July 2012
In Spring 2012, GEMTEC was hired to perform the design, permitting and engineering for a barge load out facility at the Spruce Lake Industrial Park in the Lorneville Cove. Work has begun with a pre EIA project screening involving Federal and Provincial regulators, geotechnical investigations, site survey work as well as several stakeholder meetings to date. A preliminary design for stakeholder review is expected as soon as August 2012. SJIP GM Brian Irving noted, "The environmental and site work has been done very diligently and the stakeholder engagement work so far has brought great information and insights into the facility design."
The project is aiming to fill a gap with a strategic investment. GM Irving said, "There is currently a lot of activity and growth in the modular fabrication industry. Mega projects are being built in areas which do not have the labor force requirements to perform the construction; as such, many of the components are being brought in from around the world. Increased quality is one attraction to this construction trend; however, the timelier build out factor is critical as the carrying costs of the mega projects are staggering." Saint John has several operators who could secure contracts for oversize components for a variety of mega projects: Vale Inco, refurbishments of hundreds of mills and plants along the eastern seaboard, and the opening up of the Arctic, to name a few.
If the project is successful in its realization, the Spruce Lake Barge facility will drive a lot of positive activity in the park. There is currently no barge export facility in southern New Brunswick; securing one would give the park a competitive advantage and unique offering, demand for land will increase significantly, there will be a correlating increase in real property tax revenues to the City and Province, as well as the associated jobs from the fabrication and load out of oversize modular units. SJIP GM Irving added, "This infrastructure investment puts Saint John and the region on good footing going forward. The value of the exports are massive, the years of labor required to fulfill many of the contracts available is astounding. We have skilled tradesmen, fabrication operators with expertise and capacity -- they simply need to get their products to market."
Upcoming project steps include: a formal EIA project registration, detailed design renderings, further regulator and stakeholder discussions. GM Irving noted, "We are very pleased with respect to how this project has advanced over the past 90 days. We are continuing to work with the community and our consultants to find a way to get this important project realized!"
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