Cumberland Regional Development Authority

If you are a newcomer to Cumberland County and need help settling in - Cumberland RDA can help!

The Newcomer Navigator Initiative offers a variety of services designed to help immigrants and other
newcomers adapt to their new home. Pick up a free copy of your “Newcomer’s Guide” by dropping into the Cumberland RDA office at 35 Church Street, Amherst. You can also view it online.

The comprehensive guide contains information on a variety of settlement supports and services including employers and employment searches; business opportunities and support for business development; connections to community networks and organizations; English-as-a-Second Language training; connections to appropriate regulatory bodies for professional credentials; and information
about schools and other community amenities and resources.

For more information contact Cumberland RDA Newcomer Navigation Amanda McInnis at 667-3638.

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A Consulting firm hired to identify the need and scope of a Sportsplex facility to serve Amherst and the surrounding areas has determined that a multi-purpose turf field with lights would meet the needs of Cumberland County residents and is strongly supported by the community. The Saint Mary’s University Business Development Centre was asked to complete the needs assessment by Cumberland RDA and the Cumberland Sportsplex Development Society.

Research was conducted through telephone and online surveys with 505 residents as well as focus groups and interviews with key stakeholders and existing Sportsplex facilities. The research was conducted between November 18^th and December 13^th, 2011.

In the needs assessment two variations of a Sportsplex facility surfaced – a multi-purpose field to accommodate various community activities, and secondly, a comprehensive indoor facility with a wide
range of activities similar to the Dartmouth Sportsplex and the Dundee sports dome in Moncton.

The results indicate that although a variety of sports show up, soccer and football are the top dominant sports listed to be included in a sports facility. The recommendation to develop multi-purpose outdoor turf fields with lights was initially based on usage, user needs, cost and time to implement.

The recommended next step is to conduct a feasibility study to determine the exact costs by engaging contractors to submit quotes for the work and to determine what funding is available to support the initiative.

Funding for the needs assessment was provided by the Nova Scotia Department of Economic and Rural Development and Tourism, Nova Scotia Health and Wellness, the Town of Amherst, the Municipality of the County of Cumberland and the Cumberland Sportsplex Development Society.