TRURO - Issues with paint used in the arena portion of the Central Nova Scotia Civic Centre have caused yet another delay in facility's opening.
Heather Fraser, fundraising and public relations assistant for the centre, said issues with the painting process have "led to paint failure."
"It's something we wanted to address now instead of after the centre opens," said Fraser. "The construction crews are currently sandblasting and the paint will be re-applied."
Project manager Paul Smith said a different type of paint will be used when it is re-applied.
"From what we understand at this point in time, the paint we used is not compatible with the factory-applied primer," he said. "That's what our independent paint specialists are telling us."
Smith said specialists have compiled a report on the issue, which the project steering committee has yet to delve into.
"The cost for the remedial work on this issue is being reviewed and we are considering our options so this doesn't add an extra cost to the overall project," he said
This is the third time the centre's opening date has been pushed back. Originally scheduled to open in mid September, officials changed that date to mid October, and later announced mid November as the opening date for the arena.
"This will delay anything that was booked in the arena in November and December," Fraser said. "The only regulars as far as I know are the Truro (junior A) Bearcats and major bantam hockey. I don't think there were any events planned."
As for an actual opening date for facility, Fraser said officials aren't certain when that will be.
"The fitness centre and the pool weren't supposed to open until the first part of the New Year, so I don't think the issues will push that back too far," she said.
The Bearcats were schedule to host their first game in the new centre on Nov. 24, but team president Keith MacKenzie said he isn't sure when that will be now.
"It means frustrations and it means delays," he said. "Our home game for the centre was scheduled and then re-scheduled, but unfortunately there's not a thing we can do about it. It's going to come when it's going to come."
In the meantime, the Bearcats will continue to use the Colchester Legion Stadium for their home games.
"They've been exceptionally well with us," MacKenzie said of stadium staff. "They know it's frustrating for us but they've helped us out."
rtetanish@trurodaily.com
Not all property owners are paying taxes for the Civic Center, just residential property owners. Its true, ask mayor bob...he said commercial property owners gave freely to the project, no need to increase their taxes....he'll just fleece homeowners and increase their rates. Quite frankly, i don't believe every commercial property owner donated to the fund. Something is wrong there...just like the paint.