Just a reminder that for information on the skating rink at Open Hearth Park, please contact CBRM Recreation Department at 563-5510 or by email at recreation@cbrm.ns.ca. Thank you

For information on the skating rink at OHP, please contact CBRM Recreation Department at 563-5510 or by email at recreation@cbrm.ns.ca

SYDNEY, N.S. — It’s not Wentworth Park or the dam in Glace Bay, but officials with the Cape Breton Regional Municipality expect a new outdoor skating rink will invoke similar feelings of nostalgia about gliding around in the great outdoors. The new memory-maker is found at Open Hearth Park and will debut to the general public on Saturday at 1 p.m., to help kick off the second edition of the Taste of Winter Festival across the CBRM. The new ice surface measures 100 feet by 60 feet and is currently being constructed next to the canteen in the main parking lot of the park. “This is a chilled rink. It’s not something where you build boards, fill it with water and hope for the best,” said Joe Costello, recreation co-ordinator with the CBRM. “We wanted to have some longevity because our winters are unpredictable.” The rented rink is powered, about a third the size of the Centre 200 ice surface and able to maintain a solid ice setting even when the temperature soars to the 6-8 C range. “Last year, we had planned for snow days on March 4 and there was no snow,” Costello said, on the reason for a powered rink kit. “We wanted to have some level of consistency if we were going to go ahead with it in order for people to use it.” Interest in an outdoor rink locally dates back to the opening of Open Hearth Park when there was plenty of talk of a kidney-shaped surface at its north end. And then disappointment when it couldn’t hold water. This time, Nova Scotia Lands has donated the space for the rink and the power to operate it. Centre 200 staff linked together the series of rubber tubes that hold the water that will freeze. They’ll also monitor it and resurface the ice with a nearby Zamboni machine when required. Costello said skating in general was among the suggestions to come forth during public consultations for the festival. Free indoor skates have been organized as a result, but an outdoor skating rink was something people were really pining to see. “We saw what happened once the Emera oval opened in Halifax, we saw how much use it got and how that went from a pilot project to a permanent installation.” PLEASE CONTACT CBRM RECREATION DEPARTMENT FOR INFORMATION.

Sydney Steel Museum (Carole Lee Boutilier) and NS Lands are using Tapnbe to create a digital outdoor museum at Open Hearth Park, on the site of the former Sydney Steel Plant. The property has been transformed in to a beautiful multi-use park and acts as a community gathering center. Tourists & local visitors to the park can tap or scan the #BigYellowTag and watch videos of the steel plant related to where they are standing.

The Cape Breton Football Association is in the process of contructing a Equipment Storage Building at Open Hearth Park.

https://vimeo.com/241792524

Walking with a friend in the park is better than walking alone.

The closing ceremony for the Flags of Remembrance is scheduled for Saturday, November 18, 2017 at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 138 Ashby Legion at 1 pm in the upstairs hall.

4 Engineer Support Regiment will be hosting an Open House on Sunday, November 12th at the main operating base near Open Hearth Park in Sydney. During the Open House, visitors will get an opportunity to tour the camp, talk to soldiers, and see some of the equipment that will be used during the exercise and everyone is welcome to attend. Le 4e Régiment d’appui du génie tiendra des portes ouvertes le dimanche 12 novembre, à la base principale d’opérations près du parc Open Hearth de Sydney. Pendant les portes ouvertes, les visiteurs auront la chance de visiter le camp, de parler aux soldats et de voir une partie de l’équipement qui servira durant l’exercice. Bienvenue à tous https://www.facebook.com/events/1977580545862813/