New dome in Cape Breton re-inflating hopes of expanded sport programming
News release
Government of Canada supports efforts to strengthen community, spur tourism
December 22, 2022 · Sydney, Nova Scotia · Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA)
Atlantic Canada’s tourism industry is vital to the region and hosting national sporting events can generate significant economic benefits by attracting visitors outside the traditional tourism season. That is why the Government of Canada is supporting the Cape Breton Health Recreation Complex Corporation (CBHRCC), in partnership with Cape Breton University (CBU), to revitalize the community’s multi-sport recreation facility.
Today, Mike Kelloway, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard and Member of Parliament for Cape Breton–Canso, announced a non-repayable contribution of $500,000, through ACOA’s Innovative Communities Fund (ICF), to replace the dome structure, which has been unusable due to damage suffered during a winter storm in February, 2020. The announcement was made on behalf of the Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Minister of Official Languages and Minister responsible for ACOA.
This investment supports the installation of a modern dome structure enabling the community and university to continue to host high-caliber competitions that generate revenue for the region throughout the year. The new Cape Breton Health Recreation Complex (CBHRC) will feature energy efficient lighting and a cabling network to withstand high winds and larger roof snow loads from extreme weather events. The new dome will restore a key community asset for the sports organizations that rely on it for training and programming.
Work is expected to begin in Spring 2023. The building, which is located adjacent to CBU, is scheduled to host the upcoming 2023 U Sports Men’s Soccer Nationals Championship and the 2024 Toyota U17 Boys and Girls National Club Championships.
Today’s announcment further demonstrates the Government of Canada’s commitment to strengthen communities and local economies through world-class sports and tourism experiences.
Quotes
“The sports tourism sector in Atlantic Canada is vital to the region’s economic prosperity. Investing in projects like this one helps communities attract visitors - , drive economic growth, and strengthen the region’s reputation as an accomplished host of world-class, high-profile events.”
- The Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Minister of Official Languages and Minister responsible for ACOA
“Hosting the 2023 U Sports Men’s Soccer Nationals Championship and the 2024 Toyota U17 Boys and Girls National Club Championships will help expand the region’s growing sports tourism market by promoting Cape Breton as a high caliber event destination. This support will help the Cape Breton Health Recreation Complex Corporation and Cape Breton University to showcase the region’s offerings and hospitality on the national stage. This project also has the added benefit of expanding programming to offer sports such as cricket, offering more recreation options to residents in the future.”
- Mike Kelloway, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard and Member of Parliament for Cape Breton–Canso
“We are so excited with this announcement and many Cape Breton based sports and recreation organizations are thrilled to have their home back. The Dome, located on the CBU campus, has always been at the heart of the sports and rec community in Cape Breton. We know that healthy communities are thriving communities, and this infrastructure provides much needed access for the purpose of health, wellness and connection. Community members of all ages are going to benefit tremendously from this investment, and for years to come.”
- Ken MacLean, President of the Board of Directors for the Cape Breton Health Recreation Complex Corporation
Quick facts
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The CBHRCC is a not-for-profit charitable organization that operates the Cape Breton Health Recreation Complex in partnership with CBU, Cape Breton Track and Field Association, and Soccer Cape Breton.
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Known locally as “The Dome”, organizations who will use the newly renovated facility include Cape Breton University, Football Cape Breton, Soccer Cape Breton, local cricket leagues, youth baseball clubs, schools from the Cape Breton-Victoria Regional Centre for Education and rentals from First Nations communities.
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Repairing the building will allow an expansion of sports programming such as cricket, which is growing in popularity in Cape Breton due to the influx of international students and new Canadians who already enjoy the sport.
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Contacts
Marianne Blondin
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Official Languages and of the
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
Marianne.Blondin@acoa-apeca.gc.ca
Lauren Sinclair
Director of Communications
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
782-641-6365
Lauren.Sinclair@acoa-apeca.gc.ca
Ken MacLean
President, Board of Directors
Cape Breton Health Recreation Complex Corporation
902-565-2272
kenmaclean@ns.sympatico.ca
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