Province Supports Upgrades at Cape Breton Exhibition Grounds
The Cape Breton Exhibition grounds in North Sydney will undergo major improvements that will modernize facilities and increase the capacity for larger audiences and events throughout the year. (Cape Breton Exhibition Society)
The Province is investing in upgrades to the Cape Breton Exhibition grounds, a community hub that has showcased the region’s agricultural traditions for more than a century.
“The Cape Breton Exhibition grounds have long been a gathering place for families, farmers and visitors from across the Island,” said Fred Tilley, Minister of Public Works and MLA for Northside–Westmount, on behalf of Communities, Culture, Tourism and Heritage Minister Dave Ritcey. “This investment helps preserve that legacy while ensuring the site remains a vibrant, inclusive space for events, recreation and cultural celebration.”
Work at the 2.75-hectare site in North Sydney will include major upgrades to roofing, electrical systems, washroom and kitchen areas, fencing, foundations, drainage and more. Through this project, the Cape Breton Exhibition Society will be enhancing accessibility, modernizing facilities and increasing the capacity for larger audiences and events throughout the year. The improvements will greatly enhance the facility’s capabilities, allowing it to expand the types and scale of gatherings the grounds can accommodate and offer year-round usability and comfort for attendees.
By modernizing the facilities, the grounds will continue to serve as a vital hub of community life, fostering local engagement and cultural enrichment while driving tourism and economic growth in the region.
The $3.2-million project is supported by all three levels of government, with contributions from the Province ($1.3 million), Government of Canada ($800,000) through the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, and the Cape Breton Regional Municipality ($800,000). The Cape Breton Exhibition Society has also contributed $325,000.
Quotes:
“The Cape Breton Exhibition grounds are part of our Island’s identity and its future. Renewing these facilities will help preserve Cape Breton’s agricultural heritage while opening the door to larger events that draw in visitors and strengthen our local economy.”
— Mike Kelloway, Member of Parliament for Sydney–Glace Bay, on behalf of Sean Fraser, Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
“The Cape Breton Exhibition grounds hold a special place in our community’s history. This investment will not only preserve a long-standing local tradition, but also create new opportunities to host larger events and evolve into a year-round venue that supports community gatherings, local businesses and the next generation of Cape Breton traditions.”
— Cecil Clarke, Mayor, Cape Breton Regional Municipality
“The contributions of all three levels of government ensure the long-term sustainability of the exhibition grounds, which is an important piece of event infrastructure, not only on the Northside, but for the entire Cape Breton Regional Municipality.”
— Donald MacNeil, Chair, Cape Breton Exhibition Society
Quick Facts:
- the Cape Breton Exhibition grounds have been a community landmark for more than a century and will host the 110th Cape Breton Exhibition in 2026
- the five-day annual exhibition features performances and exhibits that highlight the region’s agricultural sector
- the Province’s accessibility strategy, Access by Design 2030, outlines how the government will achieve its goal of an accessible province by providing people with disabilities equitable access to programs, services, information and infrastructure
Additional Resources:
Cape Breton Exhibition: https://www.facebook.com/CapeBretonExhibition/
Access by Design 2030: https://novascotia.ca/accessibility/access-by-design/