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CBC
3 days ago
- General
- CBC
This N.B. industrial park was once a Second World War airfield
Social Sharing What is now an industrial park outside Moncton once played an important part in Canada's Second World War efforts. Scoudouc was an air base during the war, providing repair and housing to dozens of military aircraft. At the time, the base 17 kilometres northeast of downtown Moncton was one of the biggest airfields in Eastern Canada. Roadside History explorer James Upham says that in the 1940s, it would've been a "really dumb idea" to stand around what is now a remote industrial park. Scoudouc acted as a relief air base, taking the overflow — especially repair work — from RCAF Station Moncton, now the Greater Moncton airport. Aircraft would be flown to the base for maintenance before returning to service. Upham said some would arrive from Europe for repairs before they going back to duty. Among the planes that would've been found at the base was the Avro Lancaster. Upham calls the four-engine bomber plane one of the best aircraft of its day. During the war, Moncton was training thousands of pilots to fly, which could tie up runways if there were accidents. "If you have an aircraft that's pancaked on the runway in Moncton, all the firefighting crews are busy looking after that airplane," he said. "And if you try to land another airplane and it has a problem, that could be a massive issue. So you need a relief field." Scoudouc had large hangars used for repair work. "There were flights that were … going out over the ocean, you know, looking after convoys and those aircraft, too, needed to be fixed," Upham said. When the war in Europe came to an end, the Scoudouc airfield began adapting planes for the Pacific theatre, he said. But all the work was for nothing, he said. The planes that were likely being adapted for a warmer climate never left Scoudouc for combat with Japan. 'Bomber graveyard' The airfield that was once lively with military activity closed shortly a year or two after the Second World War ended in 1945. Upham said some local people believe the planes were steamrolled, although he has no proof of that. "Lots of people have heard here, allegedly, this is a bomber graveyard. If that's the case, I would be very interested to know." The Scoudouc Industrial Park that eventually was built on the site now hosts activity ranging from window manufacturing to an N.B. Power substation. There are still markings of the old air base, however, and though overgrown, the runway paths are still visible. One of the businesses in the industrial park is even using a building that was once an airplane hangar.
CTV News
25-06-2025
- Climate
- CTV News
‘Something has to be done': Advocacy group launches AC for All campaign
It wasn't quite as hot in the Greater Moncton area on Wednesday as it was the day before, but the heat did linger. The temperature hit 33.5 C on Tuesday, but it felt like 43 C with the humidex. Michelle Arsenault and her family went to the splash pad in Centennial Park a day after the first scorcher of the summer. 'I got off at ten o'clock and it was still super hot. I just went home and put my AC on,' said Arsenault. ACORN, an advocacy group for low to moderate-income people, held a rally in front of an apartment building on St. George Street during the lunch hour. The anti-poverty advocacy group launched its new 'AC for All' campaign which is calling on all levels of government to create programs that will ensure low-income families can have access to cooling their homes in an affordable manner. 'The world gets hotter every single year and it gets more and more difficult for low- and moderate-income people to just live, to exist in their homes without it being an active health risk,' said ACORN member Sawyer MacNaughton. The group would like to see barriers that prevent tenants from installing cooling devices in their units removed. Sera Chase lives in the building – has an AC unit – works just OK. 'Something needs to be done,' said ACORN member Sera Chase. 'The landlords, they own the building, they maintain the building, but we live in it, and we shouldn't be being baked alive.' Coalition for Seniors and Nursing Home Residents' Rights Executive Director, Cecile Cassista, said there are a lot of seniors that live without air conditioning. 'We encourage seniors to be mindful in the extreme heat. To drink lots of water, stay away from the sugar products, alcohol, because you dehydrate much quicker because you're on various levels of medication,' said Cassista. Cassista doesn't think seniors should have to pay to keep their homes cool. It should be provided by landlords or through government funding. 'I really don't support the concept that you know, 'You want it, you pay for it,' many seniors can't afford that,' said Cassista. For many young families, the best way to beat the heat on Wednesday was a trip to one of the city's pools or splash pads. 'You come to the water park, where it's nice and cool,' said Arsenault. Her granddaughter Hailey Arsenault had a unique way of beating Tuesday's extreme heat. 'I was at my boyfriend's house. His mom got a doggie pool, and we went in the doggie pool because the dog didn't want to go in it,' said Hailey. Temperatures in the Greater Moncton area are expected to drop over the coming days. ACORN rally Group pics are from ACORN rally in downtown Moncton Wednesday, June 25, 2025. (CTV Atlantic/ Derek Haggett) For more New Brunswick news, visit our dedicated provincial page.
CTV News
11-05-2025
- Sport
- CTV News
‘It's unfair to New Brunswick': Provincial volleyball champs denied a top spot in national championship
The 15UG Cyclones are pictured in an undated image. (Source: Alex Le) A volleyball team in New Brunswick is asking for an opportunity to play against the best teams in the country. The 15UG Cyclones represent the Greater Moncton Area in New Brunswick. They've gone undefeated since the season started in September, never losing a game – or even a set – on their way to winning the provincial championship. Last year they were the U14 national champions but this year the best they can hope for is a tier three finish in 17th place because of how the tournament is seeded by Volleyball Canada. 'Just New Brunswick as a whole, there was only a maximum amount of points that you could accumulate,' said Amy Clinch, the executive director of Club Cyclones Volleyball. Amy said it wasn't enough to compete against the top teams in the country. The Cyclones filed an appeal that was denied by Volleyball Canada which sent a letter explaining the seeding system. 'What they're not seeing is their rules and policies are very unfair,' Amy said. 'They're not just. It doesn't make sense that provincial champions for New Brunswick don't get to compete like the rest of the country does.' Volleyball Canada said its decision was data-driven in its response and 'removes subjectivity from the process'. It said final placement from preceding nationals, i.e. 2024, is not calculated in the current seeding procedure. Amy said she would like to see the data. Cyclones Volleyball The 14UG Cyclones volleyball team is pictured following the 2024 nationals. (Source: Amy Clinch) 'The only response that we have gotten so far is they take historical data of how provinces succeed at a previous nationals going back six to 10 years,' said John Clinch, head coach of the undefeated 15U Cyclones team. He said the system prevents New Brunswick from ranking in the higher tiers. 'We know we have a very talented team,' John said. 'We just wanted the chance to compete at the tier one and tier two level.' Volleyball Canada has used the seeding system for a long time, but John said it isn't right. 'It's unfair to New Brunswick,' he said. The Cyclones were dominant in their national tournament last year, winning every set, but they won't have a chance to defend their title at 15U. 'They've made it clear that they don't take that into consideration,' Amy said. Cyclones Volleyball The 15UG Cyclones are pictured in an undated photo. (Source: Amy Clinch) Even though the girls on the team were crushed by the news, Amy said they're fighting for something bigger now. She said they will set an example and try to make changes for New Brunswick volleyball in the future. John said the response is big on social media and there are clubs in other provinces who think the system is problematic. 'At least the provincial champions should get the opportunity to play in that top 32.' John said the team knows it may not be their time but they are focusing their attention on creating change. Amy said every province and territory should be represented at the top tier. 'That's why we call it a national, right?' Volleyball Canada said there are 312 teams participating in this age group from across the country, and said the Cyclones are 'still ranked well ahead of the majority of the teams in this category.' For more New Brunswick news, visit our dedicated provincial page.
