Case related to Meductic Community Centre reno issues adjourned until June
Representatives for the Crown and the municipality of Lakeland Ridges appeared in Fredericton Provincial Court on Monday, May 25, for a first appearance following the municipality being charged under the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
Lakeland Ridges was represented by Dawson Harrison with Cox & Palmer. He asked the court for more time to review the case. The next appearance is set for Monday, June 15, at 9:30 p.m. in Fredericton Provincial Court.
In early May, two charges were laid under the Occupational Health and Safety Act for improper handling of asbestos during renovations at the Meductic Community Centre. Specifically, the municipality is accused of failing to adopt a code of practice for asbestos work and to take every reasonable precaution to ensure the health and safety of anyone using the facility. The charges stem from a 2025 project to relocate municipal offices from Canterbury to Meductic.
WorkSafeNB issued a stop-work order for the centre in August 2025 following a positive asbestos test in the building. While the renovations were initially expected to cost just under $30,000, the required specialized cleaning, air testing and consultant fees eventually doubled the total bill to nearly $60,000.
Despite the cost overruns and legal action, then-Lakeland Ridges Mayor Leonard Foster said the move was a council decision that intended to benefit the entire municipality.
(With files from Theresa Blackburn)
