Advisory Group Formed to Assist Government

A community advisory group has been formed to assist the provincial government in updating residents who live near the site of the new co-located correctional and forensic facilities in the Bedford area.

The advisory group will help the project committee keep residents informed throughout the development and construction of the new facilities, to be located about 1.6 kilometres west of the Department of National Defence's rifle range in Bedford. Approximately 40 hectares (100 acres) will be needed for the facilities (19 hectares or 47 acres are allocated for buildings). Another 350 hectares (860 acres) will remain available for public use.

Twelve members sit on the advisory group --nine from the community plus one representative from the project committee, the Nova Scotia Hospital and the Halifax Correctional Centre.

The meetings will focus on communications with the community. The advisory group will also bring the concerns of local residents to the government's attention and identify ways to consult with the community regarding the future use of the remaining 350 hectares.

"We'll be working to represent the interests of Bedford and area residents, said Grant Walker, chair of the advisory group. "We will work with the government to keep local residents up to date and to represent their concerns as the project unfolds.

"We are particularly interested in the remaining land and the potential long-term benefits it can provide for the community."

Advertisements seeking group volunteers were put in local newspapers last December. An information meeting was held before the appointments were made final. The community members include the following: Philip Burns, Bedford; Kim Dompierre, Bedford; Dr. Fred French, Bedford; Chris Goguen, Lower Sackville; Brenda Johnson-Giles, Bedford-Hammonds Plains; Joseph McEvoy, Bedford; Walter M. Regan, Sackville; Marlene Quinn, Halifax; and Mr. Grant Walker, Bedford. The builder will also have a representative on the advisory group when a development agreement has been signed.

An information letter will be sent to local residents to report on the progress of the project and introduce the group. The departments of Health and Justice confirmed today that negotiations are underway with Read Management Ltd., for a development agreement for the design and construction of the facilities.

"We are working to provide state-of-the-art facilities that will improve security and provide better programs and services," said Justice Minister Robbie Harrison.

A request for proposals was issued in August to four proponents who passed an expression of interest process. One proponent withdrew, leaving three proposals submitted on Nov. 26, 1998. The proposals were assessed in three specific areas: a technical evaluation focused on architecture and engineering; a program evaluation focused on correctional operations and forensic programs; and a financial evaluation.

"Read Management is composed of several different companies based right here in Nova Scotia," said Health Minister Jim Smith. "That means the project could be managed by staff from Halifax firms."

Read Management Ltd. consists of Cardinal Management; Halifax architectural firms John K. Dobbs & Associates and William Nycum & Associates Ltd.; CBCL Ltd., Morris & Richard Consulting Engineers Ltd. and Tidewater/Diamond Construction Ltd.

The cost estimates are guaranteed until March 27, 1999. A development agreement is expected to be signed before then and the project is expected to be completed in September 2000.

In anticipation of early road closures to heavy vehicles, a contractor has stored some equipment on the site. This is to allow the contractor to begin work once an agreement has been negotiated. Construction will not begin until the development agreement is signed.

NOTE: The following is intended for broadcast media.

A community advisory group will help the province

keep residents up to date about construction of new

correctional and forensic facilities near Bedford.

They will be located nearly two kilometres west of

the military's rifle range.

About 100 acres will be needed for the facilities

and another 860 acres will be open to the public.

Twelve members sit on the advisory group, which will

also bring local concerns to government and discuss the

future of the remaining 860 acres.

The project is expected to be completed in September 2000.

Editor's Note: For copies of the community advisory group terms of reference, contact Kim Blanchette or Morris Green.