Latest News
Sterling Peyton Welcomes Goosebay Capital Corporation to the Labrador North Chamber of Commerce
January 21, 2013
"We are thrilled that the Goose Bay Capital Corporation has become a member of the Labrador North Chamber of Commerce," says Labrador North Chamber of Commerce President Sterling Peyton. "The Goose Bay Town Centre project is an important development for the region, one that has the potential to respond to the future needs and anticipated growth of our communities, and create a better business environment for both established and future business operations."
For more information on the Labrador North Chamber of Commerce, please visit their website at: http://www.chamberlabrador.com/
Goose Bay Capital Corporation to be represented at Northern Exposure 2013
January 04, 2013
Goose Bay Capital Corporation Inc. President and CEO, Mr. Lyman Langille to speak at the Northern Exposure 2013 Labrador Opportunity Conference and Tradeshow.
Mr. Langille's presentation will take place on Wednesday, January 23rd from 3:30pm - 4:00pm at the Delta Saint John's Hotel & Conference Centre in Saint John's NL.
View the complete agenda here.
For additional details regarding Northern Exposure 2013 please visit: http://www.chamberlabrador.com/ne2013.html
Happy Valley-Goose Bay working to create a town
January 02, 2013
By Jenny McCarthy
Special to Transcontinental Media
Happy Valley-Goose Bay
When developer Lyman Langille contacted the town of Happy Valley-Goose Bay two years ago with an idea, he garnered a lot of attention.
Langille said while there are stores and residential areas throughout the community, he noticed Goose Bay was lacking a town centre.
So he and some partners came together to form Goose Bay Capital Corporation and proposed to create such a focal point.
Happy Valley-Goose Bay Mayor Leo Abbass thought it was a great idea.
“It would unite our community. It would tie the lower valley in with the upper part of town,” he said. “It would give us that centre location and maybe even an area we can look at as a downtown area.”
The developers proposed a central area with stores, green spaces and a residential area all in one. What’s more, as an added bonus for the town, the development would cost the town little more than the expense of amending some zoning bylaws.
The proposed area contains a mixture of residential, environmental protection, public and commercial zoning. The town has drafted amendments to change the areas to mixed use as Centre Goose Bay so the residential, commercial and green spaces can be intermixed.
Last summer, the town took the proposed bylaw amendments to the community and, without much protest, the rezoning proposals were sent to the provincial government for approval.
Meanwhile, the developer began community consultations to get an idea of what residents would like to see in a central development.
Community members provided input on potential concepts and, in the end, Langille and his consultants took away the ideas to draw up a draft plan.
The draft plan was submitted to the municipal council for input and council made suggestions and negotiations continued until a final plan was agreed upon.
Details are being ironed out before the agreement can be signed.
“We want to make sure everything that’s being done is in the best interest of the community,” said Abbass.
The town is currently waiting for the provincial government’s decision and for some issues to be cleared with the Department of National Defence, but the mayor is optimistic.
“The expectation is that it would start this construction season.”
He said the development is planned out in phases and could take years to complete.
While some local business people have expressed concerns about the impact potential big-box stores could have on their bottom lines, Abbass said the space is meant to also be inclusive of local businesses that may be interested in being part of the development.
“Nobody is going to be shut out,” he said.
Local Labrador North Chamber of Commerce executive director Brian Fowlow said he sees it as a positive move for the region.
“From what we’ve seen so far it would be a positive thing, not only for new business coming in to set up, but also existing business from the standpoint that if we are to develop as a community these are the kind of developments we need.”
Fowlow said the chamber of commerce is looking at building its own office and can see the benefits of being located in the proposed town centre.
The Labradorian
Best Wishes and Happy Holidays -
December 20, 2012
In this most magical of seasons, may you find peace, love
and much happiness-
Wishing you and all those close to you a joyous Holiday and Happy New Year!
-Goose Bay Captial Corporation
Dunderdale gives Muskrat Falls the go-ahead
December 17, 2012
Premier Kathy Dunderdale announces the sanctioning of the Muskrat Falls hydroelectric project. (Graham Kennedy/The Canadian Press)
Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Kathy Dunderdale has given the green light to the controversial Muskrat Falls hydroelectric project.
Dunderdale officially sanctioned the project, which will cost at least $7.7-billion, shortly after 6 p.m. local time in the lobby of Confederation Buildilng.
"This is truly a significant day in the history of Newfoundland and Labrador as we prepare to write the next chapter in our province’s future," said a smiling Dunderdale.
“With the development of Muskrat Falls, our province will make the transition from an economy dependent on non-renewable resources to a diversified renewable economy fuelled by clean, renewable power that will provide benefits and opportunity for future generations of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians.”
Surrounded by supporters
Dunderdale was flanked by cabinet ministers, including Natural Resources Minister Jerome Kennedy.
The lobby was filled with people waiting for the announcement, including former premier Danny Williams, who intiated the project, former natural resources minister Shawn Skinner, and many workers with Nalcor, the Crown-owned energy corporation.
Dunderdale's announcement was timed to allow for live television coverage, and also to coincide with the day's closing of the Toronto Stock Exchange.
Halifax-based Emera Inc., a partner in the project, is a publicly traded company.
Most expensive in N.L. history
Muskrat Falls will be the most expensive capital works project in the province's history.
It will take several years to dam falls and build an 824-megawatt generating station.
Subsea cables will transmit the power from Labrador to Newfoundland, with the island using 40 per cent of total power produced.
A 20 per cent block of the power is earmarked for Nova Scotia, via an additional set of subsea cables.
Nalcor will look for markets for the remaining 40 per cent of the power. Options include industrial use in Labrador, or sales to other energy markets through Nova Scotia, using Emera's transmission assets.
The government has introduced two bills — Bill 60 and Bill 61 — to enable Muskrat Falls, and Dunderdale last week indicated formal approval of the project was imminent.
Both the NDP and Liberals have threatened to launch a filibuster over the enabling legislation that must pass the house for Muskrat Falls to proceed. In response, Dunderdale said she was prepared to keep the House of Assembly open through Christmas, if necessary.
Project criticized
Muskrat Falls has been steadily criticized by a number of groups, with some alleging it has not undergone an independent review, others questioning whether the province can afford the debt load from the project, and whether ordinary taxpayers will be footing the bill for the development.
The Quebec government has also made it clear that it is furious about the federal loan guarentee, with Alexandre Cloutier, the province's intergovernmental affairs minister, saying that Quebec never recieved that type of help from Ottawa for its hydroelectric development.
But the project was considered to be close to a done deal on Nov. 30, when Prime Minister Stephen Harper signed a term sheet for a $6.3-billion loan guarantee in Happy Valley-Goose Bay. The prime minister was joined by the premiers of Newfoundland and Labrador and Nova Scotia, and executives from their provincial energy counterparts, Nalcor and Emera.
That guarantee will substantially lower the costs of the project.
Feeding at the Trough
December 10, 2012
Even as world financial markets struggle to find their footing, investors and developers are surging ahead with new projects in the iron ore-rich Labrador Trough - By Stephanie Porter
Equity research analyst Robin Kozar put the momentum and reality of Labrador’s iron ore industry into sharp perspective: While Canada currently produces only about two per cent of the world’s iron ore, he says, that should rise to five per cent in the next three years. It’s a substantial leap – and virtually all of that iron ore will come from the Labrador Trough.
“The Labrador Trough is growing in importance,” Kozar said, speaking at Mining NL’s Resource Investors Forum in St. John’s in September. “It’s not supplying 25 per cent of the market, it’s five per cent. But in terms of companies that are looking to diversify source of supply, it’s relevant.
“It’s an opportunity globally, nationally and regionally to be a more significant supplier to the market.”
This opportunity comes amidst years of uncertainty in the financial markets. Far from deterring major investors, the forecast has never been stronger for the region. Even as the price of iron ore fell to a three-year low last summer, exploration and development charged ahead in Labrador and eastern Quebec. Major partnerships were signed; billions in investment have been made or promised.
Kozar predicts the current production levels of 35 million tonnes of iron ore from the area could increase to about 65 million tonnes by 2015. And it’s only up from there.
The Labrador Trough is a 1,100-kilometre long, 160-kilometre wide swath of iron ore-rich land straddling the Labrador-Quebec border. In many cases, the resource is clean, with lower levels of contaminants than other global deposits, making it a favourite of steel makers.
Mining iron ore in the Labrador Trough has been ongoing for over half a century – Wabush Mines and the Iron Ore Company of Canada (IOC) being two of the longest operating. Some two billion tonnes of iron ore have been produced from the area to date.
It is already a time of growth. Wabush Mines and IOC are both in expansion phases. Last year, they were joined by the newest iron ore producer, Labrador Iron Mines, located near Schefferville, Quebec. Labrador Iron Mines marked its first full year of production in 2012, extracting two million tonnes.
There are two key projects in the development phase on the Labrador side of the border. Alderon Iron Ore, in Labrador West, has completed its feasibility study and is aggressively planning full production by 2015. Further north, near Schefferville, Tata Steel Minerals Canada produced the first saleable product from their Direct Shipping Ore project in September 2012. Tata is also in the midst of its own feasibility study of two major deposits, and is targeting production by 2016.
The forecasted gross value of mineral shipments from Newfoundland and Labrador for 2012 is $5.7 billion – up 25 per cent over 2011 estimates. This is almost entirely due to a jump in iron ore production. It seems to be a sign of things to come.
For all the buzz and activity around iron ore production in the Labrador Trough, it is not without its drawbacks: the area is quite cold for much of the year – some companies only run seasonal mining operations. It is also relatively isolated and distant from key markets, such as China. All of these factors increase the cost of extracting and delivering Labrador iron ore.
While iron ore mining is not new to the area, the recent pace of exploration and development is. Available infrastructure is limited. All iron ore that is mined in the Labrador Trough must be transported, by rail, to the north shore of the St. Lawrence River and the ports of Port-Cartier, Point Noir, or Sept-Iles.
There are currently two main rail lines: the Quebec Cartier Railway connecting Mont-Wright to Port-Cartier and a longer line, the Quebec North Shore and Labrador Railway/ Tshiuetin Rail Line, which runs nearly 600 kilometres from Schefferville to the port of Sept-Iles. This line also connects with Wabush and Labrador City.
The need for additional rail capacity is well recognized, evidenced by a major feasibility study spearheaded by CN Rail, announced in August 2012. The study will examine a proposed third rail line, connecting the Labrador Trough to the port of Sept-Iles. Many of the major players in the area – Alderon, Cap- Ex, Cliffs Natural Resources, Labrador Iron Mines, and New Millennium – are contributing significantly to the study in order to secure future capacity.
There is another major expansion in the works that is critical to the future of iron ore mining in the area: the Sept- Iles Port Authority has begun work on a new multi-user deep-water dock. Again, a number of iron ore players have signed an agreement with the Sept-Iles Port Authority, exchanging financing for confirmed shipping capacity: New Millennium, Labrador Iron Mines, Champion Minerals, Alderon Iron Ore, and Tata Steel Minerals.
“This infrastructure is the key,” says Gerry O’Connell, executive director of Mining NL, an association representing the province’s mineral industry. “The deposits are there, but iron ore is a bulk commodity. It has to go out in bulk.” These agreements, continues O’Connell, are a sure sign the iron ore companies involved have full intentions of getting the resource to market.
Of course, as is the case with all commodities, the price the market will pay for the resource remains uncertain. For decades, iron ore prices were relatively stable – and low. From 1980 until about 2004, iron ore was priced between $11 and $17 (US) per tonne.
Everything started to change in 2004. The price of iron ore began a steep upward climb, to a peak of $187 per tonne in 2010. Analysts theorized about a $120 price floor as exploration and planning went into overdrive. Through a major recession and global financial shakeups, the price of iron seemed unstoppable. Mining the Labrador Trough was no longer prohibitively expensive.
The single reason for this huge price spike? The urbanization of China. Even as the rest of the world’s finances struggled, China built bigger cities, requiring huge amounts of steel – of which iron ore is the primary ingredient.
“We are in a period of prolonged global financial turbulence,” says Tayfun Eldem, president and CEO of Alderon Iron Ore. “China has unilaterally shouldered the burden and allowed the worldwide iron industry to thrive ...Although the pace is slowing down, they are still experiencing impressive growth. Their needs and their growth are far from over.”
That may be true, but the pace of growth and construction has slowed. By mid-2012, prices were dipping again. In September 2012, they fell sharply, to under $87 per metric tonne.
“There is a lot of concern about volatility in the market, a lot of concern about where prices are going,” says analyst Kozar. “And there is some near- term volatility, but at the end of the day, China is the key driver.” While the pace of growth in China may slow down, it is still growing.
“We’re firm believers that steel production will continue to grow.”
Investors from China are seeking new sources of iron ore, in efforts to both secure supply and diversify. The famously high-quality, clean resource from Labrador is attractive.
Alderon Iron Ore, which is developing the substantial Kami deposit in Labrador West, is driven by Chinese investment in a very direct way. Alderon currently has two key partners: Hebi, China’s largest steel maker, and Liberty Metals and Mining Holdings. Importantly, Hebi has agreed to purchase 60 per cent of the iron ore production from the project for use in China.
It’s proven an effective way to de-risk Kami’s development. Recent low iron ore prices have not affected Alderon’s schedule, says Eldem.
“Our view is that iron ore prices are unlikely to go back to $180, but by the same token, it is highly unlikely that iron ore prices are going to regress back to where they were in the 1980s,” he says. “It’s full steam ahead into development.”
Alderon is certainly one of the biggest-name projects in the Labrador Trough. Located near Labrador City and Wabush, the project is known to many Newfoundlanders as much because former premier Danny Williams is on the board of directors as for its potential.
But the potential is there. “The Kami deposit is world-class in terms of size and quality,” says Eldem. He says there is a confirmed 1.4 billion tonnes of iron ore in the deposit. Alderon’s posted plans are to mine about eight million tonnes a year – but Eldem indicates that number could double. He estimates the life of the mine to be between 27 and 30 years.
The project’s feasibility study is expected to be completed by the end of 2012.
“All of our accomplishments so far have been on schedule or ahead of schedule,” says Eldem. “Going forward, we are very confident that we will reach our goal of production by 2015.”
There are also distinct benefits to Newfoundland and Labrador. According to a press release from the company, Alderon expects the Kami project to generate $2 billion in tax revenues, $1.6 billion in employment, and contribute $13.6 billion to the provincial GDP.
“We are putting Newfoundland and Labrador on the radar in terms of value globally,” says Eldem.
Tata Steel Minerals of Canada, a partnership between India’s Tata Steel and New Millennium Iron, is also moving forward quickly. The company produced the first saleable product from their Direct Shipping Ore project in September.
The bigger story for this group, however, is its own feasibility study, to be complete by the end of 2012. This $50- million study is examining the potential of two key deposits – LabMag (Labrador) and KéMag (Quebec) – in the Millennium range, a 210-km Taconite belt controlled by New Millennium.
New Millennium’s vice president of investor relations, Ernest Dempsey, recently pegged the potential of the Taconite project at 9.2 billion tonnes. The planned full annual production level of 22 million tonnes – which could be reached by 2017 – puts the mine’s operations at the level of IOC’s.
“We are not about a single project, but about developing an iron ore district,” Dempsey stated.
Looking through the program for Mining NL’s Resource Investor’s Forum, it’s not hard to see where the focus was this year. Fully half of the companies presenting during the two-day conference were there to speak about iron ore projects.
Many of the presenters, including Cap- Ex Ventures, Golden Dory Resources, Adriana Resources, Century Iron Mines, and Ridgemont Iron Ore, are deep into the exploration phase of sites within the Labrador Trough. North Atlantic Iron was also present, and spoke about their unique iron sands project, near Happy Valley Goose Bay.
Even after the sting of the low iron ore prices, Mining NL executive director O’Connell doesn’t see any reason to be anything but optimistic about the future of the resource within the province.
“People may be pulling back a bit,” he says, “but there is no reason that all of these companies will not continue to expand.”
Does the recent global market instability have any effect on iron ore producers?
“It’s extra difficult to raise money, there is a worldwide flight from risk. People are not interested in investing in commodities, in general,” says O’Connell.
But iron ore will continue to be shielded from this to some degree, he continues, particularly as long as China keeps building. “People need it. They can stop buying gold; they can’t stop buying iron ore.” | NRM
Source: http://www.atlanticbusinessmagazine.ca/feature/natresfeeding-at-the-trough/
Muskrat Falls Hydro Project Secures Federal Loan Guarantee
December 01, 2012
HAPPY VALLEY-GOOSE BAY, N.L. -- Prime Minister Stephen Harper signed off on a loan guarantee agreement Friday that would save Newfoundland and Labrador and Nova Scotia more than $1 billion in borrowing costs on the $7.4-billion Muskrat Falls hydroelectric project.
The federal backing, which Harper promised during last year's election campaign, is included in a term sheet that would guarantee up to $6.3 billion in debt over 35 to 40 years for the financing of the project.
"I want to emphasize that this project is going to be a real game change for this region and this province," Harper told a news conference Friday at the 5 Wing Goose Bay airbase in Happy Valley-Goose Bay.
"It is a genuine historic occasion and it is the beginning of what I think will be a very long era of prosperity and opportunity for the people of this region and the entire province."
Harper congratulated Nova Scotia Premier Darrell Dexter and Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Kathy Dunderdale, whose determination on the loan guarantee he called "relentless."
Dunderdale said Muskrat Falls is the key to "a sustainable, prosperous future" that will allow her province to harness more of its energy resources at the lowest cost to the province's residents and businesses.
Dexter said Muskrat Falls will provide secure reliable energy in a province where many families struggle to pay heat and light bills.
The project would be built in the riding of federal Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Peter Penashue, who has come under criticism for months for overspending his legal limit in last year's election campaign.
The Opposition NDP have also questioned Penashue's involvement in the awarding of contracts related to Muskrat Falls.
Harper dismissed the attack, saying the federal government is not a contracting party on Muskrat Falls.
"What the federal government is doing under this agreement ... is providing a loan guarantee at extremely low risk, and frankly, I think in the long-term zero cost to the taxpayers of Canada," Harper said.
"(Penashue) included this commitment to the people of Newfoundland and Labrador and he is doing exactly what the people of Newfoundland and Labrador, the people of Labrador, elected him to do."
Dunderdale's government has waited for the federal support before sanctioning Muskrat Falls, which is expected to happen before the end of the year.
The Quebec government has opposed federal support for the project, and on Friday that province's intergovernmental affairs minister spoke out against the announcement.
"We'll make sure that we use all tools available to us to make sure Quebec's point of view is being heard, including judicial means," Alexandre Cloutier told a news conference in Quebec City.
"The federal government is acting against Quebec's interests, using Quebecers' money to deploy a federal grant to Labrador, and that will have a bad impact on Quebec's economy."
If it goes ahead, Muskrat Falls would be the largest single public expenditure in Newfoundland and Labrador's history, costing almost as much as its annual budget.
It is expected to begin generating power in 2017, and some of that electricity would flow to Nova Scotia through subsea cables.
Opponents have said Dunderdale has not proven the case for Muskrat Falls, accusing her of expediting a project without debate that could burden future generations with a heavy debt.
But her government has countered the criticism by releasing a series of reports in recent weeks that conclude the project is a viable, clean source of renewable energy that's needed to wean the province off fossil fuels.
If it proceeds, Muskrat Falls would be capable of generating up to 824 megawatts of electricity, 170 megawatts of which would go to Nova Scotia annually for 35 years. That would serve about 10 per cent of that's province's power needs.
The development is a joint venture between Nalcor Energy, Newfoundland and Labrador's Crown utility company, and Nova Scotia private utility Emera (TSX:EMA).
Nalcor Energy would be responsible for the construction of the dam and power station in Labrador as well as transmission lines on the island of Newfoundland. That is expected to cost about $6.2 billion.
Emera would build subsea a 180-kilometre subsea link that would transmit the power from Cape Ray in southwestern Newfoundland to Lingan, N.S., in Cape Breton. That is expected to cost at least $1.2 billion.
Emera has until July 2014 to opt out of the deal, but Harper said he is confident it will proceed.
"I don't see anything in Nova Scotia that will change that, so I'm very confident that everybody who's a party will remain a party," he said. "This is a project that is in everybody's interest."
Preliminary work on a road to the site near Happy Valley-Goose Bay has already started.
The project has been on the drawing board in one form or another for decades. In 1980, it passed an environmental assessment but was set aside due to market access and financing issues.
The Canadian Press
Published Friday, Nov. 30, 2012 6:42AM EST
Last Updated Friday, Nov. 30, 2012 4:37PM EST
Cover Photo: Prime Minister Stephen Harper signed a loan agreement supporting the Muskrat Falls project on Friday, Nov. 30, 2012.
Read more: http://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/muskrat-falls-hydro-project-secures-federal-loan-guarantee-1.1060123#ixzz2DxBG8MrZ
Video Link: http://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/muskrat-falls-hydro-project-secures-federal-loan-guarantee-1.1060123
Our
October 31, 2012
Any undertaking the magnitude of the proposed Goose Bay Town Centre project will require the services of many highly talented professionals to “get it right”. This first phase of Goose Bay Town Centre development is no exception and we are fortunate to have Mr. Paul Behner as our Project Manager for Infrastructure. Paul has been overseeing the site work and is “very pleased with his new assignment and the commencement of the project”.
Paul is selective of the projects he participates in and only committed to this initiative after a visit to the Town of Goose Bay to meet the people, learn about the lifestyle and assess how this development could add value to the Goose way of life for generations to come. One visit was enough and he was intrigued. The exposure to the pristine and rugged beauty, the abundance of natural resources combined with the immense un-tapped potential of the region was compelling for our man in Goose, given Paul’s passion for the environment and innovative projects.
As a leader, Paul is able to identify and bring out the best in people. “We are continuing to work with local suppliers in recognition of the value they bring to the project.” Paul and the project team are working hard to keep ahead of the immanent cold weather which will engulf Central Labrador until late spring. With significant experience dealing with a variety of soil conditions - rock, swamp, clay and mud, Paul says “One of the most fascinating things about Goose Bay is the sand. It is everywhere and it is consistent and you know what you have to deal with - Goose Bay is one big sandbox."
GBCC President Lyman Langille speaking in reference to Paul’s appointment stated “we at Goose Bay Capital Corporation are proud to have his expertise leading the civil construction phase of our Town Centre project. Over the next month, Paul will continue to utilize skillful eye for eco-friendly development to build upon the tremendous progress in Goose to date.” Paul expectsthat all underground services for Main Street will be substantially completed before the frost sets in. His closing comment “This big sand box will be transformed into a legacy Labradorians will greatly appreciate forever. The awesome efforts of many talented people involved in this project thus far will lead to great things in the Spring.”
Please Note: Paul Behner can be contacted at Paul@GooseBayCapitalCorportation.com
Williams reaffirms Muskrat Falls support
October 22, 2012
Danny Williams is once again voicing his support for the proposed Muskrat Falls hydroelectric project.
The former premier waded into the debate with a major speech to the St. John's Board of Trade on Monday.
"I fully support and endorse the development of Muskrat Falls," he told a packed audience at the St. John's Convention Centre.
"It is time to choose our destiny. It is time to act. It is time to take our place on the world stage as a true energy warehouse."
Williams' words came as no surprise, since negotiating the terms of the multibillion-dollar hydro deal was his last major act as premier.
He also defended the provincial government and Nalcor against criticism from the project's opponents, and stood up for Premier Kathy Dunderdale. He backed up her claim that Quebec is an issue in the deal.
"I've seen up close and personal the lengths to which Hydro-Quebec will go in order to disadvantage Newfoundland and Labrador," Williams said.
"It is not a myth or an urban legend. It is a reality."
Williams also defended himself. He currently plays a central role with Alderon, a company with significant mining interests in Labrador and with a need for affordable electricity.
Critics say it's a conflict of interest for Williams.
"I most certainly would not jeopardize years of working for this province or my own personal reputation for the sake of Muskrat Falls or a mining company," he said.
Town Centre Project Shovel-Ready
September 24, 2012
Happy Valley-Goose Bay mayor Leo Abbass and developer Lyman Langille turned the sod to officially mark the beginning of the construction of a Goose By Town Centre on Sept. 19.
“The Goose Bay Town Centre Project will represent the most innovative, multi-dimensional development project to develop in Labrador,” Langille said.
At the same time, the Nunatsiavut group of companies’ board member Jim Igloliorte announced its purchase of 51 percent of shares in the Goose Bay Capital Corporation.
“The Goose Bay Town Centre Project is another symbol that Goose Bay and Nunatsiavut are ready to do business,” Igloliorte said.
President of the Nunatsiavut Group of Companies, James Thorbourne explained that having majority ownership would not change the face of the Goose Bay Town Centre project although it would give priority for work and contracts to Nunatsiavut beneficiaries and companies.
“We share the views as to what the needs are for Happy Valley-Goose Bay,” he said.
The blueprint for the project has already been laid out and agreed upon between the town and developers.
The town of Happy Valley-Goose Bay does not have any ownership in the Town Centre Project but they have had to approve the development project and work with the developers to decide how the town centre would look. They signed a final agreement on the blueprint this year.
Mayor Abbass said what will come in the next couple years is a tribute to the community and Langille’s planning.
“This is an idea that’s become a reality that hasn’t just happened,” Mayor Abbass said.
Talk of a town centre began in 2010 when Langille first came to the town with the proposal. A year later, Nunatsiavut began talks to acquire shares in the development and their agreement was finalized in July of this year.
Langille said the development will be multi-year but in it’s residential capacity it will be able to meet the needs of an increasing population. The plans for the initial stage of building development, set to commence next year, include a combined residential and commercial premises that Langille said could compare too similar developments on St, John’s Water Street. He emphasized that this comparison and the drawings on the Town Centre Website are only concepts and the final infrastructure may not look exactly that way.
“We know residential has to come,” he said.
Langille said that getting his own workers on the ground for the project has emphasized the need for housing in the area and they are currently working on renovating three spaces throughout town to house 20 workers.
Thus the decision was made to get some of the residential aspects of the town centre completed before bringing the larger commercial entities or ‘box stores’ so as to have the ability to have housing for the workers who will both work on the project and work in the new establishments. He said a box store should be in place in 2014.
Langille said they are also looking at housing space for seniors and are currently carrying out a study in partnership with Labrador Grenfell Health to find out what that need is.
The town centre development is set to include apartments as well as low density or single-family dwellings further back on the property.
At the moment the developers are getting ready to install water and sewer on the land they currently own, adjacent to Tim Horton’s on Hamilton River Road, in the areas that were recently cleared. The lot to the immediate left of the restaurant is set out for a fast food establishment. The next lot to the left of that lot will be the combined commercial residential building. Langille said construction of these buildings would take place next year.
You can view the original article here:
http://www.thelabradorian.ca/News/2012-09-24/article-3081849/Town-centre-project-shovel-ready/1
Sod-Turning Ceremony Launches Goose Bay Town Centre Development
September 20, 2012
Construction has commenced on a major commercial and residential development in the Labrador community of Happy Valley - Goose Bay.
The entire project, dubbed Goose Bay Town Centre will eventually include commercial and residential development, including restaurants, grocery stores, entertainment venues, boutiques as well as future hotels, apartment buildings, multi and single family housing and a senior’s complex.
The Goose Bay Town Centre is one of the largest land developments witnessed in Goose Bay and in the whole Labrador region.
The official sod-turning ceremony was held Wednesday morning with Mayor Leo Abbass and members of the Happy Valley - Goose Bay Town Council in attendance. Mayor Abbass suggested “Goose Bay Town Center has been in the making for more than two years and I support this vision, this project clearly sits in the middle of town and we look forward to all the benefits it will bring to the town and residents of Goose bay and region. This development has taken a great deal of effort on part of our staff and council and we are here today to celebrate the commencement of the largest development of its kind in Labrador. “
The ceremony was highlighted by comments from Lyman Langille, President of Goose Bay Capital Corporation (GBCC), the developer on the project. The importance of a master planned approach to this development was emphasized by Mr. Langille describing the process as key to the future success both for Happy Valley - Goose Bay and the region. Langille also stated “this is an historic day, a celebration of things to come and from this day forward residents of the region will begin to realize that Goose Bay Town Centre is real and a quality development all residents will be proud of.
Mr. Langille emphasized the importance of partnerships and used the event as an opportunity to announce a strategic relationship with the Nunatsiavut Group of Companies (NGC). He was joined in the ceremony by Jim Igloliorte a Board Designate of NGC. In referencing the newly signed partnership Mr. Igloliorte stated “the Goose Bay Town Centre project is an excellent opportunity for the Nunatsiavut Group of Companies and the Nunatsiavut Government beneficiaries. The Nunatsiavut Group of Companies is thrilled to be a significant investor in Goose Bay Capital Corporation and is pleased that this iconic land development project will provide for commercial and residential housing to meet the future demands of Labrador”.
In closing, Mr. Langille indicated that construction of the initial buildings will commence the summer of 2013. Mr. Langille re-iterated that Goose Bay Town Centre is open for business.
Individuals Included in the attached Photo Include (from left to right):
Bill Fleming (Goose Bay Capital Corp)
James Thorbourne(Nunatsavut Group of Companies ( NGC)
Tim McNeill (Deputy Minister Education and Economic Development, NG)
Chris Webb (NGC)
Patricia Kemuksigak, Minister of Health and Social Development , NunatsaG
Lyman Langille (Goose Bay Capital Corp)
Gary Mitchell,Minister of Education and Economic Development ,NG
Max Winters, Chair of NunaKatiget Inuit Community Corporation
Jim Igloliorte, Director, NGC
Leo Abbass (Mayor HVGB)
Goose Bay Town Centre Moving Forward
April 24, 2012
Goose Bay Capital Corporation (GBCC) received approval of the development agreement for Goose Bay Town Center at the April 24th meeting of the Happy Valley /Goose Bay Town Council. At that time, Council members approved the long awaited agreement to proceed with the Town center Development.
Corporation President Lyman Langille was pleased with the decision stating “With this agreement in hand, GBCC is now in position to conclude a number of pending partnership arrangements critically important to the project. As well, the approval will drive the detailed designs which will trigger activity at the site.”
Langille also verified his company’s continued efforts to keep this process moving stating “...within 60 days GBCC will be submitting detailed drawings for the construction of streets and infrastructure. These drawings will be for the initial Phase and will include the first section of” Main Street”. We are hopeful that the Municipality will be able to respond with necessary approvals in a timeline that will allow for the required construction window” He also suggested this approval will generate heightened interest in the Goose Bay Town Centre project from across the country and beyond.
“Labrador is on the verge of some amazing infrastructure and industrial development with a number of major projects being advanced at once. Such developments are likely to place significant strain on the Town to provide required goods and services. As well, Goose Bay is witnessing increased demands as a primary access point for both air and sea transport for many different service facilities. Goose Bay Town Centre has been planned for growth and will go a long way in assisting the community to address these demands.” he said.
For over a year the GBCC team has been involved refining the plan and design to ensure Goose Bay Town Centre is positioned as the prime location for future retail, office, hotel and housing development. The Master Plan incorporates a phased approach which will ensure development will advance at the pace dictated by economic growth in the area. Langille concluded “We look forward to moving forward with all interested parties to ensure the success of this project”.
For further information, contact:
Lyman Langille, President
Goose Bay Capital Corporation
Phone: 1-709-896-8006
Email: info@GooseBayCapitalCorporation.com
Nalcor Energy awards contracts for preliminary work on the Muskrat Falls generating site
April 20, 2012
Nalcor Energy today announced it is commencing road construction on the Muskrat Falls generating site and has awarded contracts for preliminary work. Contracts have been awarded for snow clearing, as well as site clearing for the access road. A contract for road construction will also be awarded shortly.
For more information, please see the following article:
http://www.nalcorenergy.com/uploads/file/nr_nalcor%20energy%20mf%20contract%20awards_april%2020_final.pdf
Plans for the "Goose Bay Town Centre"
April 04, 2012
Yesterday, a developer was back in Happy Valley-Goose Bay promoting the Goose Bay Center. Goose Bay Capital Corporation says it will be a place for people to live, shop and get professional services. The group revealed its 15 year plan at the Labrador Friendship Center. And while there's no ground breaking happening yet, there was lots of optimism at the session. Labrador Morning's John Gaudi dropped by the Labrador Friendship Center to speak with people about the project
http://podcast.cbc.ca/mp3/podcasts/labmorning_20120404_44783.mp3
Premier Kathy Dunderdale Northern Lights 2012 Business and Cultural Showcase in Ottawa
February 07, 2012
Speaking notes delivered February 3 by Premier Kathy Dunderdale to the Northern Lights 2012 Business and Cultural Showcase in Ottawa.
For more information, please see the following article:
http://www.releases.gov.nl.ca/releases/speeches/2012/0207s01.htm
Planning for good things to come
January 09, 2012
Happy Valley-Goose Bay mayor looks at 2011 and the year ahead,
For more information, please see the following:
http://www.thelabradorian.ca/News/2012-01-09/article-2858722/Planning-for-good-things-to-come/1
