Downtown centre takes shape as steel structure is erected

Moncton'snew $104-milliondowntown sports and entertainment centre is starting to take shape as workers push to meet a series of construction deadlines.

Isabelle LeBlanc, thedirector of communications for the City of Moncton, saidthe early spring allowed construction to start early on the $104 millionproject.

"We are now starting to see the steel structure come up and that's very interesting because finally we see some real movement," she said.

"We're starting to see people become excited with this because they can actually see things."

Construction details

LeBlanc explained that on an average day, there are about 40 construction workers on the site.At peak times, there will be 150 workers.

She saidthe exterior and interior foundations were completed on June 17.

"Towards the latter part of August,we'll start seeing some concrete bleachers come in as well. Following that will be the trusses. So we hope that that will be completed by November or December of this year," she said.

Oncethe trusses are installed, the bricks will be put downand the windows will be installed.

Work will begin on the interior in 2017.

LeBlancsaidthe project is on budget and on schedule.

Traffic concerns linger

The project has been surrounded by controversy since plans were announced in 2015.

Funding for the new sports and entertainment complexand parking downtown were amongthe major concerns for residents.

Robert Benotsaid heis concerned aboutaccessibility to the downtown core once the centre is opened.

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"I'm concerned for the traffic that it's going tocreate downtown. How easy it's going tobe to get in or get out" he said.

"I find that's very important after an event. Sometimes you can't wait to get away, but it could be complicated."

Other city residents are hopeful the new facility will be able to lurenew attractions to the city.

Emily McDonald said she hopes comicand gaming conventions will come to the city once the centre is complete.

"I'm kind of into the whole convention scene and I think it would really add to Moncton to give us more events and stuff instead of crowding the coliseum all the time so we have more places to do things," she said.