A family linked to a community center in Truro has pledged up to $500,000 in initial funding to establish a foundation aimed at organizing events to raise funds for the facility. The Friends of the Rath Eastlink Community Centre convened a meeting with members of Colchester and Truro councils in December. During the meeting, former board members of the facility and the Rath family, who contributed $1 million towards the center’s construction over a decade ago, delivered presentations.
The community center, featuring an NHL-size rink, rock-climbing wall, pool, and fitness center, has been managed by the Central Nova Scotia Civic Centre Society since its opening in 2013. However, the operating agreement between the Town of Truro and Municipality of Colchester is set to expire on Jan. 31 after a decision by Colchester council due to contract violations by the society’s CEO, Matt Moore, including agreements at the Nova Scotia Provincial Exhibition Complex in Bible Hill, which were also terminated.
Local business owner Duane Rath emphasized the need for additional revenue beyond the current $1.5 million annual operating grant from municipal owners, stating that raising ice and membership fees could only go so far. The facility recorded a deficit of nearly $91,000 for the last fiscal year, with a debt of almost $1.3 million. To support the center, Rath’s family plans to donate an initial $250,000 to establish a foundation and match donations up to $250,000, which would take over previous society-organized events like the Nova Scotia Stampede.
Both municipalities are considering pausing the termination of the operating agreement to explore the foundation model. Additionally, they are contemplating removing citizen positions from the society board and retaining only councillors while forming an advisory committee of community members. Attendees at the meeting, including Truro resident Ibel Scammell, expressed concerns about facility management and the need to refocus on wellness rather than distractions like the exhibition grounds.
While Colchester Mayor Christine Blair and Truro Mayor Cathy Hinton were absent, Millbrook First Nation Chief Bob Gloade attended and emphasized the importance of collaboration for hosting events to support the community center. Gloade highlighted the economic benefits generated by such events to offset operational costs.
