Paramount Fundraiser Attracts Hundreds

A shuttered uptown theater is one small step closer to being re-opened as a multi-purpose venue. Organizers says that the Night for the Paramount fundraiser last night was success. Local musicians played the benefit concert to save the building, which dates back to 1947.

Uptown Saint John General Manager Peter Asimakos telling CHSJ News that over 300 people came out to support the project. He tells us that lots of people are very curious to see where the project is headed, and that the crowd was very enthusiastic.

He says they raised about $7,500 dollars, and that it bodes well for making a positive move forward. The next step will be negotiating with the owner and getting support from the provincial and federal governments.

A decision will have to be made about the future of the building before the end of the month.

Winning Entries in Santa Claus Parade Announced

Saint John held its 59th Annual Santa Claus Parade yesterday evening.

The parade judges have also released their list of winners today--and Country 94 was among those who made the cut!

Winning Entries:

Best in Parade -- Simonds High School 
Best Commercial Entry -- 97.3 The Wave/ Country 94/ Commercial Properties
Best School -- Prince Charles  
Best Cheerleaders  -- Simonds High School  
Best Band -- 101 Moncton

Best Community Group -- Fundy National Park  

Chairperson’s Choice -- Enbridge Gas/United Way

Honorable Mentions: 

- Port City Dance Academy  
- Eastern College  
- Saint John Energy  
- Royal Taxi
- Atlantic Hockey Group 
- City of Saint John – Mayor’s float 

Potential Spinoffs From NS Shipbuilding Contract Big For NB

The Conference Board Of Canada predicts for every thousand dollars spent on procurement relating to the Irving Shipbuilding contract in Nova Scotia, about $11 will go into the New Brunswick economy.

Fred Bergman of the Atlantic Provinces Economic Council tells CHSJ News over the twenty-five years of the contract this Province could see $275 million in economic activity.

He says they may see even more than that if suppliers take advantage of a long term contract like this and develop relationships with Irving shipbuilding.

Bergman says outside Nova Scotia,  New Brunswick has the most suppliers for the combat vessel program with 8 contracts at 1 million dollars or more and 27 contracts at $100,000 or above.

Rothesay Residents Want More Recreation Space

Mayor Bill Bishop says Rothesay residents want more recreational options -- which is why the town forges ahead with its field house expansion onto the Rothesay Arena.

Bishop tells CHSJ News the project will compliment the qplex nicely since the Quispamsis facility is focused on providing ice time. 


The field house will allow for indoor basketball, soccer, tennis and a walking track.

There has been some opposition over the fact that two low-income apartment buildings will be knocked down to make way for the field house.

But the mayor says the impact will be small because most tenants are on a month-to-month lease and the turnover rate has been very high.

The apartments will be demolished and work on the field house will begin in a year or two.