State of the art library, too

August 29, 2009 – By Karla Kelly

FOR THE DIGBY COURIER

NovaNewsNow.com



There was some new old news among the announcement Thursday of $1.4 million in funding for Weymouth. West Nova MP Greg Kerr said the funding was on top of $417,900 already committed for a new village library.


“Peter MacKay (Atlantic Gateway Minister) made the public announcement for this important commitment earlier in the year but many may not pick up on it due to the communication blackout from the election,” Kerr said.

Western Counties Regional Library director Trudy Amirault said funding announcement for the construction of a much-needed library in Weymouth was wonderful news.

“This is wonderful for us,” said Amirault. “We are thrilled to have a state of the art facility that will reflect what the community needs and wants.”

Birdsall added that the new library will benefit from the province’s commitment to ensure all of Nova Scotia has high speed internet by the end of 2009.

Major funding support for Weymouth

August 29, 2009 – By Karla Kelly

FOR THE DIGBY COURIER

NovaNewsNow.com



The federal and provincial governments will pump $1.4 million into development of Weymouth. On Thursday, West Nova MP Greg Kerr announced a $700,000 federal contribution for development of a light manufacturing facility in the village, and Lunenburg MLA Pam Birdsall added that the same amount would come from the province.


The light manufacturing facility will provide 4,000 square feet of industrial space to be leased at commercial rates to new and or expanding businesses.

Weymouth Waterfront Development Committee chair Rod Lefort said the village’s development project also includes beautification, increased retail activity, renewed usage of the Sissiboo River and a general working atmosphere on the waterfront to create new jobs and secure the viability of Weymouth’s downtown core.

In an area hurt economically by the downturn in the local forestry sector, Kerr said he sees Weymouth as a community dedicated to come alive.

“I’ve watched Weymouth struggle hard and this year’s economy has added to the pressure,” he said. “The community is pulling itself up and by this activity today is facing a much more positive future.”

Kerr congratulated the village on its planned manufacturing facility and said what has been achieved is marvelous.

“It is terrific that this vision is underway,” he said. “The whole project with its detailed plans is impressive to me and is an example for other communities.”

Birdsall said the $700,000 provincial investment is coming from its Community Development Trust Fund.

She spoke of Weymouth’s rich history and the resilient spirit of its residents in the face of floods, fires and the economic ups and downs of the lumber and shipping industries.

“It’s a spirit that continues to define this town’s progress and sense of community,” she said. “It is local leadership and vision that creates strong communities that not only survive but thrive through difficult times.”

Thursday’s announcement is an investment in the future prosperity of Weymouth and area, Birdsall added.

Among the Weymouth efforts to improve its future was creation of Team Weymouth, which was formed three years ago in the wake of the Irving Sawmill closure to maintain and create jobs so people will be encouraged to stay here.

“It’s an investment for our community,” said organization chair Dominique Hanna. “With the funding announcement today, our hard work over the past three years has not been wasted.”

Lefort said the first phase of redeveloping Weymouth was he creation of Sissiboo Landing.

He said the planned manufacturing facility will be an industrial incubator and provide space and incentive for new and growing innovative businesses to locate in Weymouth, bringing outside investment, jobs and retail traffic to the downtown area.

“Today’s announcement is another step toward achieving our vision and goal. Today has served as a great encouragement but the job’s not done.”

Nova Plastics has signed a letter of intent to lease space adding 20-25 new jobs in the next year and will utilize two vacant buildings in the downtown business section until the new structure is completed.

Pam Birdsall said the province has also invested in the expansion of Nova Plastics, an innovative home-grown company in Weymouth that is making Nova Scotia a better place to invest and do business.

Rug Hooking

March 19, 2009 – March 16 & 17 seen 6 ladies here at Sissiboo Landing to learn and expand on their knowledge of Rug Hooking. Vicki Graham from Brier Island guided the ladies with making a country scene chair pad. Check out our photo page for a few pictures.

Nordic Walking

March 4, 2009 – On Saturday, February 28, 8 people came to Sissiboo Landing to learn how to Nordic Walk in spite of the poring rain. Sissiboo Landing in partnership with Digby Area Recreation invited Nancy Comeau, certified Nordic Walk instructor, to come teach us how to Nordic Walk. The first thing was to get the poles to the right height for each person, then a general idea on how to Nordic Walk. Nordic Walking can be done in all seasons in all weather conditions. The walkers today got a little wet but enjoyed learning and hope to try again on a dryer day. To view some of the pictures, check out Nordic Walking in our photo gallery.

2nd Annual Festival of Trees

December 4, 2008 – The evening of November 28 saw a Wine & Cheese Gala to celebrate the opening of the 2nd Annual Festival of Trees at Sissiboo Landing. The doors opened 10am Saturday, November 29 for the community to come and see the 28 trees that were decorated by organizations, businesses and churches in the area. A large card was signed by visitors attending the Festival to be sent to the Canadian Troops serving in Afghanistan. There were christmas treats to be enjoyed as well as a silent auction table to try your bidding at. The children were able to do a craft and have their picture taken at the reindeer. Visitors each received a ballot to vote on their favorite tree. It was a hard decision because all the trees were special in their own way.
1st place People's Choice Award went to the Weymouth Trading Post for their Christmas Tea Party Tree. 2nd place went to Weymouth Consolidated School for their Education Involves Healthy Happy Children.
The trees will remain up until December 13 for those who were unable to get in on the weekend.
Many thanks to the volunteers who helped with the weekend, to those who put up trees, we couldn't have done it without you and those who came to see the trees. Please go to the photo page to see photos of the Festival.
We look forward to doing this again next year.