Only indoor rink in Cape Breton’s Victoria County in danger of closing
The Victoria Highlands Civic Centre in Baddeck, N.S. is the only indoor arena for miles. It's nearly 50 years old and it's seen better days.
"We were shocked at the level of what's required for the building," said John Trickett, president of the arena’s board of directors.
Trickett says when an engineer was brought in to look at fixing the roof and adding more dressing room space for female players, a whole host of other problems was discovered.
Along with pieces of the wall behind one of the nets falling apart due to severe rusting, there are also rusting problems near the roof, which is causing mold and other weather damage.
"Essentially, it's like a rusted out car in some of the main areas," Trickett said. “And over years, that's allowed rain and water to get in and create rusting effects internally and other components. And mildew.”
The arena is home to more than 100 kids who play in the Baddeck and Area Minor Hockey Association.
Its catchment area ranges from North of Smokey to Iona - a distance of nearly 200 kilometres.
Victoria County Warden Bruce Morrison says replacement probably isn't feasible right now, so they're in the early days of looking at potential repairs.
"A brand new rink would be lovely," Morrison said. "But I think whatever improvements are going to be made will be based on whatever funding will be made available by, particularly, the provincial and federal governments."
Trickett says the hope is to avoid having to close the rink for the 2022-23 season, but he admits repairs won't come cheap.
"For this year, we're safe. But next year, it's in jeopardy," Trickett said.
"To get it roof-tight and weather-tight, we're looking at somewhere around $2.3 to $2.2 million dollars. But that doesn't address the other concerns inside with the mold issues, the wet insulation."
The arena is also home to the closing banquet for the annual Cabot Trail Relay Race and its more than a thousand runners. It also hosts many other events.
"It would be a big loss to the community," Trickett said.
Trickett and Morrison say the rink’s future will be further discussed with Victoria County council in October.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Russia puts Ukrainian President Zelenskyy on its wanted list
Russia has put Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on its wanted list, Russian state media reported Saturday, citing the interior ministry’s database.
No proof man lied to brother about number of kittens born in litter, B.C. tribunal rules
A man was denied a $5,000 payout from his brother after a B.C. tribunal dismissed his claim disputing how many kittens were born in a litter.
A Chinese driver is praised for helping reduce casualties in a highway collapse that killed 48
A Chinese truck driver was praised in local media Saturday for parking his vehicle across a highway and preventing more cars from tumbling down a slope after a section of the road in the country's mountainous south collapsed and killed at least 48 people.
'I just can't believe that it took so long': Body found in wreckage 3 months after deadly fire
A man accused of arson in a January Old Strathcona apartment fire is expected to be charged with manslaughter after a body was discovered in the burned building late last month.
Two killed after collision with truck on Hwy. 417 near Limoges, Ont.
Ontario Provincial Police say two people were killed after a car and a transport truck collided in the westbound lanes of Highway 417 near Limoges, Ont. on Tuesday afternoon.
Quebec man who threatened Trudeau, Legault online sentenced to 20 months in jail
A Quebec man who pleaded guilty to threatening Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier François Legault has been sentenced to 20 months in jail.
Explosion at train station leads to discovery of stolen car on Montreal's South Shore: police
Police are investigating after a BMW exploded in the St-Lambert Exo train station parking lot on Montreal's South Shore.
The pros and cons of discussing mental health issues in the workplace
A group of lawyers has written what they call a groundbreaking book about how mental health is perceived in the legal profession.
Quebec police hand out hundreds of tickets to Hells Angels and other bikers before 'first run' meeting
Quebec provincial police handed out hundreds of fines to Hells Angels members and other supporting motorcycle clubs who met for their 'first run' in a small town near Sherbrooke, Que.