Residents of Lunenburg County Gain New Provincial Building

Lunenburg County residents will now have improved access to wildlife resources, permits, fishing licenses, food protection information, physical activity, sport and recreation programs, and many other government services with the opening of a new provincial building in the Town of Lunenburg.

Finance Minister Michael Baker, on behalf of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal Minister Murray Scott, and Lunenburg Mayor Laurence Mawhinney cut the ribbon to officially open the new offices today, July 25.

"We are pleased to have this modern new facility to serve the people of Lunenburg County, a building which as been designed to blend in with the architecture of the Town of Lunenburg," said Mr. Baker. "It's a welcome improvement to the services and infrastructure in the community."

The building will house local offices for the departments of Natural Resources, Agriculture, Health Promotion and Protection, Fisheries and Aquaculture, Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal, and Emergency Management Office.

"This facility is a wonderful addition to the Town and I welcome provincial government employees to Lunenburg," said Mayor Mawhinney.

The $6.6-million, 16,000 square-foot facility is located at 312 Green St. and was designed by Harvey & MacKenzie Architects. Land for the building was provided by the Town of Lunenburg. The building includes a public reception area, office space for the various departments, and meeting rooms for staff and clients. A new depot for Department of Natural Resources vehicles has also been constructed next to the facility.

The provincial building was designed to meet the standards of the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Green Building Rating System. The system is the nationally accepted benchmark for design, construction and operation of high-performance green buildings and the provincial building will be submitted for formal certification.

"With this opening, Nova Scotians will be able to access many important programs and services in a well-designed, high quality and environmentally friendly facility," said Mr. Baker.

The Bridgewater offices will close at 4:30 p.m. on Friday, July 25, and will re-open on Monday, July 28, at 8:30 a.m. An open house for the public will be held in September.