,' says Jennifer Buchanan, director of sales and marketing for Buchanans House of Music. 'We happen to be in the chunk of the rerouted section, so we don't get the tour buses, the RVS.' The business is also concerned about the dust. They've been forced to bring in clothing that would normally be outside on display and they are constantly cleaning the musical instruments. 'It's dusty, there's like one word to describe it as you can feel it, it's in the air. It's frustrating, it's certainly not nearly as busy as it has been,' says Buchanan. Jo-Ann's Market normally has fresh fruit and vegetables outside on display for customers, but this year they have had to bring them inside. 'The dust has prevented us from utilizing the fresh fruit and vegetables because we can't put them out,' says Scott Myers, owner of Jo-Ann's Market. Jo-Ann's Market Jo-Ann's Market in Mahone Bay, N.S., is pictured. (Source: Emma Convey/CTV News Atlantic) During a normal tourist season, Myers said they make hundreds of thousands of dollars, but so far this season, it's down about 50 per cent. 'Loss of profit, loss of jobs. We have at least 30 per cent less staff than we normally would have. So that's local people working and staying in the town,' says Myers. 'The areas that they currently have closed off is where the bus tours would typically stop but the tours from what I understand have cancelled their stops there until the construction is over.' Lohnes-Croft says she has seen buses coming into town and it seems busy to her, whether it's local or tourist traffic. She emphasizes there are spaces for tour buses to drop off visitors and her team has reached out to the companies to suggest options. 'We would normally get tour buses constantly, they would park up by the three churches or by Rebecca's restaurant and they are the lifeblood of the tourists that come here. We have been told that they have all been for obvious reasons rerouted around so they will go straight to Lunenburg,' says Buchanan. Businesses like Buchanans House of Music feel compensation of some kind is necessary. Lohnes-Croft explains this is out of the municipality's control as it comes down to the province. 'That can only be done through our provincial government through compensation. Currently there is no compensation that the municipalities can do, that's why we are trying to help with signage and parking and trying to do little things to make things a little easier,' says Lohnes-Croft. The construction is expected to be completed by December. Mahone Bay construction Major construction is underway in Mahone Bay, N.S. (Source: Emma Convey/CTV News Atlantic) For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page
CBC
09-07-2025
- General
- CBC
Mahone Bay examines sidewalk patio bylaw after 100-year-old woman falls and later dies
The town council of Mahone Bay, N.S., is reviewing its sidewalk patio bylaw after a well-known 100-year-old woman fell outside a restaurant that had recently installed a structure and later died. Popular local minister Rev. Barbara Minard was out for her daily walk on the afternoon of June 27 when she attempted to navigate the wooden walkway for the first time. Using her walker, she found it difficult to manoeuvre, lost her balance and fell, said family members. After sustaining a fractured finger and hand, Minard died on July 2. While no autopsy was performed to confirm the fall caused her death, family members report Minard was otherwise healthy and say she would have not had any problems had the patio structure not taken over the sidewalk. "She was very, very concerned about having letters written to the city, having some kind of action that would have this structure changed or removed from the city before something happens to someone else," her son, Robin Minard, told CBC News. "She was coming off of the walkway where you have to make a couple of sharp turns, which is not always easy if you are unsteady on your feet," explained Nancy Minard, Barbara's daughter. Also problematic, she said, is the connection between the walkway and the sidewalk where her mother reported a tricky transition. Another of her children, Catherine Minard, said it was heartbreaking to see her mom in pain with a bruised hand. In gathering names for a petition calling for the patio's removal, she has since heard concerns from a number of others about the structure. "There was one man we spoke with who has a very wide mobility scooter and he said it's very hard for him to navigate," she said. "So he literally has to go outside of this structure onto the street to make his way to the other end." The town's CAO confirmed a permit was approved for the patio in May and it was inspected during construction. The matter was on the agenda at a council meeting on Tuesday where a number of residents also spoke up, as well as the family. Business asks for evidence the fall caused death A couple of people in support of the restaurant, Eli + Trix, also attended to defend the business and its patio. "It was certified by the province. It was certified by the town. It was certified by fire," said Roger Mader, the partner of the business owner, Danielle King. "I would like to understand that if there is some evidence that the fall was the cause for her death, it seems both unlikely and it should be produced as evidence," Mader said at the meeting. The mayor asked people to stop talking during Mader's presentation or they would be asked to leave. Suzanne Lohnes-Croft said the issue has become a divisive one in the community. "Everyone knew Barb in Mahone Bay," she said. "I think when there's grief, everything is amplified." Council is doing its due diligence, she said, by conducting a review directing staff to look at best sidewalk patio practices from other municipalities, while also examining pedestrian safety and potential design recommendations. "Can it be improved? It possibly could. Could there be other designs that would be better suited to our small town? That's all the stuff we want to know when we review the bylaws," Lohnes-Croft said. Council has asked for another report to be prepared to show what the business was required to do during the permitting process so that is also made clear. King told CBC News she has received threats since the incident. Minard family calls for calm RCMP confirmed they are investigating a report of online threats against a Mahone Bay business. King said Barbara Minard was a regular at the restaurant where she was well liked by staff, who told her the fall happened on the slope of the sidewalk — not the patio walkway. However, the town CAO said modifications have been requested to the structure such as the installation of metal plates to cover the parts where the walkway meets the sidewalk, along with reflective markings outside the deck. The changes are not enough for the family who are continuing with their petition while also urging people to be calm and respectful, something they said their mother would have wanted. "We would like to see action happen as quickly as possible to restore the safety to the community, to restore harmony to the community," said Nancy Minard. "She lived just to see harmony among people."
CTV News
04-07-2025
- General
- CTV News
Project to protect Mahone Bay, N.S., coastline receives $1.9M
A sunrise is shown in Mahone Bay, N.S. (Betty Meredith / Edgewater Street via Town of Mahone Bay) A project aimed at protecting the Mahone Bay, N.S., coastline from the impacts of climate change has received $1.9 million. The federal government is spending $928,000 on the project, while Coastal Action is spending $922,100, and the Town of Mahone Bay is contributing $16,950. 'Mahone Bay is vulnerable to flooding, coastal erosion, and contaminated stormwater runoff entering the harbour due to sea level rise, storm surge, and increased precipitation' a news release says. Coastal Action, a non-profit environmental organization based in Mahone Bay, is leading the project, which will reduce flooding and mitigate coastal erosion. The project will include the following: a living shoreline – a stabilized vegetated bank that uses native plants and natural materials to prevent erosion while supporting habitat a nearshore breakwater – a separate, detached structure that reduces wave energy before it reaches the shoreline a tidal wetland a raised dyke along 100 metres of Edgewater Street 'With extreme weather events getting worse and more frequent, we must work quickly to protect our communities from the effects of climate change as we build a stronger Canada. This project will ensure that the beautiful harbour town of Mahone Bay remains a safe and thriving community for generations to come,' says South Shore–St. Margarets MP Jessica Fancy-Landry. The federal money is coming from the Natural Infrastructure Fund, which supports projects that use natural or hybrid approaches to increase resilience to climate change, mitigate carbon emissions, protect and preserve biodiversity and wildlife habitats, and promote Canadians' access to nature. At least 10 per cent of the overall program envelope will be allocated to Indigenous-led projects. The federal funding is conditional on fulfilling all requirements related to consultation with Indigenous groups and environmental assessment obligations. For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page
CBC
04-07-2025
- Entertainment
- CBC
#TheMoment a N.S. woodworker made a custom guitar for Nickelback
Arnold London, a woodworker from Mahone Bay, N.S., recalls the moment he made a custom guitar for Nickelback's lead guitarist, Ryan Peake — and heard him play it live in front of 20,000 fans.
