'This will be an excellent addition'

LOWER SACKVILLE - After some delay, Sackville will be getting a local Access Nova Scotia centre. Soon residents of Sackville and neighbouring communities will be able to register their cars, take drivers tests, and get their licenses without trekking to Dartmouth or Halifax. Construction is already underway at a site on Sackville Drive next to Terri's Place Bar. Originally scheduled for the summer of 2008, the centre is now expected to open its doors in February 2009.

"We are extremely happy to see the Access Nova Scotia office under construction and are grateful to MLA Barry Barnet for his efforts in making it happen," said Tara Hill, chairwoman of the Sackville Drive Business Association. "This will be an excellent addition to our business district."

The project is the culmination of a joint effort by the SDBA and the province even though it had humble beginnings. Barnet explained the project's genesis developed from a simple observation.

"The original idea came to me several years ago while I was sitting in the Halifax location waiting to be served and noticed many of the people around me were people I knew from Sackville," Barnet explained. "I was the Minister for Service Nova Scotia at the time and was aware that additional service capacity would be required in the near future. The government made a decision to move forward with a new site about three years ago and here we are."

During this time period, the SDBA wrote several letters to the Minister of Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations regarding the need for an Access Nova Scotia centre in Sackville.

"The business association kept in close contact with provincial government staff during the tender process and made commercial property owners in our business district aware of the opportunity to bid on the tender," SDBA executive administrator, Michelle Champniss explained. "We understand that Mr. Barnet was busy behind the scenes pushing for the Access Nova Scotia office in Sackville and are extremely grateful for his support."

Originally, plans were for the site to be located at the old Cobequid Multi-Service centre. However, due to the building's size and lack of other business partners, the idea was shelved. A new site had to be found. Further delays were due to unsuccessful attempts at making a deal to share the space with other levels of government. Barnet explained that, at present, only Access Nova Scotia services will be available.

According to the SDBA, having Access Nova Scotia in Sackville will be a tremendous benefit for the community.

"An Access Nova Scotia office will provide much-needed services to both businesses and residents of Sackville," explained Champniss. "An Access Nova Scotia office on Sackville Drive will also draw customers which will have economic spin-offs for the entire business district."

atoal@ns.sympatico.ca