Community News
Community Vote to Name Ford Street Park
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Have Your Say: Community Vote to Name Ford Street Park
The Town of Truro, in partnership with the African Nova Scotia Community Strategy Committee, invites African Nova Scotian residents to participate in a public vote to select the official name of the park located at the corner of Ford and Robie Streets.
This park will be named in honour of African Nova Scotian women educators and community leaders whose dedication, courage, and vision have made lasting contributions to our schools, neighbourhoods, and shared history.
In May 2025, the Nova Scotia Women’s History Society hosted a public history installation in the park, celebrating five extraordinary women: Martha Eleanor Jones, Willena Beatrice (Corbin Gabriel) Jones, Donna Lee Byard Sealey, Ann Michelle (“Shelley”) MacLean, and Vera (Halfkenny) Clyke. Their portraits now stand in the park as a permanent tribute to their legacy.
The community naming contest ran from December 1, 2025 to January 9, 2026 and received a wide range of meaningful name submissions. The African Nova Scotia Community Strategy Committee, in collaboration with the Community Enhancement Association and Zion Baptist Church, has narrowed the list to four finalist names:
Sisterhood Park
Reasoning:
"Black women educators were a sisterhood supporting each other in establishments that were for the most part, white. The sisterhood kept them strong as they constantly faced both racism and sexism, lack of representation, isolation, and discrimination."
The Marsh Community Park
Reasoning:
"I believe this name meaningfully reflects the history of the community, as this neighborhood has long been known as the Marsh. The street and surrounding area were historically home to Black families who built a strong, close-knit community here. Over time, the neighborhood has changed, but its history remains significant.
In honor of the families who grew up here, the memories created, and the legacy this street represents, I believe it is important that this history be recognized and preserved. Naming the park The Marsh Community Park ensures that the story of this community is acknowledged and not forgotten."
Corner of Knowledge
Reasoning:
"Education at it finest."
Reparations Park
Reasoning:
"The name Reparations Park speaks to the repair that this park represents. “Reparations” in this sense are acts that repair the damage done by centuries of the trans-Atlantic slave trade and by anti-Black racism that persisted after the abolition of slavery and endures today. It is a strong statement to choose this name, and we firmly believe, an important one.
To me, the name "Reparations" speaks to the importance of the act of recognizing and celebrating the work of Black women in countering systems that have oppressed Black communities, and of their work to build the strength and unity of those communities."
Public Voting Day
Date: January 27, 2026
Time: 9:00AM – 7:30PM
Location: Douglas Street Recreation Centre
40 Douglas Street, Truro
Who Can Vote:
This vote is open to African Nova Scotian residents of Truro and Colchester County. Participation is based on self-identification and reflects the community-led nature of this initiative.
Proof of residency (within a Truro or Colchester community) is required.
Accessible Voting Options
Residents who are unable to vote in person on January 27 may arrange an accessible voting option on January 21, 22, or 23 by contacting:
902-893-6094
RECC and CNSCCS Governance and Public Engagement Summary
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RECC Governance and Public Engagement Summary
Background
On December 11, 2025, Truro Town Council received a presentation outlining recent governance challenges at the Rath Eastlink Community Centre (RECC) and the management of the Nova Scotia Provincial Exhibition Grounds. This came after the Municipality of Colchester issued notice to terminate the Operating Agreement, providing 90 days' notice on October 31, 2025.
To address these issues, the Town of Truro, in collaboration with the Municipality of Colchester, began considering changes to the governance structure of the RECC.
During this Special Council Meeting, Council members emphasized the importance of public input in shaping the future governance model for the RECC. As a result, Council passed a motion directing staff to engage with the Municipality of Colchester, consider amendments to the Society’s Bylaws, and conduct public engagement, including receiving input from the RECC CEO, before reporting back with recommendations.
Public Engagement Process
The public engagement process was initiated to ensure transparency, accountability, and alignment with municipal expectations. Residents and stakeholders were invited to provide feedback on the proposed governance changes, share their concerns, and suggest improvements. The engagement included an online survey, which ran from December 22 to January 5.
The Summary of Results from the public engagement process are outlined below, and a digital file of all individual responses was provided to the Town Council in advance of the Public Council Meeting on January 12, 2026.
pdf RECC and CNSCCS Governance and Public Engagement Summary(170 KB)
Public Engagement on RECC Governance
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Governance Challenges at the Rath Eastlink Community Centre
On December 11, 2025, Truro Town Council heard a presentation that outlined the recent history and governance challenges surrounding Rath Eastlink Community Centre (RECC) and the management of the Nova Scotia Provincial Exhibition (NSPE) Grounds by the Central Nova Scotia Civic Centre Society (the Society).
Jointly owned by the Municipality of Colchester and the Town of Truro, the RECC has operated under evolving agreements since 2013, with amendments in 2018 and 2023 expanding its mandate. However, concerns over financial reporting and compliance with these agreements led to significant governance issues.
From 2022 to 2025, a series of unauthorized contracts and management decisions were made without proper Board or municipal approval, resulting in escalating financial and operational concerns. Technical reviews identified risks in the proposed agreements, and repeated municipal requests for clarity went unmet.
In May 2025, the municipalities intervened, dismissing the original Board and appointing a new interim Board who were tasked with resolving the contract issues. In October 2025, the Municipality of Colchester subsequently issued notice to terminate the Operating Agreement, and the NSPE contract was also cancelled.
The key issues the municipalities have, which contributed to the breakdown in governance, were:
a lack of transparency and communication between management, the Board, and the municipalities;
management at the RECC entering into unauthorized agreements and exposing the municipalities to significant financial risks;
and delayed delivery and an unclear separation of finances between the RECC and NSPE.
The recommended next steps involve Truro Town Council considering a formal motion to determine the future governance of the RECC.
Based on a scan of governance oversight for similar facilities operating in other communities, Council is considering continuing with the current Society, but with changes to the governance structure so that all Directors of the Society are members of Truro Town Council or the Municipality of Colchester's Council. These changes would require amendments to the Society's Bylaws, and these changes could include:
Setting the number of directors at 6, with 3 from Truro Town Council and 3 from the Municipality of Colchester’s Council;
Establishing a Citizen Advisory Committee with citizens from Truro and Colchester to make recommendations to the Board;
Amending the current management structure to require regular Board meetings and reporting, as well as a management team consisting of the two CAOs from Truro and Colchester and the General Manager of the RECC.
During this Special Council Meeting, many Council members expressed the need for public input on a future governance model for the facility. As a result, the following motion was passed at the December 11th meeting:
By motion of Councillors I. McGrath and D. Pryor, it was resolved that Council direct staff to enter into discussions with the Municipality on continuing to have the Society manage and operate the RECC and making amendments to the Society’s Bylaws as described in the Memorandum provided with the RFD, and report back to Council with recommended Bylaw amendments for Council’s approval.
In making recommendations to Council, staff will conduct public engagement and will include the CEO of the RECC as part of the engagement process. Motion carried.
Overall, there is a need for transparent, accountable management and compliance with municipal expectations to restore public trust and ensure responsible stewardship of community assets.
