August 2013 - Grand Opening of Open Hearth Park
Labour Day weekend saw the grand opening of Open Hearth Park. The event called Stronger Then Steel featured three days of concerts, gourmet food, a Mi'kmaq village, a steel workers parade and a giant fireworks display. Thousands turned out to see the talent and to socialize. Many of the attendees were former steel plant workers and the event was a chance to catch up on old times and appreciate the beauty of the park. Open Hearth Park is located next to Harbourside Commercial Park. The park will be owned and managed by Harbourside. Open Hearth Park will include a multi-use sports field with synthetic turf, a commons area with outdoor concert venue and skating area, a playground, a bike park, a dog park, and a trail network with bridges connecting downtown Sydney with the communities of Whitney Pier, Ashby and the North End. Beautiful artwork has been created for the park by local artists. The former Coke Ovens site will be converted to a green space with road infrastructure for light industrial use.
Visit the slide show to see pictures from Stronger Than Steel - SLIDESHOW
Horizon Achievement Centre Receives Land at Harbourside- July 10, 2013
The Horizon Achievement Centre is a vocational training and employment service centre for adults living with mental disabilities and those facing multiple barriers to employment. To help Horizon grow its operation and reach more people in need, the province purchased 5.5 acres of land within the Harbourside Commercial Park and officially transferred it today, July 9, to the organization. Premier Darrell Dexter was on hand to unveil a sign at the future site.
The Horizon Achievement Centre provides valuable workforce training for Nova Scotians with disabilities is getting the space it needs to expand and continue its good work. Over the past 25 years the non-profit organization has had great success fostering and promoting the independence of its clients, so much so that it has outgrown its existing three facilities in Sydney.
"It’s important for Nova Scotians living with disabilities to have the supports they need to live more independently,” said Premier Dexter. "Horizon is an incredible organization that is providing that support for people and families in the Cape Breton Regional Municipality. “This additional space gives Horizon the opportunity to continue to grow so it can help even more Nova Scotians live independent and fulfilling lives." Horizon currently helps about 200 people across CBRM and has a wait list of more than 50.
“Today is the culmination of years of hard work by everyone involved in the first phase of the Beyond the Horizon building project,” said Carol Pendergast, executive director of Horizon. “Now that we have secured this property, we can concentrate on building a new multifaceted facility that will allow us to expand our programs, further develop partnerships, increase our presence in the community and address the growing wait list.”
The province invested $123,750 to purchase the land from the business park. “We truly appreciate the efforts of our local MLA, Gordie Gosse, who has always supported the Horizon Achievement Centre and its role in this community,” said Ms. Pendergast. “Thank you as well to the management team of Nova Scotia Lands and Habourside Commercial Park, and the Department of Community Services for believing in our vision.”
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