New Waterford’s big dig
Work continues at ball field built on former coal mine site
NEW WATERFORD – Work continues at a New Waterford baseball field built on top of a former coal mine.
Excavation work began at the Ray (Bozo) Steele Memorial Ballpark located off Heelan Street in December as the federal government prepares to transfer the property to the Cape Breton Regional Municipality when work is complete.
According to information obtained by the Cape Breton Post last month, the federal government is collapsing part of the field that is built on top of the entrance to the former No. 16 coal mine to secure the workings and reinstate the property as a baseball field before being transferred to the municipality.
The property, once owned by DEVCO, is currently under the control of Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC), a department of the federal government.
In 2019, PSPC conducted geotechnical drilling at the location and discovered the presence of mapped workings that have left significant shallow voids that could pose potential health risks if not addressed.
If the work wasn’t completed, the risk of potential issues — like a failure — could cause significant damage to the field as well as risks to public safety.
Along with the entrance to the mine, the Cape Breton Post has learned slopes and tunnels are under the field. The project is expected to be completed in three phases, the first of which began last month.
Similar projects are planned for other locations in New Waterford including a section of property near the walking track near Miner Avenue and Currie Street, formerly known as No. 14, as well as No. 12 at Colliery Lands Park off Ellsworth Avenue.
Meanwhile, work is also planned in Reserve Mines at No. 5/10 near the entrance to Reserve Mines Park, which has already begun, as well as No. 25 in Gardiner Mines near Centreville Street.
Once work is completed at those properties, other than the Gardiner Mines location, the land will also be transferred to the municipality.
As for the ball field, work is expected to be complete sometime this winter, weather permitting. The property is scheduled to be transferred to the CBRM in the spring.
However, the field isn't expected to be ready in time for the start of the baseball season. It's unknown as of yet when baseball will return to the field.