New arena in Baddeck, N.S., nearly ready to break ground

The current arena in Baddeck, N.S., is a demolition zone. (Ryan MacDonald/CTV News Atlantic)

The building that for 50 years was the only rink in Baddeck, N.S., and in recent years, the only arena in Victoria County, is now a demolition zone.

“The roof is off of the former facility, the interior is gutted,” said Jeannie Campbell, a steering committee member for the new Victoria Highland Civic Centre.

With the teardown nearly complete, the steering committee working to have a new arena built said all of the roughly $18 million in government funding is now basically in place.

However, it has taken a while to get there. It has been nearly two years since the building was condemned in August 2024 and longer than that since a 2021 engineering report found the old arena was on its last legs.

“The process has been very long,” Campbell said. “It’s been complicated. I mean, it’s been five years since we started the process of looking at what’s possible, what’s necessary, but everyone has been supportive and we’re grateful that it’s all coming together.”

This year and last, the annual Cabot Trail Relay Race - which takes place May 23 and 24 - will hold its closing banquet in a large, expensive tent next to the shuttered arena.

“The tent and everything connected to the tent has added about $35,000 to the cost of the event,” said relay race treasurer David Parkinson.

Before it was closed for good, the banquet was held inside the Baddeck arena.

The race’s treasurer says having a new building sooner than later is imperative for an event that brings an estimated $1.7 million in spinoffs to communities around the Cabot Trail.

“Oh, it’s huge because I don’t know that we can just keep raising fees for the teams, keeping all the teams interested, and still come up with this extra money,” Parkinson said.

Pretty soon, what is left of the old arena will be torn down to make way for the new one.

“We are looking to break ground this summer, likely in the June or July timeframe,” Campbell said.

In the meantime, a fundraising comedy show is being held in the village on May 29.

The not-for-profit group that will operate the new rink hopes to raise $1 million in community fundraisers over the next two years.

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