Twelve new beach volleyball courts open in Burnside
Posted Jul 19, 2013 02:14:05 PM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Beach volleyball athletes are diggin’ a brand new beach volleyball park in HRM.
Today was the official opening of the new 12 court venue, which is tucked in right behind the Harbour East All-Weather Sports Field on Commodore Drive in Burnside.
“This is monumental for Nova Scotia, it’s the first time we’ve had a number of courts together,” said David Swetnam, president of Volleyball Nova Scotia. “We really need a number of courts for competitions and charity events. Volleyball Canada has even asked us to possibly host a national competition in 2015, so it’s really exciting to have this type of venue.”
The province, HRM and Volleyball Nova Scotia have each chipped in $100,000 for the venue.
“This is the largest, enclosed beach volleyball facility east of Toronto,” said Michelle Aucoin, executive director of Volleyball Nova Scotia.
The courts are filled with more than 40,000 tons of sand. Before the venue was built, HRM only had two beach volleyball courts.
“This is going to allow younger kids to get introduced in to beach in grade seven or eight, rather than university,” said Jordan Brooks, who will be competiting in Quebec next year for the Canada Games. “I only got in to it two years ago.”
Meghan MacDougall and Hillary Monette have been volleyball partners for six years. They say having the new courts in HRM is huge.
“It’s better than most,” said Monette. “It’s the same sand from the World Championships, plus there’s a divider between the courts.”
The park will be used for youth, seniors, and recreational events.
