Dirt pile beside Glace Bay ball field to soon fuel hoop dreams

A few years ago, two dadsat a GlaceBay, N.S., ball field watched as their children played in some piles of dirt in an empty space next to the field.

Seeing thisprompted the two to talk about the need for a better recreationsite in the area.

Fast forward to July 2017 and the two fathers turned into a group ofseven people who raised about $350,000to build a playground in that empty space.

• Glace Bay mom wants better playgrounds

Within the next week, contractors are expected to begin preparing the land for a plush playground that will include a splash pad, basketball court, walking track and canteen facility.

More than 100,000 people expected to visit the site

KenTracey, co-chair of theGlaceBay Community Commons Society, is one of the two dads who got the ball rolling on this project. Hesaid around 50,000 to 60,000 people visit the facility each year. He anticipates that will double with the new recreation infrastructure.

The money for the new equipmentcomes fromgrants from the federal, provincial and municipal governments, totalling about $300,000, with the balance stemming fromdonations from individuals and businesses, said Tracey.

Cape Breton Regional Municipality will provide maintenance, but community volunteers are expected to pitch in and do their bit, such as supervising the canteen facility, said Tracey.

The group is eager to get ground broken for the project.

"I know the equipment is already in town $250,000 worth of equipment. I would say sometime in late Augustwe will be able to see some results," said Tracey.

"Hopefully, the people in the community will really enjoy it."