CHCO-TV NewsBreak26 with Vicki Hogarth: September 3, 2024

O'Brien House Demolition Begins in St. Andrews

Demolition has begun on the O’Brien House, a former staff residence at the Algonquin Resort in St. Andrews. Built in 1917, the building had been vacant for years due to severe deterioration. Engineers advised the hotel that tearing it down was the best option. The site will be redeveloped into new staff housing, with completion expected by next summer.

"The goal is to accommodate families. One of the big challenges we face is that everyone loves coming to St. Andrews—it’s beautiful—but it's difficult to live here long-term if you're in staff housing," said Algonquin Resort General Manager Stephen Dodwell. "We’re finding it hard to attract managers, supervisors, and other staff who have families, children, or even pets. The plan is to build around 20 apartments, mostly one-bedroom units, but with four or five two- and three-bedroom options. These could be for an executive chef, a housekeeping supervisor, or a restaurant lead."

The Algonquin employs approximately 250 people during the peak summer season, with current staff housed in nearby resort buildings and the W.C. O’Neil Arena dorms.

The resort also plans to build a Nordic spa near the Prince of Wales wing, operated by Moncton’s Usva Spa. The project is awaiting final approval, with construction possibly starting this fall. This development is part of the resort’s strategy to become a year-round destination with winter attractions.

"The fact that we're open 12 months a year is huge for us," Dodwell added. "We’ve been building the Children's Play Zone, but I think the biggest draw coming is the Usva Spa. It’ll be a Nordic spa next to the Prince of Wales building. We hope to break ground this fall, and it will take several months to build. It’s going to be fantastic—not only for hotel guests but for locals and visitors throughout the region."

Air Ambulance Service Returns to Grand Manan

On Tuesday, a ribbon-cutting ceremony at Grand Manan Airport celebrated the long-awaited return of the island’s air ambulance service after nearly two years. Although scheduled for the afternoon, the plane was called into action earlier in the day to transport a patient, underscoring the island's urgent need for this service. The King Air 200 began operations over Labour Day weekend through a collaboration between Ambulance New Brunswick and Voyageur Aviation. The Village of Grand Manan is also building a dedicated hangar for the aircraft.

Grand Manan Mayor Bonnie Morse will join CHCO-TV next week to discuss how the new air ambulance is improving emergency medical care on the island.

Cell Phones Banned in New Brunswick Classrooms

As students return to school this week, New Brunswick has implemented new cellphone rules. Students must now place their phones on silent in a designated area during class. Phones needed for medical purposes can remain with students.

"In addition to the distractions they cause, cell phones contribute to behaviour issues," said Anglophone South Superintendent Derek O'Brien. "A lot of students' social lives happen on their phones outside school hours, but those issues often spill into the school day. Administrators and staff end up managing problems rooted in students' social media interactions."

St. Stephen Woman Advocates for Wheelchair-Accessible Bus

Lorraine Justason is calling on the St. Stephen Council to support the purchase and operation of a wheelchair-accessible bus, estimating it will cost around $95,000. Justason emphasized that many community members, especially seniors, are unable to run errands or visit loved ones without accessible transportation.

"We can get up and go, but a lot of seniors can’t," Justason said to CHCO-TV.

Christian Larsen of Pennfield Awarded Minister of Veterans Affairs Commendation

Christian Larsen of Pennfield has been recognized as one of the 2024 recipients of the Minister of Veterans Affairs Commendation. The award honours his dedication to preserving the history of Pennfield Ridge Air Station and Camp Utopia. Larsen recently joined CHCO-TV for a half-hour discussion on his efforts to document and preserve this important part of local history. Watch the full interview on Southwest Magazine.

—Vicki Hogarth, CHCO-TV