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Irving Oil donates $3M to Saint John multiplex project

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Irving Oil is contributing $3-million to the Saint John multiplex expansion project, a donation organizers say will move the more than $70-million development closer to construction.

Irving Oil announced the donation Monday at the Irving Oil Field House, where Irving Oil president and CEO Jeff Matthews said the company is continuing its support for a project it first backed when the Field House opened in 2019.

“Today, representing all of Irving Oil, representing the Irving Oil family, I’m pleased to announce that we’ve agreed to donate $3-million to the next phase of this development,” Matthews said.

The contribution follows a previous $2-million donation from Irving Oil that secured naming rights for the Field House when it opened.

As part of the new agreement, Irving Oil will receive naming rights for the multiplex component of the facility.

Matthews also announced that the project’s two NHL-sized ice surfaces will be named after Arthur Irving and K.C. Irving.

“We’re further happy to announce that we’ve decided to honour the legacies of Mr. Irving and his father, K.C. Irving, in naming the two ice surfaces,” Matthews said.

The multiplex project will be built adjacent to the Irving Oil Field House and connected to the existing facility.

The addition will include two ice surfaces, a public library branch, child-care space, multipurpose community areas and other recreation amenities.

RELATED: Saint John moves ahead with $49M multi‑use facility on east side

Bill MacMackin said the latest contribution builds on a longstanding partnership between the project and Irving Oil.

“We always felt it was a great fit with Irving Oil. We have a wonderful working relationship through the development of the field house and the operations of it, and this just expands that significantly more,” MacMackin said.

MacMackin said the project has now secured about $51 million toward its overall funding goal, including Irving Oil’s latest contribution.

“We’re at about 51 million of the 70-ish that we need to have,” he said.

According to MacMackin, organizers have raised roughly 75 per cent of the funding required for the project and are continuing discussions with the provincial government and other potential funding partners.

He added that the organization hopes to complete final design work over the next year and begin construction around this time next year.

Matthews said the donation reflects Irving Oil’s long-standing commitment to Saint John and the surrounding region.

“We cannot have a strong business if we don’t have a strong community,” he said.

If funding plans remain on track, organizers hope the expanded facility will open in 2029.

alfred_stern_Irving_Oil

Irving Oil appoints new president and CEO

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Irving Oil has found its new president and CEO.

The company announced Monday that Alfred Stern will assume the role on Nov. 1.

In a statement on behalf of the board of directors, lead director Maureen Kempston Darkes said Stern will be responsible for leading Irving Oil’s strategy and stewarding the company’s growth.

“The board conducted an extensive global search to identify a leader with the experience, perspective and strategic capabilities needed to guide Irving Oil through its next chapter,” Darkes said.

Stern will join the company on Oct. 1 and assume his new roles on Nov. 1.

“I am honoured to join the Irving Oil team at such an important time in its history,” said Stern.

“For over a century, this company has been guided by its commitment to employees, customers, businesses and communities.”

Most recently, Stern has served as chairman of the executive board and CEO of OMV AG, one of Europe’s largest integrated energy, fuels and chemical companies with more than 20,000 employees.

He has more than 30 years of leadership experience in the energy sector in operations in North America, Asia, Europe and the Middle East.

He steps into the role being vacated by Jeff Matthews, who will retire on Nov. 1 after 32 years with Irving Oil.

Matthews has served as president and CEO since January 2025.

Irving

Irving Oil president and CEO Jeff Matthews retires

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Irving Oil president and CEO Jeff Matthews is retiring after less than two years in the position.

According to a press release Thursday, Matthews will retire on Nov.1, ending a more than 30-year career with Irving Oil.

The oil giant appointed Matthews president and CEO in January 2025, after he spent most of his career as Chief Business Development Officer.

His previous roles also include Chair of Irving Oil’s Executive Management Committee and Chief Financial Officer.

Lead director of Irving Oil’s board of directors Maureen Kempston-Darkes said in the release that Matthews’ leadership, integrity, and commitment to their employees, customers, and communities “have positioned the company for continued success.”

“On behalf of the board, I thank him for his service and wish him every success in retirement,” she said.

Matthews said in the release it was “a privilege” to have served as president and CEO of the company.

“I have had the opportunity to work alongside exceptional people, and I am proud of all that we have accomplished together,” he wrote.

After an extensive global search, Irving Oil’s board of directors has selected the company’s next president and CEO but will announce their appointment at a later date.

Irving Oil Refinery Saint John

Irving refinery to undergo $235M upgrade

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Irving Oil is investing $235 million dollars to upgrade and revamp its Saint John refinery.

The oil giant announced the upgrades on Monday in a press release and said the project, named Operation Osprey, will involve key infrastructure replacement, equipment upgrades, and a major revamp of its Residual Fluid Catalytic Cracking Unit (RFCCU).

The RFCCU is a core unit that converts heavy crude into fuels such as gasoline and diesel, using a specialized catalyst to break down complex hydrocarbons.

The upgrades are expected to begin in early September, with a planned two-and-a-half-month turnaround.

Irving Oil President and CEO Jeff Matthews said in the release that the investment in the refinery is essential to maintain safe and reliable operations, and to strengthen long-term energy security for the regions they serve.

“This project demonstrates our continued commitment to our business, our people and our customers,” added Matthews.

The project will also employ over 2,000 skilled workers from more than 55 contracting companies, primarily from communities across New Brunswick and the broader Atlantic region.

According to Irving, Operation Osprey marks one of the largest turnaround investments taking place at its Saint John refinery in the company’s history.

Irving said the influx of contract workers, representing 19 different trades including labourers, scaffolders, pipefitters, boilermakers, instrumentation techs, welders and bricklayers, is expected to generate more than $14 million in economic revenue in New Brunswick.

This includes spending on short-term accommodation, entertainment and recreation services, retail and other sectors.

Irving also estimates that the total workforce hours on the project represent the equivalent of more than 440 annualized jobs.

These upgrades come after two previous modernization projects announced and completed last year.

In those projects, the oil giant invested $100 million to update the refinery’s Fluid Catalytic Cracking unit, which produces products such as gasoline and diesel, as well as $40 million to upgrade refinery equipment and complete a comprehensive inspection of piping and key units.

Golden Ball building

Saint John’s iconic Golden Ball likely to be demolished

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An iconic piece of Saint John real estate is likely to face the wrecking ball in the near future.

The Golden Ball building at the corner of Union and Sydney streets was recently sold to J.D. Irving, Ltd.

A release from JDI confirmed the purchase of the building and property as part the company’s long-term planning for its corporate headquarters site.

But following an assessment of the building, it was deemed no longer suitable for use.

According to the release, JDI plans to remove the building.

An email from the City of Saint John confirmed an application for a demolition permit related to the site was received last week and is being reviewed.

“The Golden Ball is significant in our company’s history and we know the site carries memories for many people,” said JDI vice-president of communications Anne McInerney in a statement. “We’re disappointed the building is no longer viable and want to prevent it from falling into further disrepair.”

The site will be maintained as a green space while future possibilities are evaluated, but no decisions have been made about long-term use and no specific redevelopment projects are under consideration at this time.

The building opened as K.C. Irving’s Golden Ball garage in 1931, where the industrialist ran his Ford dealership.

By the 1950s, the building housed the head offices of several Irving companies. Until 2019, it was the headquarters of Irving Oil, Ltd.

Irving Oil vacated the building in 2019 to move into its new headquarters on King’s Square South, and it’s remained empty since.