NEWS BRIEFS “Everywhere we say to people: 'You have to wash your hands to stop the spread of contagious diseases.' It's bizarre because in construction, no- body cared," he was quoted as saying. “For us, it's not a question of money, it's a question of respect. It means we'll be treated like humans," Ouellet said. He said the new washrooms will be in heated trailers equipped with water tanks and sinks. The change will be introduced grad- ually. Sites with more than 100 work- ers will replace the porta-potties over the next six months. Gradually, the new rules will be expanded to sites with 50 and then 25 workers. NEW BRUNSWICK Moncton receives funds boost for downtown entertainment centre The provincial government has an- nounced it is ready to contribute $21 million to Moncton's planned $107 mil- lion downtown entertainment centre, on the assumption that the federal gov- ernment will make a similar contribu- tion. (In pre-election mode, the Conser- vative government has indicated that it will be opening the taps on infrastruc- ture spending projects across the country.) The proposed downtown centre in- cludes a concert venue, NHL-sized rink and meeting space. There also will be outdoor areas to host community, cul- tural and entertainment events. NOVA SCOTIA Province invests $220 million in highway, bridge repairs The provincial government has an- nounced it is spending $220 million on highway funding for 2015-16, and a large proportion of the funds will be spent on bridge repairs. “We’re busy all year, summer time especially because that’s when the majority of your work starts getting done,” said Will Crocker, bridge main- CONSTRUCTION ACROSS CANADA tenance engineer with the Nova Scotia Department of Transportation and In- frastructure Renewal, told Global News. Officials say each bridge in the province is unique and can require dif- ferent repairs. “It can be cracking. It can be rusting of steel members, it can be deteriora- tion of timber, sometimes potholes on bridge decks. It's all related to the bridge,” Crocker told Global News. “We’re busy getting structural de- signs done. We’re already getting de- signs done for next year and the year after just so that we’re ahead of the game hopefully, so we can get projects tendered and awarded early in the sea- son to allow construction to complete during the best weather,” he said. PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND Summerside approves 64-unit apartment complex Summerside Council has approved a height variation and subdivision appli- cation for Conrok Development Inc. to build a four-storey, 64-unit apartment complex. “It would be a steel structure inside with concrete floors,” Conrok's Mark Gallant is quoted as saying in Daily Business Buzz. “We are looking at a very durable, very energy-efficient building for the long term.” Moncton-based Spitfire Designs has designed the structure. The sub- division of the 24-acre land parcel to create a 1.8 acre lot is the first phase in what is expected to be a four-phase construction project. “We will begin marketing and pro- vide more information going forward, 14 – July-August 2015 — The Canadian Design and Construction Report with signage going up on the property in the next few weeks,” said Gallant, who didn't provide the project's cost or indicate when construction would commence. NEWFOUNDLAND Corner Brook lays out the red carpet for new home builders Corner Brook has announced that it will waive both development fees and the first year's property taxes for new homes in the city. The incentives are expected to result in several thousand dollars in savings for each home. For contracting companies like Dis- covery Ridge, the incentives bode well for business, CBC news reports. “I think that makes a big difference, and that up front cost is the stuff that's out of your own pocket, that's not (in- cluded) in your mortgage,” CBC quoted project manager Trina Burden as say- ing. “Average permits last year were about $850, some were more, some were less. It's based on the square footage of the home. The average tax is somewhere in the vicinity of $2,000,” Mayor Charles Pender said. With additional savings on the re- moval of landscaping fees, the average savings for a new home compared to last year will be about $5,000, he said. Pomerleau awarded $21 million contract to build Harbour Grace arena The Newfoundland and Labrador government has recently announced it is investing $15 million in a new Har- bour Grace arena project, with the town to pay for the remainder of the costs. The construction contract with Pomerleau was signed on May 27, end- ing years of uncertainty about the proj- ect, which was first announced nearly four years ago.