Skating oval still in the works
Two new locations in Glace Bay area under consideration
GLACE BAY — Despite several obstacles, construction of an outdoor skating rink in the New Aberdeen area is expected to move forward in the near future.
In terms of obstacles, organizers of the planned outdoor facility in the Glace Bay neighbourhood weren't able to access a recent round of federal funding and the proposed Black Diamond baseball field site has been scraped due to accessibility issues.
“Any funding is tied to accessibility and you are not getting anybody with a disability from the Hub parking lot to the middle of the horse track,” said John White, the project organizer. “You just can't cut across the horse track. That's why I moved it.”
There are still two possible locations in the New Aberdeen area, one that White called a better fit than another. The preferred spot was recently purchased and he's trying to track down its new owner to acquire it for the skate park.
He wouldn't disclose either location but said both will be better protected from weather conditions than the original location in the Hub.
As for funding, a detailed application was submitted to Employment and Social Development Canada but White said money from that fund was used for many smaller projects across the country, leaving no dollars for larger ones like the Glace Bay oval.
He plans to resubmit an application in the coming weeks and is optimistic it will find success this time.
Cape Breton-Canso MP Mike Kelloway is a fan of the project but said the federal fund its organizers tried to access was oversubscribed. He encouraged White to reapply when that particular pot of money is available again.
“There's also other opportunities that I'm looking at and I'm just waiting for one particular funding envelope to be announced,” Kelloway said.
“My hope is we will be able to sit down with the folks in Glace Bay, John and others, and take a look and see if there is a fit there because quite frankly skating ovals or anything related to recreation is going to take on more prominence because of COVID and after COVID.”
Kelloway is a member of the standing committee on health and said he's been vocal regarding the mental health impacts of the pandemic.
He noted expert opinions pointing to an "echo pandemic" regarding mental health inside the COVID-19 pandemic could lead to increased investments on things like active transportation and recreation to help people socialize again in a safe way.
An outdoor skating facility in Glace Bay could fit the criteria.
“I'm really bullish on it. I love it. I love the idea and think it will add a lot to Glace Bay and surrounding area but what I love more than even the project itself is the motivation and the passion behind it.”
Small setbacks aside, some interesting progress has been made on the skating project, including specs from an engineer on a concrete pad for a rink and walkway. White said the project now includes basketball and volleyball courts and a greenhouse.
“The goal location and another location have access by three roads,” he said. “What this does, it puts your car on the same level as the concrete pad. When you pull in you have access on three roads on the sides of the rink.”
White expects the Future Ready Group for youth in the area will be heavily involved in the project and monitor it once completed.
“That gives them a sense of ownership,” he said. “I want the kids to feel like they belong and own the place and look after it.”
The message he is bringing to the public is the same one he told officials with Employment and Social Development Canada in that it will not just be a rink but a centrepiece of New Aberdeen that will add value to the community.
“I'm trying to revitalize a devastated community, that's what I am trying to do.”
The oval project cost is approximately $110,000 and White hopes federal funds will cover the lion's share.
He's confident federal funding will come through but believes that money can be raised through public support even if it does not.
“When you tell this community what you want to do and they believe in it, they will step forward. I believe in this community and they will step forward. I don't have any doubt about that at all.”