Additional $3M pledged for new Sydney Curling Club, construction could start this fall
President says with federal and provincial funding secured, shovels could be in the ground later this year
The Sydney Curling Club is one step closer to building a modern facility after the Nova Scotia government announced it is kicking in $3 million toward the cost of construction.
That comes after a $10-million commitment last fall from the federal government.
Curling club president Travis Stone said members will miss the 115-year-old building on George Street in downtown Sydney, but are looking forward to having a new one at the corner of Ferry Street and Stable Drive in Open Hearth Park.
"It's bittersweet," he said Tuesday. "All I hear from members here is how much they love the place and it's cosy, it's like our second home, but we know there's not a whole lot of life left in this place, so you've got to make a new home and we're ready for that.
"I think the love of the sport kind of trumps all."
Stone said the club is hoping to start construction this fall, with a new building opening in 2027.
"With curling, it's a little bit difficult to move into a building when you're in the middle of a season, so we're trying to line things up with the start of a season or the end of a season," he said.
The new building will house six sheets instead of the four available to curlers now and will add a community meeting room for events.
Stone said the extra space is needed for a beloved Canadian sport that "is just booming."
"We don't have room to fit any more members," he said of the existing facility. "Since we had the Scotties here and the women's world championship ... it's just super popular now. We just don't have anywhere to put them."
A place for community
Cape Breton East MLA Brian Comer said the new facility will provide a safe space where people can get out and socialize.
"When you think back to COVID and people couldn't get out and be active and talk to their neighbours and talk to folks within their community, it had really significant impacts on physical and mental health," said Comer, who announced the funding Tuesday at the Sydney Curling Club.
Stone said the estimated cost of the new facility is about $18 million. The club has some funds saved and expects to put the sale of the existing facility toward the capital cost of construction.
Stone said talks are also underway to get a contribution from Cape Breton Regional Municipality.
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