Optimism for TAAC Grounds, new baseball facility and Stadium being in play by end of the year

TRURO, NS – As it stands today, the only evidence that the TAAC (Truro Amateur Athletic Club) compound in Truro was once home to the city’s most prominent baseball field is the infield cut-out, which is still clearly visible, and a small metering sign a fence on what used to be the right field.

Gone are the dugouts and backstop, and while the canteen and press box structure remain, a new set of eyes might assume the building served other non-baseball purposes.

And while the legacy of the field’s baseball action will always live on, including the Truro Senior Bearcats’ 2002 Nova Scotia Championship with a 10-inning home run by Kevin Matheson, new memories are sure to come when a senior plays in “championship quality.” ” Baseball facility is located on Argus Drive, a little-known street that connects to Robie Street.

The City of Truro announced in a press release last week that a Request for Proposal (RFP) has been issued for the works, and they will soon issue another RFP for the multi-sport field to be reconstructed on the existing TAAC site, which is being built with connected to both golf courses (where the clubhouse and car park are located) and Prince Streets.

The press release went on to say that completion dates are currently unknown and will depend on the submissions of both RFPs, but the city hopes work will begin this spring/summer and be completed during 2023.

“I think it’s fantastic,” said Brian Wood, president of the TAAC Revitalization Project, volunteer coach for the Truro Minor Football Association, one of the groups that will benefit from the completed work.

“From a project standpoint, we are still on track to complete the project this year. All in all, it should be a year-long construction project.”

Wood said that while work at the baseball field could begin first, he expects work to continue at both sites concurrently with some resource sharing.

“Some of that will probably happen at the same time because there’s some synergy, whether it’s the same equipment or the same ground going back and forth between the two sites,” he said. “The intention is that both will be completed in this upcoming construction season and will be operational by the fall.”

The big funding announcement for the project came last August when it received $5.87 million from the Investing in Infrastructure Canada Fund – combined federal and provincial money. It was also officially announced when the City of Truro contributed $500,000 and the County of Colchester City Council $350,000.

Looking back, Wood said the day meant there was finally an “end in sight” for the committee that had worked diligently for years to elevate TAAC’s grounds to a level already enjoyed by many other communities in the province.

“We felt there for a long time that we were chasing a dream of making something happen,” he said. “Then there was a shift in mindset, in the gears to say, ‘OK, it’s happening, but we still have a lot to do.'”

Work continues to raise funds to cover costs not fully realized with last August’s announcement and funds already raised by the committee.

“Prices keep going up, so we will continue to raise funds. We’ve had a lot of great support already,” Wood said. “And now that people know the project is real and happening, we’re seeing more people coming on board and wanting to contribute, wanting to be a part of the project and willing to donate because it’s actually happening, and we know that now.”

For Truro Mayor Bill Mills, he said the committee and everyone who has supported improvements on the TAAC property is paying off their persistence and patience.

“One of the most important things is certainly that we look forward to the day when we can have provincial track meets in Truro,” Mills said. “This could also be the impetus for the senior baseball revival. It should be something different for the younger kids to have the opportunity to play on these fields.”

Regarding the location of the new baseball facility, Mills speaks more about its location on Argus Drive.

“Behind the Belly Up (BBQ and Grill) on Robie Street,” he said. “Our gravel pit (of the city) used to be here. On the other side, so the south side, we have “West” Prince Street and it’s not too far from the golf club. I think it will be quite an improvement for the area. Of course it needs flood protection and stuff like that, but I think it will be quite an attraction.”

Anyone wishing to donate to the project can do so by visiting City Hall at 695 Prince Street or by going online at canadahelps.org/en/charities/townoftruro. All donations are tax deductible.

The TAAC Revitalization Project’s website is taacrevitalizationproject.ca where they also encourage people to visit their Facebook page.

The TAAC Grounds signage and clubhouse on Golf Street; across the street, among others, the Truro Golf and Country Club. File stadium status

Just days before the city updated the status of the TAAC Grounds project, it also issued a release on what is happening to Colchester Legion Stadium, which has been out of action since last September when Hurricane Fiona severely damaged the facility.

In the press release, the city expressed optimism that the stadium could reopen by the end of August this year and become operational for the 2023-24 season.

Fiona was found to be causing significant roof damage and interior water damage, leading to the long-term closure.

“While mitigation work took place in the fall of 2022, cleanup and repair work is ongoing,” the press release said. “At this point, the scope of the project has been determined and the city is working with contractors to obtain bids for the cost of repairs.”

It also notes that the cost must be approved by the city’s insurance carrier, the scope of the project is “substantial” and delays are “magnified” due to a lack of contractors able to take on and complete a project become this size.

Mills said the stadium’s status surfaced during a recent meeting with Millbrook First Nation.

“They asked us about the stadium if we committed to fixing it and we said yes,” Mills said. “We’re having some issues with insurance right now and there’s an issue with some of our equipment inside. Once we fix that, hopefully sooner or later we can start the repairs.”

The stadium, along with the CEC, Cougar Dome, Stadium Ball Fields, Truro-Bible Hill Off-Leash Dog Park and Tim Horton’s Football Field, forms a vibrant and important part of Truro along Lorne, North and Parks streets. Mills said city officials heard that sentiment.

“I think the voice of our citizens was loud and clear,” he said. “I spoke at the Golden K (club) last week and that was addressed, the importance of the stadium and stuff like that. We’re gathering the numbers and hopefully there’s some opportunity for some funding from the FBI or maybe the province… I think it’s going to be quite expensive once we do the repairs.”

Colchester Legion Stadium pictured just after Hurricane Fiona damaged the facility. Maybe a contribution to Hockeyville?

The venerable facility, built in 1965, is also getting a boost to become the next Kraft Hockeyville, with, as of January 29, 98 entries on its “Community Page” for the popular competition (hockeyville.kraftcanada.ca) . The nomination and rally phase started on January 1st and lasts until February 19th, followed by the evaluation phase. A top 4 announcement will take place on March 11th.

The area has already had success at Kraft Hockeyville, with Deuville’s Rink in Salmon River being the winner in the 2006 competition’s inaugural year.

The design/layout for the TAAC site. contributed