Province seeking proposals to develop Borden-Carleton fabrication yard - Action News
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PEI

Province seeking proposals to develop Borden-Carleton fabrication yard

The former fabrication yard has sat dormant since the Confederation Bridge between Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick was completed in 1997.

Government says it will be accepting proposals for 90 days, until Nov. 13

Aerial view of the Borden-Carleton fabrication yard
The Borden-Carleton fabrication yard has sat vacant for more than 20 years. (Shane Hennesey/CBC)

The government of P.E.I. has begun accepting proposals from private-sector players looking to redevelop the former Confederation Bridge fabrication yard.

Innovation P.E.I., which owns the land, is working in partnership with the Town of Borden-Carleton to develop the property a process that Mayor Randy Ahearn calls"very important" to the town.

"It's going to shape our future, I think, one way or another," Ahearn told CBC News.

The province is using a competitive request for proposal (RFP) process to sort ideas based on a number of criteria. Thoseincludewho's on the development team, how much access the parties have to financing, and whetherthe application aligns with the community's vision for the land.

"It is important for us to work collaboratively and in partnership with the Town of Borden-Carleton to make sure this project is a success and to make sure it fits in the confines of what they need," said Gilles Arsenault, P.E.I.'s economic development minister.

A man in a blue and grey suit with a black tie speaking into a microphone.
P.E.I. Economic Development Minister Gilles Arsenault says all options are on the table for the development of the former Confederation Bridge fabrication yard in Borden-Carleton. (Kerry Campbell/CBC)

The former fabrication yard has been dormant since the Confederation Bridge to New Brunswick was completed in 1997. The province began cleaning up the site in 2022, given that it was still littered with slabs of concrete and rebar left over from the construction.

There has been some criticism that the process to redevelop the property has moved too slowly, but the minister said the province and the town are not going to be "rushed" into accepting any one plan.

"We want to make sure that we have the process in place," said Arsenault. "We have a very fair and transparent opportunity for everybody here and we didn't want to be sidelined by anybody, or any groups."

To ensure the process is thorough, the minister said theprovince has extended the RFP application process to 90 days, triple the usual 30 days. The deadline is Nov.13at 2p.m.

"We want to make sure people have ample opportunity to apply," said Arsenault.

The fabrication yard in Borden-Carleton, photographed Dec. 21, 2021.
The fabrication yard in Borden-Carleton, photographed Dec. 21, 2021. (Brian Higgins/CBC)

Ahearnalso said it was important for the process to be carried out correctly.

"It's been a while, but we are working in the right direction," he said. "I think this will be very important for us."

Building a new golf course could be among the options for the site. Last fall, a local developer proposed the land be developed into a links-style course, an idea some town residents seemed to support.

When asked if a golf course might be a good fit, Ahearn says the town is "hoping for anything."

With files from Wayne Thibodeau