Cougar Dome still under repair following Dorian

Water and electrical damage from tropical storm estimated at up to $40,000

TRURO, N.S. – The Cougar Dome is in need of funds to make repairs after it was lashed by tropical storm Dorian last month.

The Sept. 7 event damaged electrical wiring, ballasts and tore the tent dome structure, leading to the turf flooding in places. Damage is estimated at between $35,000 and 40,000. The dome was saved from total destruction as it was deflated before Dorian hit.

“Had we left it up, it would have been more severe, in terms of catastrophic damage that would have been done,” said Scott Annand, president of the Cobequid Society for Athletic Excellence. “Basically, that means losing the whole facility.”

Once Dorian passed over, an intense clean-up operation was launched to dry out the surface and restore lighting. Annand said good ventilation systems prevented a buildup of mould and mildew.

By Sept. 10, the tent was reinflated. Athletes from Cobequid Educational Centre next door are again using its tennis courts, soccer pitch, race track and other facilities. While not the province’s biggest, the Cougar Dome has the most diverse range of facilities in Nova Scotia.

However, small patches of turf are still discoloured and the dome is waiting for a full appraisal of the surface damage. The dome, a not-for-profit facility, is home to 60,000-squarefeet of flooring.

Since it was first built in fall 2013, the dome has only been deflated once before, during a severe winter storm.

However, Annand remained philosophical about Dorian, saying such storms will become more common as the climate changes.

“It seems to be pounding a bigger punch and there’s more of them,” said Annand. “It’s just the evil of the beast.”

He said Cougar Dome users are already stepping up with small donations, even before the big fundraising drive is launched.

Anyone wishing to make a donation towards repair costs can call the Cougar Dome’s front desk at 902-843-4171, or email infor@cougardome.ca. People can also offer cash and cheques in person at the Cougar Dome’s 72 North Street location.

Annand said the Cougar Dome will be launching a Gofundme page by the end of this week to help raise more cash.

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO CONTRIBUTED PHOTO Rainwater seeped onto the indoor sports surface after tropical storm Dorian struck.

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO Despite deflating the dome before the storm hit, it still suffered storm damage.

FRAM DINSHAW/TRURO NEWS Scott Annand and his colleagues at the Cougar Dome are working to prevent a buildup of mould after Dorian’s flooding left the facility in disarray.

The Cougar Dome faced an intense cleanup operation after Dorian.