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$1M firefighter training facility under construction in Antigonish

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A new firefighter training facility is under construction in Antigonish to fulfill the growing demand in the community.

Adrian Van de Sande, the chief of the Antigonish County Volunteer Fire Department tells us it’s exciting that the building is now well on its way.

“It’s not an idea on pen and paper anymore,” says Van de Sande. “We’ve acquired the land, we’ve cleared the land, we’ve put our gravel pads in.”

He says they have also purchased some equipment.

What is it?

The Antigonish Area Fire and Rescue Training Centre will be in the Industrial Park in the Lower South River.

The idea came from seeing a need in fire service which now ranges from fighting fires to ice rescues and medical calls.

”Firefighter access to realistic training opportunities is limited to us right now and have been for awhile,” says Van de Sande.

Firefighters will be able to get their level one training, which usually takes about eight months, but it will also give firefighters and junior members and all emergency responders a place to train, learn and build skills close to home.

“When you call 911, you want the best to show up. That’s what we’re working towards. Everybody to have standardized training. Very high-quality training,” explains Van de Sande.

The new facility will also be much cheaper than the school in Halifax.

“It would cost us close to $2,500 per person to go, plus travel, plus rooms,” explains Van de Sande. “They can come to Antigonish and the whole department may be charged $250.”

Fundraising

The facility is going to cost just over $1 million.

So, Van de Sande says, they’ve received about $250 but will look to the community to help get the $750,000 needed with a “very large” fundraising campaign.

“We’ve been slowly working on it the last month or so, but it’s really going to take a kickoff as the summer rolls on,” adds Van de Sande.

He says there are nine chiefs working together on it. So, “it’s a huge thing.”

There will be an open house on June 20 at the Antigonish County Volunteer Fire Department on Beach Hill Road from 12-4 p.m.

a yellow sign on the ground

Bay Street construction delays will hopefully reduce

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Traffic delays will hopefully be minimized to 10 to 15 minutes on Bay Street in Antigonish.

That’s according to Mayor Sean Cameron who’s hoping the roadwork will be done by the end of next week after water and sewer infrastructure were updated last fall.

This follows major delays of up to an hour yesterday when a car stalled and during shift changes at the hospital, according to Cameron.

He tells our newsroom staff are notifying traffic control whenever there are holdups in either direction.

“The night work is now completed. The type of work they’re doing now involves asphalt and concrete, and unfortunately, those plants are only open during the day, so it’s necessary to do that work during the day,” he shares.

Cameron says he’s hoping all the roadwork can wrap up in the area by the end of next week.

Yellow worker helmet on floor beside motionless construction worker

Stalled vehicle causes longer delays in Bay Street Project

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If you were stuck in traffic Wednesday due to the Bay Street Project, you might have waited a little longer than usual.

The Town of Antigonish says, a stalled vehicle in the construction zone required towing and really slowed things down.

“We know this created real frustration for people trying to get where they needed to be, and we’re sorry for the inconvenience it caused,” says the Town in a Facebook post.

The Town says, as work continues over the coming weeks, there will be days when traffic is slow and getting around will be harder than usual.

“These disruptions are never easy, and we understand the impact they have on daily routines.”

The Bay Street Project is replacing water and sewer lines to support future growth and is happening in phases.

Late last fall it caused significant traffic delays and cost certain businesses thousands of dollars.

To mitigate traffic woes entering the second phase of the project, the Town did some work in the overnight hours but is now back to working during the day.

The Town asks for patience as they work to finish the project.

Orange sign reads 'be prepared to stop' on grass

Bay Street roadwork during the day upcoming in Antigonish

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Drivers, get ready for traffic delays as the Bay Street Project moves to daytime work this week.

The Town of Antigonish says there will be controlled stop and go traffic from Wednesday, May 20 to Friday, May 22 between 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.

They ask that you be mindful of work crews and equipment when traveling through the area.

Last fall, roadwork on Bay Street caused havoc with major delays and frustration.

Mayor Sean Cameron said the work started last year to replace water and sewer infrastructure to support the growth in the area.

The Town apologies in advance for any inconveniences and appreciates your patience as work is finished on this project.

You can find updates on their Facebook and website as the work progresses.

hearing loop

Library introduces ways to help people hear better

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Hearing has become more accessible at a local library.

Three hearing loops are now available for use at The People’s Place: Antigonish Town and County Library’s workstations at their circulation desk.

Branch manager, Kristel Fleuren-Hunter shared with us that people can connect their Bluetooth hearing aids or use a handheld receiver, like an old telephone, to amplify sound.

“We’re always trying to make sure our services are available for everybody. We’ve been actively working on improving our accessibility in many different areas. We just don’t want to see folks being left out,” expressed Fleuren-Hunter.

“Hearing loss is pretty serious and it can have a lot of impact on folks in terms of including sort of impacting social isolation, if you can’t hear and you can’t participate fully in programs. So, we’re just hoping that this helps folks out a bit and makes the library just a little more friendly and accessible.”

She says these hearing devices make staff voices crisper and clearer for people with hearing loss or whose first language is not English.

Accessible Hearing Solutions installed the hearing loops, along with mobile hearing equipment in the library’s community room which will help make programs more accessible.

The library received funding for this equipment from the Government of Canada’s Enabling Accessibility Fund.

Hearing loops are also available for use at the Pictou Library.

McHappyDay5

McHappy Day aims to buy medical equipment for local hospital

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Mark your calendar for McDonald’s McHappy Day on Wednesday.

On that day, you can contribute to the cause by purchasing any food items and branded merchandise or making a donation.

Independent franchisee Wayne Kennerknecht says the greatest feeling you could ever have is helping critically sick and injured children, like his own son.

He shares with us that proceeds from the Port Hawkesbury and Antigonish locations will go to St. Martha’s Regional Hospital to help make care local, so patients don’t have to travel to Halifax or Sydney.

“We are buying vital equipment to keep patients from having to travel to other parts of the province in order to get their care taken up. The more that we can do in St. Martha’s, the better it’s going to be,” Kennerknecht states.

He’s set the goal to raise $18,000 towards a bilirubin monitor to help diagnose and manage jaundice for newborn babies.

“I just hope that we get as many people as possible coming into Port Hawkesbury and Antigonish and support that regional hospital and our goal again is to buy specialized equipment that the government will not sponsor that can save lives,” Kennerknecht expressed.

He says McHappy Day is a great cause, and you just never know, someday you might be the one that’s using that medical equipment that they’re purchasing.

A road work ahead sign laying on the ground

Roadwork continues on Bay Street in Antigonish

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The Town of Antigonish is letting drivers know in advance that the construction on the Bay Street Project is continuing.

The work is happening at the east end of Main Street starting on the evening of Sunday, May 3 and going until the morning of Friday, May 8.

There will be traffic control in place from 6 p.m. until 7 a.m. while the roadwork is happening.

Mayor Sean Cameron says the work started last year to replace water and sewer infrastructure to support the growth in the area.

After daytime roadwork caused chaos last fall, the Town is keeping this roadwork to evenings and overnight.

They apologize for any inconvenience and appreciate everyone’s patience as they finish this project.

cigarettes`

Man, 18, charged after Antigonish traffic stop finds 1.6M unstamped cigarettes

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An 18-year-old man is facing charges after about 1.6 million unstamped cigarettes were found during a traffic stop on Highway 104.

RCMP say it was late afternoon Sunday when officers learned a U-Haul truck was veering in and out of its driving lane near Havre Boucher.

After they stopped the vehicle, they seized 160 cases of the cigarettes and arrested the driver.

He is expected to be in court at a later date facing charges under the Excise Act and the Nova Scotia Revenue Act.

The Nova Scotia Alcohol, Gaming, Fuel and Tobacco Division has been engaged and is assisting with the ongoing investigation.

Volunteers

Nominate a Volunteer of the Year from the Town of Antigonish

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Do you know any volunteers from the Town of Antigonish who make a difference?

The Town says nominations are open until May 6 for Volunteer of the Year.

There’s also a Youth Volunteer of the Year for someone between 13 and 24-years-old (as of July 1, 2026) who lends a helping hand.

The online nomination form says nominees must live in the Town of Antigonish who made a significant contribution as a volunteer.

The Volunteer of the Year Nominees must have volunteered for at least two years and displayed strong leadership abilities.

If selected as a winner, anyone 25-years-old or older must be willing to accept public recognition for the award.

You can make your nomination for Volunteer of the Year and Youth Volunteer of the Year here.

antigonish town hall

Council approves Antigonish capital budget of $19.5M

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A capital budget of $19.5 million has been approved by Antigonish Town Council for the 2026/27 fiscal year.

In a news release, the Town says included are key capital projects that focus on infrastructure, upgrades to accessibility, safety and recreation.

Included in the total, was $7 million from other sources such as Antigonish County, the province and federal government.

Major projects include building new production wells to become less reliant on the James River Dam as well as a $5.4 million upgrade to the sewage treatment plant including a new screener.

“This year’s upgrade to our Sewer Treatment Plant is one of the most important investments we’re making in the town’s future,” says Mayor Sean Cameron. “These improvements ensure our system can reliably serve residents for decades to come, and I’m proud to see this work moving forward.”

Road and utility projects will also get funding such as the Bay Street project, West Street and sidewalk upgrades to meet accessibility standards.

The Town also has approved a plan for growth and improving access to St. Martha’s Regional Hospital as well as a new pumper truck for the Antigonish Fire Department.

Cameron says it is about finishing what was started while planning for future projects.

“When considering this capital budget, Council worked hard to balance the significant work that needs to be done, with the need to protect our capital reserves, and I’m pleased that we’re able to move forward on major projects without draining those funds,” says Cameron.

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