- SJ Today
- Posts
- ☀️ SJ's Solar Secret Is Out
☀️ SJ's Solar Secret Is Out
SJ Today
June 18, 2025
Good morning Saint John! Nothing says early summer like late sunsets, BBQ smoke in the air, and my neighbourhood Facebook group losing it over nightly coyote sightings. Anyone else? 🐺
Here’s what we’re sniffing out this morning:
Solar farm planned for SJ 🔋
How’s the housing market these days? 📉
Cheering on the East Coast Games 🎽
Happy Hump Day!!
-Geoff Walsh, Publisher
SPONSORED
Make Your Mark! ✍️
Get your brand in front of eager eyes. Partner with us for prime advertising opportunities!
NEWS NOTES
☀️ Big Solar Energy News in Saint John
Saint John Energy just flipped the switch on the biggest solar announcement New Brunswick has ever seen, and it’s more than just a shiny new farm. In partnership with global clean-energy player Universal Kraft and Indigenous clean energy leaders Neqotkuk (Tobique First Nation), our city will soon be home to a 10-megawatt solar site off Old Black River Road.
It’ll be called the Menahqwesk Kisuhs Energy Hub, blending the Wolastoqey words for Saint John and sun, a nod to who’s leading the charge and where it’s happening.
This will be Saint John’s first-ever utility-scale solar farm, with enough power to juice up 1,200 homes and cut over 10,000 tonnes of emissions a year. Saint John Energy will buy all of it under a 30-year deal, helping keep rates stable while pushing toward its Zero30 net-zero goal.
Construction kicks off in 2026.
🏡 Saint John Home Sales Inch Up, But Prices Are Climbing Faster
Turns out, spring was busy in New Brunswick’s real estate world…May cracked 1,000 homes sold across the province for the first time since June 2023. And while the rest of NB saw decent bumps in sales (Moncton was up 11.9%), Saint John only squeaked out a 0.5% increase.
But here’s the kicker: prices in Saint John are up. The benchmark price for a home here hit $360,668, a jump of nearly 6% over last year. Inventory is slowly building, but it’s still a tight market. Townhouses took a hit (down 13.9%), but single-family homes and apartments are holding strong.
⚽ New Soccer Field Coming to Hampton
Talk about a lucky bounce! Hampton is getting a new soccer field behind the Summit Centre, and it all came together thanks to some well-timed teamwork. Construction soil from the Centre site was repurposed as the base, and with support from Hampton Minor Soccer and some leftover materials for washrooms and storage, the Town is moving forward on the field using reserve funds.
It’s expected to be ready for the 2026 season…great news for local cleats and kickers.
*Nothing in this section is sponsored, just things you need to know. We’ll always let you know if items are sponsored.
LOCAL BUSINESS
✨ Emporia Turns One This Weekend
Hard to believe it’s already been a year since Emporia opened its doors on Prince William Street, bringing a little magic, sparkle, and seriously good incense downtown. The shop’s full of everything from crystals and tarot decks to journals, tea, pottery, and Harry Potter treasures.
They’re celebrating their first birthday this Saturday (10am-5pm) with treats, giveaways, and in-store specials. Swing by and show ’em some local love.
🌙 Night Market’s Back and Monthly This Summer
The Saint John Night Market is returning for 2025, and this year it’s going monthly, giving you four can’t-miss Thursday nights to soak up food, drinks, live tunes, and local vendors.
Join the party on June 26, July 31, August 28, and September 25, from 5–9pm at Germain Street and the City Market. Four chances to make your summer evenings a little more delicious and a lot more fun!
SPONSORED
Time to Shine! ☀️
Your business deserves the spotlight. Advertise in our newsletter and be part of the morning buzz!
EVENTS
What’s Happenin’
East Coast Games | June 20–22
The biggest weekend in local sport is here. With more than 2,700 athletes competing across Saint John (and beyond), the East Coast Games are bringing the action with over 15 tournaments—basketball, axe throwing, rugby, you name it. It’s a choose-your-own-sideline kind of weekend, and a great excuse to cheer on the hometown talent.
Here are a few events to catch if you're looking for a front-row seat:
🏒 Ball Hockey | LBR Outdoor Rink
3-on-3 games behind the LBR all weekend. Fast, scrappy, and fun to watch—no ice required.
🏀 Basketball | St. Mac’s + SJHS
Full-court action from U9 to U15. Expect buzzer beaters, fast breaks, and classic gym vibes.
🥋 Karate | UNBSJ Athletics Centre
Electric energy and crisp kata on Saturday only. Come see discipline in motion.
🥍 Lacrosse | KV Arenas
Four arenas, one rough-and-tumble sport. If you’ve never watched live, now’s the time.
🏉 Rugby | UNBSJ Stadium
Hard hits and big plays. Finals wrap up Sunday at 3pm—sideline snacks encouraged.
🥏 Disc Golf | Shamrock Park
Frisbee meets finesse in this low-key, high-skill event winding through the woods.
🏊 Swimming | Qplex
Fast lanes and early heats. Catch future Olympians before lunchtime Sunday.
Also on deck: climbing, cricket, flag football, road racing, softball, soccer, table tennis, ultimate frisbee, fencing, and golf. Full schedule here.
🚀 Summer Reading Club prepares for liftoff
The Saint John Free Public Library is getting ready to launch its annual Summer Reading Club, and this year, it’s heading to space. The theme is all about stars, planets, and cosmic creativity, with books, crafts, and programs to match. Kids can sign up online or at the library, and a full week of activities is planned ahead of next week’s official launch party. Prepare for blastoff.
🏀 Time to book it like Beckham
Whether you're rallying the rec league crew or just need a floor for your fall pickleball domination tour, the City is now accepting applications to book sport facilities for Fall 2025. That includes everything from ballfields to sport courts, arena floors to multipurpose rooms…basically anywhere you can break a sweat or bruise an ego.
The booking window is for Sept. 5 to Oct. 31, and applications are due by Wednesday, July 2. Hit up the city site to apply, and maybe get your roster together while you're at it.
*Nothing in this section is sponsored, just things you need to know. We’ll always let you know if items are sponsored.
LOCAL PICS
WHERE ARE WE? 📸
Watch this spot each Wednesday for a random snap from somewhere in the Saint John Region. Where are we? Only true locals will know the answer. If you think you can place this mug, be sure to hit reply and give it your best guess! We’ll reveal the location and any correct guesses in Friday’s issue.
Tag @sjtoday.ca to get your photos featured!
SIDE NOTES
Today’s Tides 🌊
High Tide | 5:31 AM(Wed 18 June) | 7.48 m(24.54 ft) |
Low Tide | 11:49 AM(Wed 18 June) | 1.31 m(4.3 ft) |
High Tide | 6:01 PM(Wed 18 June) | 7.47 m(24.51 ft) |
Reach Readers Daily!
Need to get the word out? Our baseline ads give you the perfect spot to connect with Saint John readers. With your message right next to the latest local buzz, it’s a great way to make an impact. Let's chat about getting you featured here!*
*indicates sponsored content
Thanks!
Thanks for reading SJ Today - If you found it useful, share it with someone who spotted a wild animal in their yard this month 📬.
-Geoff Walsh, Publisher