Another Hundred Years of the Amherst Train Station
- Details
Access CTV Atlantic's recent story on our train station here: N.S. town’s historic train station sold privately, building preserved
* * *
Jeff Bembridge is an Amherst entrepreneur who is also a passionate rehabilitator of historic properties.
“I like buying old buildings because they have a soul and I like to fix them up, because I think people need memories,” explained Bembridge. “When I buy a building, one of the first things I do is I go in the basement by myself and I talk to the building; I explain ‘We’re going to help each other here – I’m going to revive you – we’re going to succeed together.’”
One of Bembridge’s most recent acquisitions was the Amherst Train Station, which was the result of a years-long process.
When the intercolonial railway came to Amherst in the 1870s a station was built to serve the community on this critical new transportation corridor. By the end of the 19th century, Amherst had transformed into a major industrial hub and a new train station was required to meet the demands of transporting goods and passengers, as well as to better represent the role of “Busy Amherst” in the provincial and national economies.
“Our current, grand sandstone train station was constructed in 1909, and was one of the largest to be built in the province,” said Amherst Mayor David Kogon. “In the 100 years after the station’s construction, the way that rail service was used in Nova Scotia changed a great deal – particularly passenger service – and there came a point that VIA Rail chose to divest itself of the Amherst Train Station.”
After years of negotiations, a deal was finalized in 2019 that saw the Town take ownership of the structure, while VIA remained as a tenant with access to a passenger waiting area.
Free Ice Time Equals Positive Spin-Offs for Amherst
- Details
The 27th Annual Atlantic Challenge Cup kicks-off today in Moncton, with gameplay through to Sunday night. This popular tournament brings together the top players from New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland and Labrador in the male U-14 and U-15, and female U-14 and U-16 categories. More than 400 players, staff, and officials take part in this event every year.
Amherst’s location means that a number of Newfoundland and Labrador participants travel through our area after landing in Halifax and driving to Moncton. We reached out to the U-14 and U-16 female teams and extended a warm Amherst welcome.
Because these players live in every corner of Newfoundland and Labrador, they rarely (if ever) have an opportunity to practice together. They were provided with free ice time at the Amherst Stadium this past Wednesday and Thursday nights, to practice all under the same roof before the start of the tournament.
New Initiative Paying Rent for Amherst Food Bank
- Details
The Amherst Food Bank serves more than 350 clients a month from their King Street location. The facility from which they operate plays a critical role in the service they provide, and the monthly rent comes in at $1,800.
A local initiative aims to pay the food bank's rent every month through $10 community donations, and so far it's been a big success. For more information please see a recent story by CTV News Atlantic.
Jeff Marshall and Charlotte Ross in the Amherst Food Bank (CTV Atlantic)
Town of Amherst Helping Build Brighter Futures for NSCC Students
- Details
This is always an exciting time of year. School is back in session with students in classrooms across the province, including at our very own Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC) Amherst Learning Centre.
“We’re so fortunate to have the Nova Scotia Community College as part of our educational landscape,” said David Kogon, Mayor of the Town of Amherst. “This is an institution that prepares a great many students every year to work in industries vital to the success of our town, and our province as a whole.”
Post-secondary education can be life-changing, but not everyone can access college programs due to the costs involved.
In 2018, the Town of Amherst established the “Town of Amherst Community Award” through the NSCC Foundation’s Make Way Campaign. This five-year commitment provided $100,000 to the campaign, which helped 50 students, each receiving a $2,000 award.
Recipients of the award were selected based on financial need, academic standing, and the fact that they were a resident of Amherst for at least a year prior to applying.
Outstanding Accomplishments at the Amherst Fire Department
- Details
Three members of our Amherst Fire Department are celebrating a number of outstanding accomplishments, all related to their service at the local, provincial, and national levels.
Chief Greg Jones – our Director of Fire Services – recently attended the Fire Rescue Canada conference in Montreal where he was re-elected to the Board of the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs as a Director at Large. During a special ceremony, Chief Jones was awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal for his work across multiple organizations to advance the field of fire services.
Deputy Fire Chief Brian Farrow was also awarded a King Charles III Coronation Medal, for his work related to co-chairing the Building Codes Committee of the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs.
Captain Bob Sperry – after years of study and effort – received his Executive Chief Fire Officer Aspire certification in Montreal. This certification is an acknowledgement of Bob’s professional conduct, training, education, and skills in a number of competencies required as a leader in today’s fire service, and it allows these competencies to be recognized across provinces, territories, and municipalities.
Congratulations Greg, Brian, and Bob on these fantastic honours and achievements.
Mayor and Councillors Welcome New Take-Out to Downtown
- Details
This is the story of The Dog Pound – that cute little yellow take-out that popped up on Church Street this summer – owned by Darrin and Sandra Baker.
Darrin grew up in Amherst but he eventually moved to Ontario where he worked for years in the construction industry. It was there that he met his wife, Sandra, and the two started their family together.
“We were in the market to buy a home and we were looking in Ontario, but it was way too expensive,” Darrin shared. “It was my wife’s idea (to move to Amherst) – she wasn’t born here, but I was. We were looking at houses down here and I saw a house for sale that I had history with – that I worked on in my early years. We bought it. It happened really quick.”
Although everything happened quickly, Darrin said it just felt like the right time to move back to Nova Scotia. That was four years ago.
“I decided to take up and drive cab,” Darrin said. “I got to know the area again and meet some people and decide what kind of business would be nice to see in town. Fast-forward three years; when I saw this building being painted and saw the ‘For Lease’ sign on it, my mind stated elevating to my life experiences and my imagination and cuisine.”
Darrin went ahead and pitched his idea for a take-out to the building’s owners, Casey Realty, and it was exactly the type of business they were looking for to fill the space. That was in October of 2023, and a lot of work took place in the months that followed, allowing Darrin and Sandra to open The Dog Pound back on June 30 of this year.
Mayor David Kogon was joined recently by members of Council to present Sandra and Darrin Baker with a
New Business Certificate, welcoming their new take-out restaurant - The Dog Pound - to downtown Amherst.
Side Netting at Amherst Stadium Comes Down
- Details
The Amherst Stadium has served our community for many years, undergoing renovations and changes at multiple points along the way.
Netting has been in place along the side seating areas since at least 2005, although it has never been a requirement. This material has aged and darkened over time, and it came to affect the viewing experience for those in the stands. The nets also negatively impact the video quality of televised events, and prevent audiences from participating in any activities where they are encouraged to toss items like stuffed toys or mittens onto the ice for community initiatives.
