COLDBROOK, N.S. — The official opening of the new County of Kings municipal complex in Coldbrook has been celebrated with two events.
A wine and cheese grand opening for dignitaries and invited guests was held at the building, located at 181 Coldbrook Village Park Drive, on Oct. 29. The event was catered by Chartwells and featured wine, live music, speeches, a ribbon cutting and tours. An open house for the general public was held Oct. 30 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Deputy Mayor Emily Lutz, who served as emcee for the Oct. 29 event, said the building is the result of countless hours of planning, community engagement and construction.
“As you hear about the impressive architectural features and enjoy the art and music, I also invite you to consider this place your place,” Lutz said.
She thanked architect Stantec and builder Roscoe Construction for making the space a reality. Lutz also thanked municipal staff for working hard to transition to the new complex and to stage the opening events.
Mayor Peter Muttart said they are very pleased with the results they’ve received from their contractors. He said they never want the taxpayers to forget that the new municipal complex is their building and that the councillors are their elected representatives.
“There’s not one councillor here that I would criticize for not doing the job that you sent them here to do,” Muttart said.
He mentioned several of the partners the municipality is involved with, including neighbouring municipal units, First Nations and several inter-municipal organizations. Muttart said these partnerships are fostered on the behalf of citizens to help “bring this municipality into the future” and accomplish the goals citizens filter through their council representatives.
Muttart said the municipality continues to protect agricultural land, the basis of the county’s economy. Approximately 20 per cent of the municipality’s land mass is actively farmed. Kings County is responsible for 35 to 40 per cent of Nova Scotia’s agricultural output.
Muttart said “that is pretty impressive.” He extended his thanks and congratulations to the farmers of the district.
Chief Sidney Peters of the Glooscap First Nation spoke at the grand opening, congratulating the municipality on the new complex.
“I look forward to working with you guys in the future and I’m sure you’ll have lots of great discussion and decision making in this building,” Peters said.
LONG ROAD TO COMPLETION
Discussions and various plans for a new municipal complex unfolded over approximately 10 years and three council terms.
The former municipal complex in Kentville was sold to the province for use by the Department of Justice a few years ago.
Initially, the municipality gave indication that it would be moving out in 2016 but had to extend its lease for three more years while the process to establish the new complex unfolded.
In June 2017, following an extensive public consultation process, council voted to locate the new municipal complex on the Coldbrook Village Park Drive property, which is about six acres in size.
In January 2018, council voted to award the construction contract to Roscoe Construction of Cambridge for the total price of $5,310,000 plus HST. Council also approved a contingency fund of 7.5 per cent of the contract value for potential change orders.
$1.8 million in funding for a new public works garage, to be built in a separate location yet to be identified, is included in the municipality’s budget for the current year.
DID YOU KNOW?
- The new municipal complex features geothermal heating and air exchange.
- It features LED lights that are motion activated.
- There are dividers in the council chambers, so the space can be used for other public gatherings.
- The new complex includes a hub for business incubation, including two offices and open space.
- There are breakout rooms allowing for private meetings between developers and development officers, for example.
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