Baddeck, N.S., rink to be replaced with new multi-purpose recreation facility

The Nova Scotia government has announced that the Victoria Highland Civic Centre in Baddeck will be replaced.

The centre was forced to close in June due to mechanical and structural issues.

A post on the centre’s Facebook page at the time said a crucial part of their ice plant broke down.

“With the age of the building, state of the structural framing, lead time required to order and install a new chiller, and the cost of repairs have made this latest failure the last straw,” the post reads.

The ice plant was typically in operation from October to March.

A new multi-purpose recreation facility will be built in its place.

“Nova Scotians want to see investments in their communities to create environments where people can thrive,” said Keith Bain, MLA for Victoria-The Lakes on behalf of Communities, Culture, Tourism and Heritage Minister Timothy Halman, in a provincial news release.

Members of the project's steering committee say they hope to have a new rink built at the same location in two to three years. However, they add they’ll need federal funding for the build to get underway. They’ve asked Ottawa for nearly $13 million.

"Our announcement today will have to hinge on that money coming from the feds too,” said Keith Bain, Nova Scotia PC MLA.

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The province says the new facility will be accessible and include an ice pad, indoor walking track, a community kitchen and a community meeting space.

The Victoria Highland Civic Centre, also known as Baddeck Rink, is home to the Baddeck and Area Minor Hockey Association.

Until a new arena is built, the area's minor hockey players will have to travel at least 45 minutes.

"Sydney Mines, North Sydney, Mabou would be our closest,” said Kent MacEachern, president of Baddeck Minor Hockey. “Of course, the Northside had no room. I tried my best, I talked to everyone in CBRM just to get options. Mabou was able to accommodate."

The rink is also host to the Cabot Trail Relay banquet, dances, fundraisers, summer youth programs, conventions and markets in the off-season.

Committee members for the race say they’re now looking at options that can accommodate their thousand-plus banquet attendees, which is only about seven months away.

"We've talked to people about renting tents. We don't know if it's going to work. We have a lot of things to think about first,” said David Parkinson, committee member of Cabot Trail Relay Race.

The province says a grant of $5 million has been approved for the centre.

The Municipality of Victoria County will contribute $1 million and the community will contribute $500,000.

“We are grateful for the support and investment from our municipal and provincial governments in community infrastructure. We are dedicated to creating a safe, inclusive, and vibrant community hub that promotes health and well-being for all residents,” said John Trickett, Victoria Highland Civic Centre Steering Committee chair.

For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page.