Article contentAs former president for the Victoria Highland Civic Centre board of directors, Trickett said the board asked for engineering firm Dillon Consulting to undertake a full assessment of the infrastructure. Article contentInitially, the Baddeck rink had been constructed with facilities mainly catering to male players, so he and the board commissioned an engineers’ report from Dillon Consulting to look at how they could add a female dressing room in the building, spurred on by a growing interest from girls’ minor hockey teams. Article content(As an aside, it’s the rink that gave Baddeck’s Jessica Wong a place to hone her on-ice skills en route to her successful hockey career, and subsequently a street renaming in her honour.) Article content Copies of the 2025 federal budget, tabled at Parliament Hill on Tuesday in Ottawa. Budget 2025 announced support for a list of 23 infrastructure projects across the country. Singled out on that list is a “Baddeck Recreation Facility in Baddeck, Nova Scotia,” found on Page 104 of the 405-page book. Photo by POSTMEDIAArticle contentWhen the firm reported back its findings, Trickett told the Cape Breton Post in a 2021 interview he was “shocked” to learn that the arena would require millions of dollars in repairs just to keep it in operation. Article contentArticle content“We already knew there were major structural repairs that had to be done, but not to the extent that was required by the engineer’s report,” he said at that time.Article contentDiscussions followed regarding the next steps to take — including turning the building into a multi-use facility. The steering committee agreed that was the most viable option, as the infrastructure had long surpassed its life span, Trickett said.Article contentBUILDING CLOSUREArticle contentIn the ensuing years since that initial report, the rink remained in operation for various minor hockey teams to use, and the board followed up with engineers to ensure the building could stay open.Article content“We had physically done everything we could possibly do within our control as a steering committee and the group working on this project, from the local commitments to the provincial commitments, and we were at a standstill,” Trickett said.Article contentArticle content“At times, it was a little bit demoralizing, but we were always given the impression that hang in there.”Article content An undated photo of the Victoria Highland Civic Centre interior. In 2024, the rink was forced to permanently shutter due to mechanical and structural issues, including an ammonia leak in the ice-making equipment. Photo by CONTRIBUTEDArticle contentBut in 2024, the rink was forced to permanently close due to mechanical and structural issues, including an ammonia leak in the ice-making equipment.Article content“Our minor hockey system and other people who use the facilities, whether that be adult recreation or the Friday night skate people, they have been forced to go to other areas,” said Jeanne Campbell, who also sits on the Victoria Highland Civic Centre steering committee.Article contentThe closest available rinks for minor hockey players ranged from Inverness, Mabou, Port Hood, Port Hawkesbury or eastward in the Northside area.Article content“It put a strain on families in terms of the cost to travel, the time commitments, etc.,” Campbell said. “And unfortunately, we have seen some dwindling numbers because the rink was just not accessible for some people anymore.”
Baddeck rink rebuild project singled out in tabled federal budget
