Park project a go
South Street revitalization set to start next week
The South Street Ball Field will soon have a new look as the revitalization project kicks into high gear.
Charlene Bradbury, secretary of the Glace Bay Community Commons Society and a member of the Glace Bay Women’s Softball League, said the equipment for the new playground has arrived in the community.
“Everyone has been asking when the project will be starting so it’s great to be able to say things are about to get underway,” said Bradbury.
“It’s just a matter now of turning over the topsoil and putting in the pipes for the water park. Once it starts it shouldn’t take too long to finish.”
Bradbury said if there are no major issues with installation and if the weather co-operates, the project will be completed by September.
“There will then just be some little details like the grass, sod and gravel work.”
The work is expected to get underway next Wednesday when Cape Breton Regional Municipality crews tear down the old fence.
In the meantime the parking area to the left of the building will be blocked off. The area before the gate will still be available for parking and a grass area will be cleared and used for temporary parking. This area will eventually be made into a permanent parking lot.
The committee’s main concern was to ensure that ball games would continue at the park throughout the summer.
“Not too many fields in Glace Bay are used as much as South Street so we didn’t want to halt things through the summer.”
The upgrades will include a water park splash pad, playground area, basketball courts, a new parking lot and a walking track. There is also a winter option for an ice surface on the ball field.
Each of the three levels of government contributed $100,000 to the project and the society raised $50,000 through fundraisers.
The society is continuing to raise money by selling sign advertisements to businesses for $250 that will be placed at the park.
Joneljim Concrete Construction has been awarded the tender for the project.
The idea for the project at the municipally owned ball field originated with local residents Dana Milley and Ken Tracey who use the park frequently and made note of unused space.
They spearheaded the formation of the society to work on a revitalization project and provide a play area for the children. “I’ll be honest we received a lot of calls from people kind of disappointed wondering why it wasn’t ready for June,” said Dist. 9 Coun. George MacDonald.
“Even though it was announced last year, these kinds of projects always slow down until all the money and all the plans are in place.
“Everything is a go and we hope to have it completed by the end of the summer.”
Blair Warren, 15, of Glace Bay, was at the park Tuesday with a few friends. Warren said they often get together to play ball at the park and are looking forward to the revitalization project.
“I think it’s going to be pretty good.”
“Even though it was announced last year, these kinds of projects always slow down until all the money and all the plans are in place.”
Dist. 9 Coun. George MacDonald