Susan MacEachern Memorial Ball Park damaged in Sydney flood

Cape Breton Regional Municipality is assessing storm damage to Sydney's Susan MacEachern Memorial Ball Park, which underwent $750,000 inrenovations this spring.

Allan Clarke, the municipality'sbuildings manager, said hisinitial inspection found very extensive damage.

"Don't forget now, that field was under eightfeet of water," he said. "The dugouts were buried under water, the whole electrical system was buried under water, we have to look at the conduits going into the lights ...All the bases for the lights, all the poles that hold up the fence, the turf, the infield turf, the mound Ican just go on and on."

Renovations this spring includedthe addition ofartificial turf,bigger playing field, new dugouts and bullpens.

Environmental assessment

Clarke said there will now be anenvironmental assessmentto test the soil to make sure there's no contamination. If there is, it will have to be taken away.

"We'll also have to do a couple of test pits on the underground drainage system that was installed in the field ... and make sure that's running free and clear and there are no backups," he said.

Clarke saidofficials have also contacted the company that installed the artificial turf for a further assessment.

'Major loss' to community

Regional Coun.Ray Paruch, who represents the Ashby area where the field is located, said it's a major loss to the community.

"It's gut wrenching. Not only to the ballplayers and the spectators," said Paruch.

"The thrust behind the renovations to the field was to bring in national baseball events here and that would auger well for the business community and the spectators," he said.

Extent of damage not yet known

Paruch said the extent of the damage won't be entirely known until the assessment is done in the next two weeks. He said the turf itself may look fine to the naked eye, but it's important to pull back the fabric and see what's happening underneath.

Paruch said a damage assessment is also being done by CBRM's insurance company and there should be a report within the week.

"Then we have to move over tothe engineering side and there will be further consultation on what's covered and what's not covered," he said.

He said the municipality is pushing to get the problems identified and make the ball parka top priority.

Clarke said heexpects renovations could be done next spring to ensure the field is ready for next year's baseball season. Damage and repair costs aren't yet known.