Truro council approves $628K to fill unsafe ponds at Argus Drive ball field after design error raises safety and cost concerns.
Costly Fix at New Baseball Field
The Town of Truro, Nova Scotia, will spend $628,000 to correct drainage problems at the newly built Argus Drive baseball field after three ponds formed unintentionally during construction. Town council approved the emergency fix on Monday, citing standing water and safety concerns that emerged once the field neared completion.
Design Error Leads to Standing Water
According to municipal staff, the ponds were constructed exactly as per approved drawings but failed to drain as expected. The result was stagnant water, raising public safety and environmental concerns. Town officials said the design error was discovered after the field’s grading did not match natural drainage patterns on the site.
Council Awards Contract to Dexter Construction
After reviewing bids, Dexter Construction was awarded the contract, valued at just over $628,000. The company is expected to complete the infill work within the next two months. The correction involves removing the ponds and restoring the land’s original drainage conditions before the field officially opens to the public.
Town Officials Commit to Project Review
Mayor Cathy Hinton acknowledged that the oversight has prompted a broader review of Truro’s capital projects.
“When mistakes are made or when we know we can do better, we have to do better,” she said, adding that council will evaluate its entire project management process to prevent similar issues.
The mayor emphasized that accountability and quality control will be a key focus moving forward.
Dissent Over Costly Approach
Councillor Jim Flemming was the only member to vote against the motion. He argued that a chain-link fence around the ponds could have been a cheaper alternative.
However, Oliver Browning, Truro’s Director of Public Works, explained that installing several kilometres of fencing would also cost hundreds of thousands of dollars and would not address drainage problems.
“We’re essentially bringing the site back to its original state,” Browning said, noting that the ponds were never designed for stormwater management.
Growing Costs in TAAC Redevelopment
The Argus Drive field is part of the Truro Amateur Athletic Club (TAAC) grounds revitalization, a multi-year effort to replace the former Golf Street baseball diamond and build new sports facilities.
Originally budgeted at $8.6 million, the total for both the Argus Drive and TAAC projects has now reached $11.6 million. The federal government contributed $3.2 million in 2022, with the province providing $2.67 million. Additional funding came from the Town of Truro, the Municipality of Colchester, and private donations.
Looking Ahead: Renaming and Legacy
The upgraded TAAC complex, now featuring an all-weather multi-sport field and synthetic eight-lane track, has opened for community use. It will be officially renamed the No. 2 Construction Battalion Athletic Facility on November 8, in honor of the historic all-Black First World War battalion that trained there.
A new monument, partially funded by Veterans Affairs Canada, will also be unveiled at the ceremony, marking a symbolic milestone in the town’s decade-long revitalization effort.
