Rothesay is receiving support from J.D Irving to develop its proposed community complex.
The town announced the $250,000 donation in a social media post on Wednesday.
In a statement, the forestry company said the Rothesay Intergenerational Community Complex (RICC) “will create a vibrant gathering place for residents of all ages to connect, stay active and build a stronger community together.”
JDI adds the investment is especially meaningful because it supports communities many of its employees call home.
The multi-purpose complex will cost the town $36 million to complete.
Rothesay is holding a fundraising campaign to meet its goal and has so far collected around $31 million in donations, including a combined $13 million from the provincial and federal governments, $16.32 million from the town, and an ongoing $3 million from its fundraising campaign.
Described as a major community development initiative, the complex will provide Rothesay and Quispamsis with a new arena with an indoor walking track, a multi-use facility with indoor courts for pickleball, basketball — among other sports — meeting rooms, and a connecting space with a community policing office, public café, and social gathering area.
The town broke ground on the project this spring and hopes to open it by 2029.
The Irving family announced that the co-CEO of J.D. Irving, Limited, passed away Tuesday morning in Moncton.
He was 71.
Irving had been battling cancer.
The second-oldest son of James K. Irving and Jean Irving, he ran JDI along with his older brother James D. Irving.
After graduating from Acadia University with a business degree, he established JDI’s Moncton operations in 1977 and called the city home.
A statement from JDI described Robert Irving as an innovative and tireless entrepreneur.
He established and grew successful businesses in several sectors, including paper products, food processing, agriculture and transportation.
He remained humble despite his accomplishments, always crediting the team for a job well done.
In recent years, he embraced a new chapter, working alongside three of his children in the business.
Another of his passions was hockey.
He founded the Moncton Wildcats Hockey Club in 1996, combining his love for sport and competition with his commitment to youth development and community.
He took great pride in the team’s three QMJHL championships (2006, 2010 and 2025) and in hosting the Memorial Cup in 2006.
He rarely missed a game, cheered enthusiastically and built lasting relationships with the players.
His cousin, John Irving, released a statement Tuesday afternoon. John Irving is the owner of Acadia Broadcasting, which owns these radio stations.
Statement from John Irving on the death of Robert K. Irving. PHOTO: Courtesy of Ocean Capital
Robert K. Irving once had a connection to the broadcasting world as well. In 1944, K.C. Irving purchased Saint John Publishing, which also included New Brunswick Broadcasting. They were incorporated under the name New Brunswick Publishing Company later that same year. In 1989, New Brunswick Broadcasting purchased Acadia Broadcasting Ltd. In 2001, the two merged operations, and two years later, they became just Acadia Broadcasting. In 2005, John Irving became the sole owner of Acadia Broadcasting.
Proud Canadian and New Brunswicker
Irving also had a strong commitment to his community.
He played a role in many health-care fundraising campaigns, most recently serving as campaign chair to build the Jean Elizabeth Saunders Irving Obstetrics and Newborn Care Unit at the Moncton Hospital.
He was an advocate for youth, education and literacy.
His support of a wide range of organizations made a lasting difference, and he received a number of New Brunswick’s highest honours.
These included:
Boys and Girls Club of Moncton’s Builder of Youth Lifetime Achievement Award (2011)
Paul Harris Fellow by the Rotary Clubs of Greater Moncton (2014)
The Literacy Coalition of New Brunswick’s Champion of Literacy Award (2016)
The Centennial Paul Harris Fellowship Award on the 100th anniversary of four Rotary Clubs (2020)
He was also a strong supporter of his wife Jill’s passion for equestrian sport and was awarded Equestrian Canada’s highest and most prestigious national honour, the Gold Medal, in 2025.
He was inducted into the New Brunswick Business Hall of Fame, the Canadian Agriculture Hall of Fame and the P.E.I. Business Hall of Fame.
He received the Order of Moncton and Order of New Brunswick in recognition of his community involvement, generosity and exceptional contributions to the province.
He’s survived by his wife Jill, daughters Megan, Meredith and Olivia, son Robert (RJ), grandchildren Warren, Sutton, Collins and Fraser, his brother James and sisters Mary-Jean and Judith, several cousins, nieces and nephews.
Left a lasting impact
“Robert was a dedicated leader whose work helped shape our economy and communities, and his legacy will continue through his business and through the lives he impacted,” New Brunswick Premier Susan Holt stated.
She added that he provided many New Brunswickers with good-paying jobs, supported community organizations and championed New Brunswick as a place to invest.
Funeral arrangements will be announced at a later date.
J.D. Irving, Limited said in a post on social media that a planned shutdown will begin during the April 11-12 weekend for the Saint John paper mill.
The industry giant will have 1,800 workers on site over the next two weeks to complete maintenance and upgrades that the facility needs.
Irving says the work will improve safety and reliability at the mill while providing opportunities for the contractors and tradespeople of greater Saint John.
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.
