SHEET HARBOUR — After nearly a decade of planning, persistence and community advocacy, local residents gathered July 12, to mark the long-anticipated start of construction on the Eastern Shore Lifestyle Centre (ESLC) – which will also house the new Halifax Regional Fire and Emergency Station 28 – in Sheet Harbour.
The sod-turning took place on the grounds of the existing fire hall. Due to space limitations, attendance at the ceremony was restricted. However, a postcard invitation was sent to 1,535 homes along the Eastern Shore, inviting residents to a free luncheon hosted by the Sheet Harbour Lions Club at the nearby Masonic Hall.
“There was a jovial atmosphere,” said Janice Christie, chair of the ESLC committee, noting about 100 guests attended the event.
The new 21,000-square-foot centre will include a public library, a fitness centre, a commercial-grade community kitchen, a multipurpose event space and the replacement fire station. Designed to serve as a regional hub, the facility will feature a modern, low-profile architectural style that reflects both functionality and the rural character of the Eastern Shore.
The ceremony began with a traditional smudging by Shelly Falkenham and Carla Asprey of Millbrook First Nation, who blessed the land, guests and dignitaries.
“Carla read a moving smudging prayer while Shelly used an eagle feather to wave smoke from burning sage on to the soil and then the guests,” Christie said. After the shovels came out, the women scattered tobacco on the ground.
“We laid a tobacco offering,” said Falkenham. “When we take from Mother Earth, we offer tobacco to give back.”
David Hoskins, ESLC board member, called the First Nations blessing “an amazing way to start the event,” adding, “Now, it feels like we are in the starting position–at last–after a long haul.”
Tom McInnis, the ESLC board chair, emceed the celebration. He welcomed Central Nova MP Sean Fraser, Eastern Shore MLA Kent Smith, who brought greetings on behalf of Premier Tim Houston; and District 2 Councillor David Hendsbee, who also represented Halifax Regional Municipality Mayor Andy Fillmore.
McInnis also thanked Project Manager Kate MacLean, who is overseeing the build on behalf of HRM and working closely with the builder, Avondale Construction, along with municipal staff and ESLC members.
“The new facility is a showcase in rural communities for future economic development stabilizing our population,” McInnis said. “It was conceived, planned and implemented by our board, our community and these people working with all three levels of government over the past number of years, which not only determined the need but the value to our communities and growth to our economy.”
He added that perseverance, community involvement and collaboration across all three levels of government have been a key to the project’s success.
Noting a common theme, Hendsbee said, “An investment of $34.3 million is quite an achievement. It adds to the other infrastructure investment, such as the new school, nursing home, common-user dock, East River bridge and sidewalks [and] has revitalized and transformed Sheet Harbour into a desirable place to work and live.”
Construction of the new fire hall – replacing the current Station 28 – is expected to begin this month. Once operational, the existing fire hall will be demolished and work on the ESLC will begin. The entire centre is scheduled for completion by June 2027.
Centrally located, the ESLC is “intended to be a hub for the [Eastern] Shore,” said Christie. She added, “I felt a sense of community pride as the event took place,” noting the community has supported the project since it was introduced in 2017.
“Residents have been patient as we have progressed through the process of applications to the levels of government for funding, planning and local fundraising … not to mention a pandemic.”
More than $200,000 has been raised locally to support amenities and enhancements not covered by government funding. Christie offered special thanks to McInnis “for lending his expertise and commitment” in leading the board to Saturday’s milestone.
“The board never wavered in their commitment to see it through to fruition,” she said.
