[Smevo]

Another Project completed

New DFO building in Westmount will open Thursday

Facility will amalgamate offices from three different sites

Section: Business

By Greg McNeil, Cape Breton Post

The finishing touches are being put on the new Eastern Nova Scotia operational headquarters for the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada.

When it opens Thursday, the $4.7-million, 10,000-square-foot facility on the Westmount Road will accommodate all office and conservation and protection staff.

Acting area director Joan Reid said the new building will help the DFO amalgamate different offices located across the Cape Breton Regional Municipality.

"We've got our (administration) staff here at the (Canadian) Coast Guard College, we have enforcement staff at the Cabot House and then we have boats and various other equipment stored at a warehouse on Keltic Drive. This is going to consolidate all those three."

One example of inefficiencies with the current setup was found in the daily duties of DFO officers.

Often times they are forced to travel back and forth to service various gear and seized equipment in the DFO warehouse before returning to the main office to do the paperwork.

The headquarters will continue to be responsible for a large area of the province, including part of the fishery in the Bay of Fundy.

While more efficient, no new services will be offered.

"We are hoping it will be a little better service for our clients as well as a little more effective operation for us. Hopefully, it will be a little more economical for us."

Although the offices leave the coast guard building they will remain on coast guard property.

To accommodate the move the DFO office will be closed until Thursday.

Historic church in North Sydney undergoing facelift

First phase of renovations will cost approximately $300,000

Section: Northside/Victoria

By Julie Collins, Cape Breton Post

St. Matthew-Wesley United Church is an impressive landmark that takes up an entire town block in North Sydney.

Since August the congregation has had to put up with buckets in the sanctuary because of a leaky roof.

Workers with Joneljim Concrete Construction are putting a new roof on the sanctuary and will replace a number of the windows.

"The congregation, though aged and small in number decided that this was too valuable a structure to lose," said June Robertson, treasurer of the structure committee. "The workers with Joneljim are doing a tremendous job. They are identifying any problems along the way that need attention."

The congregation had to get permission from the Sydney Presbytery before going ahead with the project.

"It was a bit of a struggle, but we did eventually get permission. The Presbytery was concerned about whether it was a wise investment, but the congregation decided this is where we belong."

The original church was moved back and a new one build on the front lot. Three months after the dedication, the structure burned down. The dedication of St. Matthew-Wesley took place in 1901.

"Our ancestors gave up everything to build this church and our congregation feels the same. The men of the congregation, most who are 60-plus, insulated the floor in the sanctuary, but the major work to the exterior is just too big a job for them to tackle."

Along with a leaky roof, the window sills are rotting and the church lost a window in the bell tower during the last storm.

Some of the stained glass windows may have to be removed. As much of the stained glass will be saved and inserts put on the replacement windows to accommodate the stained glass.

The first phase of the renovation work will cost in the area of $300,000.

"We have some trust money, people are generously donating to the structure fund and as a congregation we are doing what we can to raise money," Robertson said. "St. Matthew-Wesley has the arches and turrets, the Cassavant pipe organ and theatre type seating that gives everyone a view of what is going on at the front of the church. There are so many unique features to this structure, to consider building a new church wasn't an option."

Robertson said as finances allow, the congregation hopes to will take on renovations to the interior of the church. They plan to lower the ceiling in the main hall to help lower heating costs.

"As with many of our congregation, I was baptised, confirmed, married and had my children baptised in this church," she said. "Church is the one place that the main events of one's life happens emotionally, spiritually and historically, its been our connection."

Robertson added that even though the task is monumental, since deciding to move on the renovations the mood of the congregation has been joyous.