SDBC Newsletter July 2014 - Spryfield and District Business

Spryfield and District Business Commission
NEWSLETTER
July 2014
Spryfield and District Business Commission AGM and Awards
Night a Fun Sold Out Event
This year’s Spryfield and District
Business Commission (SDBC)
Annual General Meeting and
Awards Night was a sold out
event and an evening of fun, great
food and great networking was
had by all! Peter Polley, President
of Poly Corp., gave an insightful
presentation of Poly Corp.’s most
recent development in Spryfield,
“Long Lake Village” and outlined
several of their award winning
developments in Spryfield and
other parts of the Municipality.
Poll Corp. is also a partner with
the SDBC, The N. S. Dept. of
Natural Resources, our local
MLA Brendan Mcguire,
Councillor Stephen Adams and
Irene Swindells (left), Melville Heights administrator and past SDBC board member, is
many locale residents who are
presented The Jason Doherty Memorial Business Person of the Year Award
working on a project to make Long
Lake Provincial Park accessible to
the residents of Spryfield. (See Spryfield Residents Send Strong Message of Approval to N. S. Department of Natural
Resources, this issue). The Spryfield and District Business Commission is an incorporated non-profit society administered
by a volunteer Board of Director’s. Our mission is to advocate for the interests of local businesses in building a stronger
community here in Spryfield and the surrounding communities of the Sambro Loop. This is the second year the SDBC has
recognized some of the dedicated businesses, organizations and individuals in the area by presenting awards. This year’s
recipients are;
Business of the Year Award - Dual Properties Inc.
Small business of the Year Award – Pavia Café and Gallery
Volunteer Organization of the Year Award – Salvation Army
Volunteer of the Year Award – Peter Mowat
The Jason Doherty Memorial Business Person of the Year Award - Irene Swindells
We congratulate all of this year’s award winners and thank each and every one of our members for your support over the
past year. The SDBC looks forward to making Spryfield and our surrounding communities the best we can be long into
the future.
SDBC Newsletter-July 2014
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New Apartment Building Approved for Herring Cove Road
On June 10th, 2014 Halifax regional Council approved the development of a new 42 unit apartment building at 286/290
herring Cove Road.
This development in the heart of the business district is sure to attract many young professionals wishing to take
advantage of this prime location and the many amenities available in the surrounding area. With the Captain William Spry
Centre just down the street, numerous walking trails close by and the many retail outlets within walking distance,
including the Sobeys complex across the street, the Spryfield Mall within walking distance and the many businesses in
between, this is sure to be a popular location!
Perhaps one of the best features of the development is its location. Spryfield is fast becoming the “community of
choice” to live in because of its close proximity and easy access to all the other parts of the Municipality. Located on a
major bus route and with several road
accesses in and out of the area, you are only
minutes from downtown, can easily access
the major highways and within minutes can
be in any of the surrounding communities.
This attractive building, with underground
parking and large apartment units, fills in
what has long been a gap along the main
business district on the Herring Cove Road.
The Business Commission congratulates
Councillor Linda Mosher for supporting this
long overdue development and welcomes
this improvement to the area.
Building Design for 286/290 Herring Cove Road
SDBC to Host Fundraiser
Golf Tournament In Aid of
the Spryfield Boys and Girls
Club
The Spryfield and District Business Commission are
hosting a fundraiser golf tournament at Indian Lake Golf
Course on Thursday, August 21st, 2014. It will be a shot
gun start beginning at 2:00p.m. The entrance fee includes
dinner, green fees and there will be lots of prizes.
Proceeds from a putting challenge will go to the Spryfield
Boys and Girls Club. We are accepting 20 teams in the
tournament and we have already received several
entrance fees to the tournament. Don’t be disappointed,
call tournament co-chair, Eric Caines (477-6621) today to
reserve your spot for what will be a very fun, exciting
day of golf
Spryfield Village Harvest
Festival Taking Shape
Plans for the 2014 Spryfield Village Harvest Festival,
taking place from Thursday, September 18 – Sunday
September 21, 2014 are well under way and this year’s
Festival is shaping up to be a fun event for everyone.
The Grand Opening Ceremonies will take place
again at the Spryfield Urban Farm on Saturday,
September 20th, with many other activities and events
happening throughout Spryfield over the 4 day Festival.
From the Family Fun Day and Children’s Bike
Rodeo to the Antique Car Show to the Gospel Concert
or the Harvest Festival Dance there will be something
for everyone to enjoy. Many, many more events are
planned so mark your calendar now so you won’t miss
out on the fun and excitement!
If you or your organization is planning an event
during this time frame let us know and we will be
pleased to advertise it as part of the Festival. We also
welcome you to join the organizing committee or to
volunteer. Please contact us at [email protected] .
SDBC Newsletter-July 2014
Spryfield Residents Send Strong
Message of Approval to Nova Scotia
Department of Natural Resources
Long Lake Provincial Park
On Tuesday, June 10th, 2014 at a standing room only public meeting,
held at the Captain Spry Centre, organized by MLA Brendan Mcguire
and hosted by the Department of Natural Resources staff, residents of
Spryfield sent a strong message of support to the Nova Scotia
Department of Natural Resources that after some 30 years of planning it
is time to take action to make the Long Lake Provincial Park accessible
to the public.
MLA Mcguire and Councillor Stephen Adams have been
working with local developer Peter Polley of Poly Corp. and the
Spryfield and District Business Commission (SDBC) on a project that
would see a parking lot installed and trails developed in the Park across
from the new Long Lake Village sub-division on the North West Arm
Drive. Mr. Polley is footing the bill for the construction and the SDBC
has committed to operating and managing the site.
Dept. of Natural Resources staff not only received a strong
message of support for this project, they also were told in no uncertain
terms, that it is long overdue to provide facilities that will enable the
public to swim, canoe and kayak, picnic and hike in and around the Park.
Speaker after speaker spoke of how important it is to make these
recreational opportunities available to the community and surrounding
area.
This is a jewel right here in the heart of our community that we
have been denied the use of for many years. Stop planning and start
making it accessible, said one speaker.
The initial project will begin sometime in the next two months
and plans are to bring a committee of interested residents together to
develop further opportunities to make the Park more accessible to the
public and develop the necessary infrastructure to allow the public to
fully enjoy this Park.
For more information, contact Bruce Holland at [email protected]
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Fall Training
Courses Coming
The Spryfield and District Business
Commission in partnership with the
Nova Scotia Dept. of Labour and
Advanced Education has been offering
free training courses to the owners,
management and staff of local
businesses and volunteer organizations
over the past year. To date we have put
on two social media for beginners
courses, two advanced social media
courses, a course in communications and
leadership in the work place and one in
computers and computer programs.
All of these courses have been
well received and well attended. The
SDBC will be offering several more
courses this fall, but before we do we
thought we would ask you what courses
you would like to see offered?
The courses are one day/night a
week for 3 hours and run for eleven
weeks and are held at local venues. To
date we have used the Captain Spry
Community Centre, Metro Works and
the St. Paul’s Family Resource Centre.
The dollar value of these courses, if you
had to pay for them from a private
provider or at a public institution is
approximately $5000.00. This is your
chance to get it free.
The instructors are first rate and
the course material is very valuable to
today’s information technology world. If
you are someone who needs or wants to
be more knowledgeable in today’s
electronic world but haven’t had the
resources to learn, this is a tremendous
opportunity.
The next round of courses will
begin in late September, but before we
announce what they will be we want to
know from you what courses you would
like to see offered. Tell us by contacting
Bruce by e-mail at [email protected] or
by calling 452-7472.
SDBC Newsletter-July 2014
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.
Landscapers Excited to Take Up the Challenge
You may have noticed some planter boxes popping up around Spryfield these days. That’s because the Spryfield and
District Business Commission has started a competition between local Landscaping Company’s as part of our
beautification program.
“The Challenge” for the Landscapers is to plant and care for one of these planter boxes over the summer and into the fall
to make it as attractive and imaginative as possible. I have come to find out that these Landscapers are very competitive
and you can expect to see some great planters as the Challenge moves on.
“The Landscapers” are six local landscaping companies that have taken up the challenge and are rev’d up to make their
planter the best. Read about the companies competing below and see their current displays on the following page.
Dan’s Tree and Landscaping
Service has a particularly
challenging site at the “Welcome to
Spryfield” sign on the Williams Lake
Road. The sign is located atop a rock
cliff and will take a vivid imagination
to make it an attractive site. Dan’s
Tree and Landscaping Service is a
locally owned and operated company
established in 1990 by Purcell’s Cove
native Daniel Keenan. The company
is a full service company specializing
in tree removal and various other tree
and brush services. Daniel’s love of
climbing brought the business to life
and he prides himself in complete
customer satisfaction.
Landworks Property services Ltd.
has the planter box at St. Michael’s
Church on the Herring Cove Road.
Landworks is a seasoned,
experienced company having started
in 2001 by owner/operator, Chris
Driscoll, they have become a familiar
reputable company in the
community. The company provides
year round full time employment
both in summer construction and
property maintenance and winter
snow removal. While Landworks
focus has been on excavation and
landscape construction they have
expanded to include asphalt paving
and concrete work.
R. Rolls Yard Maintenance will be
caring for the planter box at the
“Welcome to Spryfield” sign location
near Ace Lumbermart coming in
from Herring Cove. The company is
owned and operated by Randy Rolls
and he and his wife have been
operating the company for the last
three years. Their client base has
steadily grown and they are now
specializing in raised gardens.
Green Roots Landscaping owned
and operated by Scott Reinhardt is
looking after the planter on the Old
Sambro Road just around the corner
from the Northwest Arm Drive traffic
lights. Green Roots Landscaping is
also involved in the snow removal
business and employs 4 people full
time in the summer and 12 people
during the winter months. Green
Roots strives for customer
satisfaction and although still a
young man Scott is a seasoned
professional when it comes to
business.
Blade Lawn Care Landscaping will
be caring for the SDBC planter box
located in the parking lot of City
Church on the Herring Cove Road.
Blade Lawn Care Landscaping has
been in business since 1993,
celebrating over 20 years of
professional quality landscaping
services from lawn and garden
maintenance to landscape
construction. Owner, Bruce
VanBuskirk, employs between 4 and
6 people and is proud to call
Spryfield his home base.
Duel Properties Inc. is caring for the
site at St. Paul’s Church on the
corner of the four way stop at Old
Sambro Road, Rockingstone Road
and Sussex St. the company is also
owned and operated by home grown
natives, Dave and Beth Walsh and
Chris Britton. The company started
out here in the community and has
grown to a full service residential and
commercial construction contracting
firm. They provide professional, high
quality results to their customers and
employ many workers from here in
the community. The company also
maintains a modern headquarters
here in the community and is truly a
local success story
.
SDBC Newsletter-July 2014
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Planter Box Gallery
R. Rolls Yard Maintenance
Landworks Property Services Ltd.
Green Roots Landscaping
Dan’s Tree and Landscaping Service
Dual Properties Inc.
Blade Lawn Care Landscaping
SDBC Newsletter-July 2014
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Spryfield and District Business Commission
Request for Proposals
Introduction
The Spryfield and District Business Commission (SDBC) is currently seeking proposals from qualified firms to
research and assist the SDBC in the development of both a short term (18 month) and long term (5 year)
strategic plan and to design and produce a marketing tool(s) that will be used to market the Spryfield/Sambro
Loop communities.
Background
The SDBC was formalized as a Business Improvement District (BID) in 2005 and has been instrumental in
working with its business members, local government (HRM), the Provincial and Federal governments to bring
improvements and programs to the BID and surrounding communities. The Spryfield BID is a geographic area
that starts at Cowie Hill and runs along the Herring Cove Road just beyond Dentith Road. The BID has over
150 Member Businesses and over 50 Associate Members (members outside the geographical area of the BID
wishing to be members).
Objective
The objective of this project is to:
- Create a comprehensive marketing plan and marketing tool (i.e.; brochure/DVD/other electronic tools)
to be used to promote Economic Development in the BID and surrounding communities.
- Identify strategic infrastructure projects needed to increase Economic Development and Tourism in the
BID and surrounding communities.
- Strengthen partnerships within the region.
- Develop a strategic plan specific to the BID to implement the development of identified infrastructure.
- Develop a strategic plan specific to the region to implement the development of identified infrastructure.
SDBC Newsletter-July 2014
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Scope of Work
The successful proponent will be required to complete the following work to achieve the necessary outcomes of
this project. (Proponents making submissions to this RFP are expected to provide a work plan outline, including
timelines, with their submission):
- Research and provide comprehensive demographics of Spryfield and the surrounding region. Please
provide a list of specific information to be included.
- Create project specific questionnaires to be used in gathering information and input from BID members,
other groups and organizations and from the general public.
- Conduct a minimum of 6 Member focus groups seeking input to be used in formulating the outcomes.
- Conduct 2 public meetings seeking input from the general public.
- Develop and create Marketing Materials/Tools specific to increasing economic development and
promoting the BID and the Region.
- Develop and create comprehensive short term and long term strategic plans specific to the BID and the
region.
- Provide any and all maps, research materials, and other background information and material needed to
complete this project.
- Conduct, research and provide any additional information and materials that may be identified as being
necessary to the successful completion of this project.
Budget
Proponents are to provide a detailed breakdown of their budget/costs associated with the completion of this
project. Please ensure you provide as much detail as possible as this section will be given considerable weight
when proposals are evaluated. Include company profile and staff resumes/BIO’s.
Response Guidelines
Please respond to:
Spryfield and District Business Commission
Attention: Bruce Holland, Executive Director
Royal Bank Building, 339 Herring Cove Rd., Suite 211, Halifax, N.S., B3R 1V5
Closing date:
Submissions must be received by 12:00 p.m. on or before August 29, 2014 and include 6 copies of your
proposal.
Additional inquiries can be made by contacting Bruce Holland by e-mail at [email protected] or by telephone at
452-7472.
SDBC Newsletter-July 2014
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Chair’s Report from 2014 AGM
From SDBC Chairman Ryan Brennan
This past year saw the business commission continue to take the lead on several community initiatives. Our mission
statement is: “To advocate the interests of local businesses in building a stronger community.” To that end, we
undertook the following activities this past fiscal year:
1) Beautification, signage, flower baskets and Christmas Wreaths along the Herring Cove Road.
2) The Board met continuously through the year, including a Public Board Meeting – held in March 2013.
3) Spryfield Harvest Festival – held over three weekends in September of 2013 all across Spryfield. August 2013 at
the Briarwood Golf Course, where there was a day of free golfing and events for the community sponsored by our
local businesses.
4) The Spryfield Santa Claus Parade – last year marked the 40th year of the parade and it was our biggest yet. I’d
like to take this opportunity to thank those who worked on the parade with the business commission, namely the
committee co-chairs Gina Gray and Mike.
5) The Spryfield Business Commission Festive Dinner, held in late November where our members get together and
eat Sambro lobster. A great get together to kick off the holiday season and sold out once again.
6) Participation in Sambro Days with members of the Board serving as volunteer bartenders.
7) The creation of the new Business Commission website.
8) Creation of a new marketing brochure for the SDBC. The intent with this document is to demonstrate the
positives and some of the beauty of our area for residents and businesses looking at our area as a place to relocate.
9) Working with our elected representatives and Polycorp in the hopes of establishing a community park at the
Spryfield side of the Long Lake Provincial Park. This endeavour is a demonstration of what happens when a
community, its elected leaders and business leaders work together for the benefit of the community. Once all the
work is completed, there would be a parking area established at the Long Lake Park, with lead in to the trails
surrounding the Lake. There is a hope that this would allow for the residents to use the park more fully and take
advantage of this beautiful provincial park sitting right in the heart of our area.
As you can see, the Business Commission has been active this past year. We tell you this because you are our members.
We are accountable to you. For the coming year, we will continue with our standard programming and work – of note
however are the following events:
1) We are the lead organization in partnership with numerous community organizations to put on the Spryfield
Harvest Festival event, scheduled for Fall of 2014. This will be the second annual event and will host a multitude
of events for kids of all ages.
2) To continue our work with the Spryfield Santa Claus Parade;
3) Working with others in the community to establish the community parking area at the Long Lake Provincial Park;
4) To continue with the networking sessions as we have had in the past. It is a good way of interacting with people
and to get out the word of what we are doing.
5) Advocacy and meeting. We will continue to represent and advocate on behalf of our member businesses.
So in the coming year, we will be active to push this agenda forward. Having grown up here I can tell you that the area is
in the midst of substantial change. Developers have turned their view to our area. They are realizing what we have known
for years. This is a great place to live and do business. This, combined with a change in our public discourse in this
province through things such as the Ivany Report, we as a business community need to continue to push as community
leaders. We in the Spryfield Business Community need to ensure that we find a way to remain part of the discussion so
that we all move forward together. We look forward to the coming year working with you all. Thanks.
SDBC Newsletter-July 2014
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