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Civic centre name honours businessmen

John Bragg, left, and Stu Rath are thrilled to have the area's civic centre named after them. The facility's official name, which was revealed on Tuesday, is the Rath EastLink Community Centre. Monique Chiasson - Truro Daily News

John Bragg, left, and Stu Rath are thrilled to have the area's civic centre named after them. The facility's official name, which was revealed on Tuesday, is the Rath EastLink Community Centre. Monique Chiasson - Truro Daily News

Published on October 30, 2012
Published on October 30, 2012

Rath, Bragg thrilled to give back to community, provide for next generation

Topics :
Central Nova Scotia Civic Centre , Rath EastLink Community Centre , Marigold Cultural Centre , Cumberland County , Abenaki Road , Canada

TRURO - Stu Rath was all smiles as the civic centre's new name was revealed on Tuesday morning.

The facility, which until yesterday was referred to as the Central Nova Scotia Civic Centre, has been officially named the Rath EastLink Community Centre. The name honours two businessmen – Truro's Stu Rath and John Bragg of Collingwood, Cumberland County – because of their financial donations to the centre.

"I'm pleased to play a small part in this and see it bear my name," said Rath, 69, who wouldn't reveal how much he donated to the project.

The announcement was made during a conference yesterday morning at the Marigold Cultural Centre. About 40 people attended.

Rath said his love of sports and community were his incentives to contribute.

"I was involved in hockey since I was a kid and I love sports. I also want to do things for the community and it affects the next generation," Rath said.

Rath's interests include various sports and he is the father of two grown children.

Bragg, founder of EastLink Television and president and co-CEO of Oxford Frozen Foods Limited, chose to donate to the cause thanks to his admiration of Rath. He too wouldn't reveal how much his donation was.

"I wanted to share in Stu's vision," said Bragg, 72, adding he and Rath were partners in EastLink Television in the mid 1980s for about 10 years.

"Also, I'm a firm believer that it's absolutely critical we have good infrastructure ... it's critical for the welfare of the town," said Bragg, adding being "recognized as a donor (shows) we want to encourage philanthropy for others."

Bragg is married to wife Judy and has four adult children. His interests include golfing, biking and reading.

Jon Stanfield, chairman of the Ignite the Spirit campaign, which has been a main fundraising initiative for the centre, said naming the facility after major contributors is appropriate.

The opening of the almost $50-million centre on Abenaki Road in 2013, after numerous delays, will be a welcome moment, said Stanfield. An opening date will be announced in the near future.

"It will attract people and jobs and it will (help us) compete with other communities," Stanfield said at the conference.

mchiasson@trurodaily.com

The following is a look at a few of the dates that were significant during the civic centre's timeline:

2006 - Truro applied to host the 2011 Canada Winter Games. From that loss to Halifax came a $10-million commitment from the provincial government towards this area's own civic centre. That figure was matched by the federal government.

Summer 2009 - Project campaign planning began

September 2010 - Construction of the centre begin

March 2011 - Ignite the Spirit fundraising campaign was launched

December 2011 - $4-million mark of a $5-million fundraising goal was reached

October 2012 - Naming of the centre

   

 

Comments

  • Username
    Mark
    - November 3, 2012 at 19:20:09

    It is great to see that businesses with the means to give back to the comunity have in such a significant way. Truro you are fortunate.

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  • Username
    joe nelson
    - November 1, 2012 at 19:06:40

    Oh yea real nice guys Bull,,,wont say what what i really think..

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  • Username
    truro guy
    - October 31, 2012 at 20:19:28

    frigging unbelievable :: this is truro's back room politics at it's best who were the twenty who attended the unveiling.. can we have the list of names i'm not taking away stu involvement in truro . this is not the democratic way .. maybe it should of been put to the people of truro and surrounding area to vote maybe come up with a short list of possible names and the residences vote on them yes stu made a contribution to the center. can we see the contract and the requirements or commitment from the civic center back to these men.. stu will be getting his money back by his team the truro junior A bear-cats playing there ,,and maybe royalties on canteen sales ect.... and john's contribution is just the cost of doing business in advertising.. how much tax break will these guys get and how much out of pocket did they actually contribute.. just open the books PLEASE DON'T PUT A BIG SIGN UP .. it makes me want to leave truro to muck clicky-ness and politicking truro should be run by the citizens and not by a few egomaniacs

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  • Username
    Shocked
    - October 31, 2012 at 18:01:20

    I read this newspaper this morning and was absolutely shocked at the name that was given to this building. I like others agree that the two gentleman have contributed alot, however, you give because you want to, not to have a building named after you. Not long ago there was a lady that left a lot of money to a certain church in Truro, the church still has the same name and it is has not been renamed after this lovely lady who so thoughtfully and generously donated millions of dollars!! I pay taxes like the others in this community and I do not appreciate that this name was given to the centre without thought to the tpeople of Truro and surrounding areas. Like another person stated above a plaque inside of the building would have been sufficient.

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  • Username
    BEAN COUNTER
    - October 31, 2012 at 16:30:47

    Was it ever called the Central Nova Scotia Civic Centre (28 letters), or was it just Central Nova Civic Centre (22 letters)? .....Rath Eastlink Community Centre has 27 letters....hmmm.....its gonna cost more for the signs....

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  • Username
    TAX PAYER
    - October 31, 2012 at 15:58:02

    COME ON YOU GUYS! If you all haven't figured out you live in Stu's bubble get your heads out of your arses....Doubt if the Rath Eastlink sign will be noticeable on the exterior anyway.......Really It doesn't matter what the place is named, everyone will have their pet name, the best one will eventually get around town and thats what the place will be be called. Its true, It will. i AM more worried about the EXTRA BILL coming down the pipe to sand down the building's interior architect specified factory primer and RE-PRIME the whole place to get the new paint to stick.. Pretty big building, thats gonna take some time, AND LOTS MORE MONEY........tick, tock, tick tock, tick, tock....mY run for mayor next time WILL BE ON the SELL THE CIVIC CENTER PLATFORM. LIKE IT! RECOMMEND TWEET

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  • Username
    A Critical Eye
    - October 31, 2012 at 12:32:43

    I was honestly surprised a that the name wasn't going to remain "The Central Nova Scotia Civic Centre". Didn't even know it was going to be RENAMED until I read about it earlier this week. I'm not minimizing the contributions by the two gentlemen in the new name, however, there are plenty of folks out there who donated all they could and will miss the money they donated more than those 2 chaps and those folks didn't get their name on the building. This whole process lacked transparency and this the naming deal is just another example of that.

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  • Username
    Robert Mahar
    - October 31, 2012 at 12:25:35

    I write this with all due respect to Mr. Rath and Mr. Bragg. The rate payers of Colchester County Paid for this facility with their hard earned tax dollars ,the tax payers will be on the hook for all future losses of this facility and this tax burden is on the backs of future generations of tax payers of the county. The tax payers do not get any tax brakes from Revenue Canada for the money they pay to this center every year at tax time as this money is not a "donation" but part of the tax bill. This announcement in private with I must assume attended by 40 "elected" officials was very poorly handled and without thought to actually pays the bills. No complaint will change this however we as tax payers must take responsiblity as these ( again I assume ) 40 PEOPLE WHO ATTENDED "WE VOTED FOR". Regards to Mr. Rath and Mr. Bragg

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  • Username
    Why?
    - October 31, 2012 at 12:20:47

    With all the contributions that have been made to the civic centre, from businesses to private contributors, it should not have been named in "honor" of anyone. This de-values the contribution of others at the expense of these two. And it should definitely not be used as an advertising venue for Bragg's business.

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  • Username
    truro mom
    - October 31, 2012 at 11:51:40

    Disappointed that the two of the biggest donors (yet wont say how much they donated) will now have their name on the Civic Centre. Seems like they were saying "look how much money I donated, so name something after me" In fact, a lot of philanthropists do it anonymously. Should have kept it as the Civic Centre, have a location inside, which plaques of all the "big" donors and show recognition that way. Most people will just call it the Civic Centre anyway.

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  • Username
    Parkman
    - October 31, 2012 at 11:27:34

    At least it wasn't called MacArthur Taylor .

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    • Username
      Supporter
      - October 31, 2012 at 13:01:51

      I agree with you Parkman bad enough they are back in for another term. Rath did a great thing here don't know the amount but can assume it was a lot. Well deserved. Now hurry up and get the place open so we can enjoy it.

  • Username
    Skeptic Al
    - October 31, 2012 at 11:08:21

    'The REC Centre' works on a few levels.

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  • Username
    Katherine
    - October 31, 2012 at 11:07:40

    Seriously? People are complaining about the name of a civic centre? If this is their biggest speed bump in life, people should consider themselves lucky. Have people not been watching the coverage of Hurricane Sandy? Those people have something to complain about. People in our very own community are living under the poverty line - and there are people complaining about the name on a building? Especially after seeing the devastation of those affected in the US by Hurricane Sandy or even the recent flooding in Truro - people are complaining about a name on a building?! Maybe instead of COMPLAINING, people should get involved in their community instead of being armchair activists. Whether people agree with the business practices of Mr. Rath or Mr. Bragg - their generousity has and will benefit our community.

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  • Username
    Bernard Shakey
    - October 31, 2012 at 10:59:00

    Thank you Stu & John for your contributions. And to you Stu for everything you you continue to do to promote hockey. I'm sure you're not surprised at some of the comments. After all this is Truro. Lots of opinions and no support.

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  • Username
    jay
    - October 31, 2012 at 10:31:07

    If this is a community building then how come the community didn't have a choice in the name?

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  • Username
    Jamie
    - October 31, 2012 at 09:42:36

    I give thanks where it is due, and these two gentlemen have obviously contributed greatly to the funding for this building and therefore is it only proper that respectable community contributors are given a spot, but I do have to admit that this name doesn't roll off the tongue very comfortably. Truro Civic Center, Colchester Community Center, Hubtown Civic Center, ect, all have a bit more of a ring to them in my opinion. Ah well, heres to hoping we can get some decent entertainment in the RECC.

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  • Username
    Gecko Girl
    - October 31, 2012 at 08:59:38

    Ugh...the dreaded and despised cable bill. Just what I need, another reminder everytime I drive by the place of that rotten, despised bill that I can't live without! There were many people and groups who donated what they could afford to this centre. Picking and choosing a couple of them was wrong.

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  • Username
    Skeptic Al
    - October 31, 2012 at 08:37:28

    If leadership on this project want to use the word 'community' in the building's name, they really should begin to be more communicative (2 way) around some of the concerns being voiced on pricing and now naming. A simple statement on the concept of naming rights as a revenue generator might have gained some buy-in prior to the private announcement. What we have now is The Community Wrath Eastlink Centre.

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    • Username
      Surprised by Choice
      - October 31, 2012 at 09:49:47

      Really an honour to have the Rath name- But seriously Truro- Is this not a Community Funded Center? the Name Rath-Bragg sounds better, and are we advertising for Eastlink??? Very confused, and i do prefer If things are named after A Truro Supporter- Icon, should they be at least as a memorial??? Disappointed...And what were the choices anyway?We could have named it after many people who have made a big influence in Truro over the years.

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