News
Planning change will make Gordonstoun work in Upper Clements
Public participation part of process leading to international private school construction
The former theme park at Upper Clements in Annapolis County will be transformed into the first franchise of Gordonstoun Scotland, an international private boarding school. The first phase of the $62-million project is expected to be complete by September 2021 when 200 students will start school. Enrollment will rise to 600 by the end of the fourth year.By Lawrence Powell
For Annapolis County
ANNAPOLIS ROYAL, NS -- Gordonstoun Nova Scotia, the first franchise of the famed Scottish boarding school attended by British royalty, came a step closer to reality recently when municipal council passed a motion to start the process to amend its own municipal planning strategy and land use bylaw.
The move will re-orient the focus of the former Upper Clements Parks property from commercial recreation to broader combined commercial and institutional uses and amend the land use bylaw to include private and independent schools as a permitted use.
“We always knew that this was going to be necessary. It’s fairly common for municipalities, at the outset of a project, to acquire property that they know is going to have to have some sort of a land use amendment involved,” said Annapolis County Warden Timothy Habinski after council’s regular meeting July 21. “This initiates a statutory process that requires public participation every step of the way through. We don’t anticipate it being a particularly problematic process, but it certainly wasn’t a surprise to the municipality. It’s simply part of how we put the project into motion.”
Habinski said despite the excitement of the Gordonstoun project, it’s important that council go into public hearings with an open mind and truly listen to what residents have to say.
The Upper Clements Parks Society said that, until approached by Annapolis County, the Society could not finance much-needed upgrades, and were facing the necessity of selling the parks, or going bankrupt.
The popular theme park had been open for 31 seasons.
And on Aug. 5 council approved a contract that will get the development process rolling. It specifically spells out what developer E. A. Farren will do and describes what will be in the lease contract that is currently being developed.
COUNCILLOR MORRISON
“I think that Gordonstoun is one of the most exciting projects in the educational field to happen in the Province of Nova Scotia in recent decades,” said Alex Morrison, councillor for District 6 where the $62-million private school will be built. “I believe that, first of all, it will not only provide an economic boon to Annapolis County, it will attract students -- of high quality who are interested in learning in an international environment – to Nova Scotia.”
“Annapolis County is a rural area, and when I was president of the Pearson Peacekeeping Centre, I found that a rural area was excellent at integrating people from countries from all around the world, because we have our own positive atmosphere, we have citizens who are interested and who will cooperate with the school to ensure that the students not only learn their academic subjects, but learn about Nova Scotia and what makes us tick,” Morrison said.
He said the changes to the municipal planning strategy and land use bylaw are necessary and according to the county’s policies.
“It just means that we ensure our policies are in line with the use and the use is in line with our policies,” he said.
COVID COMPLICATIONS
Warden Habinski said CoVID -19 puts a spanner in the works when it comes to doing a public hearing or public meetings.
“We have to think very carefully about how and when we’ll actually be able to organize the public hearings to let this process move forward,” he said. “But we wanted to make sure that at least the motion of council was in place so the moment we had the ability to do so we could make the plans to host those meetings.”
Habinski recognizes some of the other limitations a global pandemic places on the project, especially disruption of supply chains and timelines.
“It just slows everything down. It doesn’t mean you’re not moving," he said.
GAME CHANGER
Like Morrison, Habinski sees the Gordonstoun project is a game changer for Annapolis County.
“We recognized its potential to be one right at the very beginning,” he said. “We’ve been consistent in our approach to this. We’re acting within the limits of our authority, but we’re determined to bring this school here because of what it means to the community. It means an influx of a significant amount of new revenue into our local economy. It means the creation of new jobs. It means exciting new opportunities for volunteerism. We believe it’s going to lift every sector of our community one way or another. It’s going to touch thousands of lives for the betterment of Annapolis County. We’re excited about that.”
SAFE PLACE
While the pandemic may slow some activities, Habinski said Nova Scotia is trending around the world for the very reason that it is a safe place.
“Canada is being recognized around the world, and Nova Scotia and Atlantic Canada are being recognized within Canada, as having some of the most forward thinking responses to CoVID-19 of any area in the western world,” said the warden. “Our rates of infection have been low. Our adherence to social distancing has been very, very strict and reliable from the beginning. I think that we’re going to see that the CoVID-19 panic will probably improve the business case for Gordonstoun to a certain extent because parents want safe places for their children to be raised in school.”
He said Nova Scotia is shining right now as an example of a province that has done things the correct way in order to ensure the safety of everyone from young people to senior citizens. “I think we’re a desirable place to live right now,” he said. “We’re certainly a desirable place for people to send their kids to be schooled.”
COMPLEX PROJECT
He described Gordonstoun as a large and complex process and that the project as a large complex project.
“We always realized there was going to be various hurdles and decision points we would have to reach in order to move through,” Habinski said. “We’re not wavering at all. We haven’t from the beginning. We were in the unfortunate position of not being able to speak to it publically for a long time because of a non-disclosure agreement, and what we’re able to say now even remains, to a certain extent, limited. But that doesn’t mean we’re not working. Our staff have been working diligently on this this file. Council has been updated regularly on this file. We’re going to move forward with the required processes. This is going to happen for Annapolis County.”
The school will be built in four phases with 200 students enrolling the first semester in 2021.
The contract approved Aug. 5 is the initial investment piece that draws the other investment, said County CAO John Ferguson.
“It’s important to know that the money the County is investing is being completely recovered in the lease agreement format,” he said. “We’re advancing money to build a building that we will own on municipal land, but we’re going to give indefeasible rights of use to Gordonstoun Nova Scotia, E. A. Farren Limited. There are fees that have to be recovered for that process and that’s going to cover the cost of our principal interest payments on the original $7.2 million.”
No other County money is being invested in the project, and the $7.2 million advanced by the municipality has to be recovered and payed back when Gordonstoun is in operation.
BACKGROUNDER BULLETS
- Gordonstoun Nova Scotia will be the first franchise of Gordonstoun Scotland.
- The school will be constructed on the 250-acre site of the former Upper Clements Parks.
- The international private school, when fully operational, will bring more than 600 students to Annapolis County annually.
- Students will be from Canada (1/3), the United States (1/3), and the rest of the world (1/3).
- The school will directly create 100 new jobs and another 150 indirectly.
- It is expected local businesses will prosper from Gordonstoun’s presence, new businesses will be established, and home sales will increase.
- The facilities will be of net zero energy construction.
- Economic impact would include wages annually of $6.5 million; operations expenditures (excluding food) of $5.9 million; and administrative expenditures of $594,000.
- Will provide approximately $13 million annually in wages under the Gordonstoun pay scales when in full enrollment of 600 students.
- Gordonstoun Nova Scotia, announced in December 2018, is expected to open in the autumn of 2021.
- In 2019 Gordonstoun announced a long-term, multi-school agreement to open Gordonstoun schools in China.
QUOTE
“From our first meeting, we have been struck by how everyone involved in this exciting project shares our commitment to growing the reach and impact of Gordonstoun’s educational values. Edward Farren and other members of the project team have visited Gordonstoun many times and we were also delighted to welcome Stephen McNeil, Premier of Nova Scotia (who was born in Annapolis County), to Gordonstoun.” -- Lisa Kerr, Principal of Gordonstoun, Scotland
Open Letter of Thanks to Fire Fighters
We have witnessed the versatility, determination, fortitude, and can-do attitude of our volunteer firefighters, and those from the Departments of Natural Resources and Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal. Over the past two weeks, they have spent countless hours – day and night – trying to bring forest fires under control. Many missed meals, sleep, work, and most importantly, time with their families. Their dedication is immeasurable; they are deeply committed to their service, the area they call home, and the people who live here.
Aircraft and pilots from neighbouring provinces readily came to our aid. Firefighters from other municipalities willingly back-filled for the stations at the fire front. All banded together to overcome this disaster, whether it be through efforts to extinguish the flames or by supporting those who were on the front line.
The outpouring of generosity has been overwhelming: businesses closed their doors to the public so they could prepare meals for fire fighters, individuals donated food and drink for them, and others gave freely of their time and talents to assist whenever and however they could.
On behalf of Municipal Council, I wish to express our sincere gratitude to the firefighters who “stepped up” and gave so much of themselves in order to keep us safe and to protect our forests. Your determination and perseverance is remarkable. We are so very proud of you.
I know the dedicated men and women who fought these fires so valiantly would want me to remind everyone while the fires have been contained, much work remains to be done. The travel ban and restrictions on activities in wooded areas continue on the mainland. Please observe the restrictions and help to give the firefighters a well-deserved break.
Yours truly,
Reginald C. Ritchie
Warden
NS Government: Disaster Financial Assistance for July 2024 Flash Flooding Damage
Old gathering places still the heart of small, rural communities
Round Hill couple finds gateway to their community through fun times at the local hall
By Lawrence Powell
For Annapolis County
ROUND HILL, NS – Linda Hulme Leahy remembers moving in to the house across from the community hall. She didn’t know then that the old wooden structure on the side of Highway 201 would come to mean so much to her and husband Miles.
Goldie Luckey and Linda Hulme Leahy in the kitchen of the Round Hill Hall. The hall will receive $2,400 from the Municipality of the County of Annapolis this year for much-needed work on the building. LAWRENCE POWELL PHOTO“We came here four years ago and moved almost right across the road from the building,” she said. “To us, when we moved to this community, it was our gateway into learning about the place.”
They found out just how enriching the old hall is for a community that has lost so many meeting places.
“We weren’t here when there was a school, a church, or anything else where people gathered – grocery store,” she said. “So this is it. It was our way to find out who actually lives here and why this building is so important.”
In fact the building has been significant in the community dating back to the late 1800s. And the Round Hill Hall Company was incorporated in 1889. Uses for the hall today are probably not dissimilar to the uses 131 years ago, and it’s always been about community.
“Over time we found people using it for very important family reasons, like funeral receptions, baby showers, wedding showers,” said Hulme Leahy. “Significant family things happen in this place. It’s a gathering place. When you see a potluck, people show up that you would never see because we’re so spread out all over the place here. When people come it’s their opportunity to catch up with their neighbours, see how much the kids have grown and, you know, really maintain a connection. If we didn’t have this building we would have no connections, or no opportunities for it.”
GRANT PROGRAM
The Round Hill Hall Company is one of three Annapolis County community hall groups receiving funds from the municipality to help with projects to upgrade facilities and grounds. Council approved the funds under the municipality’s Community Halls and Centres Assistance Program at a recent meeting.
The Tupperville Community Hall Association receives $1,200 to assist with the installation of four new windows and repair of a wall. The hall is a few kilometres up the highway from Round Hill and is another historic building at the heart of a community.
And on the Bay of Fundy, the Margaretsville Community Hall Society will receive $2,400 to help with roof repairs, purchase of new tables and chairs, landscaping, fencing, and replacement of the flag pole.
The funds for the Margaretsville hall are, in part, to assist with a $11,232 roof project. Although it’s been repaired several times it must now be replaced before further deterioration causes damage to the structure.
And the Round Hill Hall Company also gets $2,400 to help with several upgrades and renovations including a new oil tank, work on the roof, insulation, and door replacements.
Goldie Luckey, Round Hill Hall board treasurer, said they had hoped to buy heat pumps to save on costs, but priorities had to be shifted as such things as an expired oil tank, put that project on the back burner. Proposed work in 2020 includes switching out that oil tank, basement insulation, roof replacement, and back wall and basement door replacement – to the tune of $20,731.
Annapolis County has helped out with annual grants of $2,400 in the three previous years at Round Hill when work totaling $13,506 was completed.
WONDERFUL PEOPLE
Hulme Leahy, who is now the board secretary, has met some wonderful people because of the hall. Farmers and families that have been here for generations.
“People like that gave us the threads that weave the fabric of Round Hill,” she said. “If it weren’t for this building we would not have had that. We would likely have taken longer to learn what this community is all about.”
Miles Leahy is now the vice-chair of the hall board and is often seen fixing things, building things, or checking on things. He’s been amazed and humbled by the kindness and generosity of the community and the warm welcome they have received. So they’re giving back.
Annapolis County isn’t the only source of revenue for the Round Hill Hall. Hulme Leahy herself held a Facebook fundraiser that set a goal of $500 but raised $615 as of Aug. 28. And she sold zucchini at the end of her driveway and has brought in $70 so far.
“People really seem to like zucchini,” she said. “Some folks paid $10 and $20 for zucchini, more than the asking price of $2 each.”
TASTY FUNDRAISER
But the biggest and tastiest fundraiser is coming up next week.
“Local foodies Chantelle Webb and Chris and Shari-Lynn Williams are putting together a meal to auction off starting Aug. 31,” she said. “’A Labour of Love – a hyper local community fundraising feast’ invites people to bid on a delicious six course meal with ingredients donated from local sources, complete with wine and craft beer.”
She said the total package includes everything from smoked trout, cheeses, pickles, main course meals, and dessert – plus a gorgeous flower arrangement. It’s all delivered to the winning bidder’s door just in time for dinner on Sept. 5.
“It’ll be enough to feed six people and perfect for an end-of-summer celebration,” she said. “Chantelle and Shari-Lynn started a Facebook event and are posting updates on the meal details daily. And local businesses, farmers, and ordinary Joes have been contributing to the meal fundraiser with great generosity.”
Labour of Love Click Here
To view a list of Community Centres and Halls Click Here
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