Black community in Nova Scotia town opposes development near recreation centre

The mayor of New Glasgow, N.S., says a decision to build a long-term care facility in the heart of the town's historically Black neighbourhood will be reviewed after members of the community raised objections.

Mayor Nancy Dicks said a motion to reconsider the care home site is expected to be held at the end of the month.

Dicks said the decision to hold a new vote follows a lengthy meeting on Monday with members of the African Nova Scotian community, who said they weren't consulted about the project, which is slated to go up next to a long-established community centre.

The mayor said the site for the care home serving all of New Glasgow was chosen after seven locations were examined, and the town believed it could coexist with the recreation centre.

But Brandy Borden-Sylla, a member of the recreation centre's board, said community members are concerned they will lose parts of the property, which includes a playground, a soccer field and basketball courts.

Borden-Sylla described the centre as the "heart" of the community, adding that people from the area were quick to mobilize to protect it.

For more stories about the experiences of Black Canadians — from anti-Black racism to success stories within the Black community — check out Being Black in Canada, a CBC project Black Canadians can be proud of. You can read more stories here.

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