Town Departments
Project Goal
Construction and operation of a financially feasible modern multi-purpose complex that includes an environmentally friendly, safe and inclusive facility that meets the needs of our citizens and partners by promoting community pride, healthy active lifestyles, and vibrancy that reflects community values and heritage.
Project Completion
Spring 2026
Project Background
The Town of Amherst, in partnership with the Municipality of the County of Cumberland, initiated a process to investigate the feasibility of a modern multi-purpose complex.
Amherst boasts great assets that accommodate community recreation and leisure needs, including the Amherst Stadium and Four Fathers Memorial Library. However, new needs and interests have been emerging as the population grows and becomes more diverse. The need for a community centre was identified in the Town’s 2016 Recreation Master Plan. It is also recognized that such a facility could serve residents throughout the broader Cumberland region.
Sierra Planning and Management is leading the study, along with DSRA Architecture.
Assessment of the feasibility of a new recreation facility serving all communities in the Cumberland region requires a clear process:
- Reviewing best practices – examples of similar facilities in comparable communities in Nova Scotia, Atlantic Canada, and nationally;
- Trends – the potential for innovations in design, programming, sustainability, and operations;
- Initial engagement – with user groups and stakeholders. Broader public consultation will occur as development concepts and options are identified;
- Understanding needs and interests – what amenities and programs are necessary to meet the desired needs and interests in the context of existing facilities and programs?
- Review by the public – once a defined plan for a new facility emerges.
Current Status
- Meet with potential stakeholders, particularly Cumberland County (Ongoing)
- Develop a high-level funding needs/costs impact document (Summer 2024)
- Meet with additional equity-deserving users/stakeholders (Summer 2024)
- Determine uses/users included (Summer 2024)
- Decision on "moving forward" (Summer 2024)
- Develop a plan for implementation (September 2024)
Project Contact
Andrew Fisher, Director, Planning & Strategic Initiatives, Town of Amherst
Phone: 902-664-6580
Email:
211 Nova Scotia is an information and referral service that will connect you with the most appropriate service to meet your needs. You can connect to social, health and community services by calling 211 on your phone or by visiting the website. This is a free, confidential and available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Addiction Services helps individuals, families and communities with problems created by the harmful use of alcohol, other drugs and gambling.
Adult offender diversion programs is a post-charge alternative to a court proceeding. This is an option when a minor criminal offence is committed by a person aged 18 or over, in the Province of Nova Scotia.
Adult Protection Services offers help and support for people age 16 or older who are abused or neglected and who cannot physically or mentally protect or care for themselves. If you know of an adult in need of protection, contact Adult Protection Services online, or by calling 1-800-225-7225.
Autumn House (Transition House Association of NS) offers services to women who have been abused by an intimate partner (husband, boyfriend, common law spouse, same-sex partner). Some of these services include shelter, counselling and information on abuse and its effects.
Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre is Canada's national anti-fraud call centre and central fraud data repository. Its purpose is to gather intelligence and receive complaints on mass marketing fraud, identity theft, deceptive marketing practices and telemarketing fraud.
Crime Stoppers Nova Scotia is a program that allows a member of the community to provide anonymous information about criminal activity. It allows the person to provide crime-solving assistance to the authorities without being directly involved in the investigation process. That person could also be eligible for a reward if the reported information results in an arrest and/or conviction.
Family Law N.S. offers information relating to the law, processes, and services that make up family law in Nova Scotia. This website will help you understand your family law issue and will provide the tools to allow you to navigate the options available to help solve your problem.
Kids Help Phone is a free, anonymous and confidential phone and online professional counselling service for youth. They are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
MADD - Mothers Against Drunk Driving is a charitable organization that is committed to stopping impaired driving and supporting the victims of this violent crime.
Red Cross improves the lives of vulnerable people by providing a wide range of assistance through health services, injury prevention (such as water safety and first aid), violence and abuse prevention, and by responding to and preparing for disasters.
Restorative Justice is a response to crime that focuses on restoring the losses suffered by victims and communities. It holds offenders accountable for the harm they have caused.
Senior Abuse provides information, referrals, and support to seniors. This is a place where people can call for information or simply talk to someone about their situation. The senior abuse phone line (1-877-833-3377) is available to anyone who has a concern about a situation of inappropriate or abusive behaviour affecting the well-being of an older person. All information you may share will be kept confidential.
Silent Witness Nova Scotia is a group of organizations and individuals working together to raise the voices of women who have lost their lives due to violence from their intimate partners.
Victim Services Nova Scotia offers a range of services to help victims of crime in Nova Scotia. They offer expertise, and policy advice and develop special initiatives in response to the needs and concerns of victims of crime.
Current Employment Opportunities
*Amherst Police Department will accept resumes and keep them on file for a period of 6 months*
Police Officer Prerequisites
You must:
- be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident at the time of application
- be 19 years of age
- hold a valid driver's license
- be a graduate of a recognized police training program
- have a grade 12 education (Academic Math and English or GED equivalent)
- be free of a criminal record
PROS training would be an asset.
Application Process
If you meet the pre-requisites, forward your resume and cover letter identifying any additional assets you may possess that would be an asset to APD along with copies (originals will not be returned) of the documents listed below to:
Amherst Police Department
21 Havelock Street
Amherst, Nova Scotia
B4H 0E5
Attention: Recruiting Officer
or via e-mail to the attention of the Chief of Police:
- Birth Certificate
- Driver's License
- Current Motor Vehicle Driver's Abstract (must be valid within 3 months of application deadline)
- Academic Grade 12 transcript
- Certificate from a police training program
- Valid standard first aid certificate
- Valid CPR Level "C" certificate
- Typing certificate from a recognized facility showing 25 words per minute in a 3- or 5-minute test
- Three letters of reference (professional)
Where do I get these certifications?
You or someone in your family should have copies of your birth certificate, academic Grade 12 transcript and your driver's license. You can apply for and get your driver's abstract by visiting any Access Nova Scotia office. There is a nominal charge for this service. If you live outside of Nova Scotia, you can visit your local Motor Vehicle Registry office.
St. John Ambulance, the Canadian Red Cross and the Life Saving Society offer Standard First Aid and CPR training. A placement agency or school can conduct a typing test.
Competition Process
Only applicants selected to take part in the competition process will be contacted.
Written Exam
Applicants must complete a written exam. The exam is designed to assess the applicant's knowledge in the area that relates directly to policing. This will include but not be limited to the Criminal Code, Other Federal Statutes, police tactics/procedures, and case law. No reference material will be available to the applicant when writing the exam.
Board Interview
The interview is designed to assess if the applicant possesses the competencies required to be a member of the Amherst Police Department. The interview consists of behavioural-based scenario questions. Behavioural questions require the candidate to provide specific examples from their life experience.
APD competencies are:
Knowledge & Abilities, Motivation/Conscientiousness, Personal Effectiveness, Interpersonal Skills/Teamwork, Common Sense/Judgement, Leadership, Integrity/Honesty/Impartiality, Sensitivity/Acceptance, Adaptability/ Flexibility, Communication Skills
Reference Checks/Security Clearances
Applicants will be investigated to determine if they are suited for a position with the Amherst Police Department. Applicants will be required to provide a list of professional references. The department will be speaking with previous employers, supervisors and co-workers, police and non-police. You will be required to sign a consent form that authorizes the Amherst Police Department to interview references.
Conditional Offer of Employment
The successful applicants will be provided a conditional offer of employment and will commence employment with the department. The continuation of employment with APD is dependent on the applicant completing all the requirements of the conditional offer of employment within the allotted time frames.
The conditions are:
Polygraph - A polygraph examination will be arranged by APD. The results of the polygraph examination must support that the applicant’s ethics and character are suitable to be a member of APD.
PARE Testing - Applicants must complete the Physical Abilities Requirement Evaluation. Not required if completed within the past 12 months. Documentation of proof required.
Financial Background/Credit Check - Applicant must provide a current Credit Report provided by Equifax or Trans Union.
Medical Exam - Applicants must successfully meet the standards of the Amherst Police Department, and the Province of Nova Scotia. The medical exam will be conducted by a physician designated by APD.
Eye Exam - Applicants must successfully meet the vision standards of APD as follows:
- Uncorrected Vision: (without eyewear and without squinting): 6/18 (20/60) in each eye, or 6/12 (20/40) in one eye and up to 6/30 (20/100) in the other.
- Corrected Vision: (with eyewear) 6/6 (20/20) in one eye and up to 6/9 (20/30) in the other.
- Colour Vision: must be normal (assessed on an individual basis). Visual Fields: must be normal.
- Laser Surgery: Candidates who have undergone Excimer Laser Photorefractive Keratectomy (P.R.K.) or Laser corrective surgery must provide written proof from a recognized optometrist confirming the following criteria:
- The visual acuity standards are met
- There are no corneal opacities, double vision, halo or glare problems
- Night vision has been tested and found to be normal
- The candidate has not undergone any laser or other corrective surgery for a full 3 months before the examination
Primary Residence - Police personnel must reside within 20 km of Amherst. A period of 12 months is provided for compliance with this condition.
Experienced Officers
APD does accept applications from experienced officers. The same hiring process is used for all applicants. If an experienced officer is hired, they may be eligible for a starting salary above Level 1 on the pay scale depending on the length and type of policing experience.
Amherst Police Department will accept resumes and keep them on file for a period of 6 months*
Current Openings
The Town of Amherst is currently seeking to hire a pdf casual, part-time police constable (168 KB) .
