Swim in Cape Breton

Are you looking to go swimming in Cape Breton?

Pools

Kiwanis Pool	25 Inglis Street, Sydney	(902)564-4501
YMCA of Cape Breton	399 Charlotte Street, Sydney	(902)562-9622
Northside Pool	82 Memorial Drive, Sydney Mines	(902) 736-1211
Coast Guard College Pool	1190 Westmount Road, Sydney	(902)564-3660

Enjoy Celtic Colours

The Chieftains: The Wheel is Come Full Circle September 11, 2012 This article, written by Celtic Colours co-founder Max MacDonald, originally appeared August 8, 2012 on celticheart.ca, a great resource which profiles all of the organizations working to preserve and promote Cape Breton’s traditional Celtic culture. “The work itself has a complete circle of meaning and counterpoint. And without your involvement as a viewer, there is no story.” – Anish Kapoor We all have certain dates that hold special meaning for us. It is usually birthdays, anniversaries and the like. October 10, 1997 is one of those dates for me. After a year and a half of living in a world where two steps forward and one step back was the norm, this was the opening night of the first Celtic Colours International Festival. The excitement of launching a huge new festival was only matched by the terror organizers had that no one would attend. I suppose there was no need to worry with artists like The Chieftains, Natalie MacMaster and Sharon Shannon performing, but, worried we were. Brilliant Irish accordion player, Sharron Shannon began her set to an ominously quiet audience of 3,000. Gradually, we began to hear the sound of feet tapping in the audience and this built to a wonderful pulsing, unified sound of thousands of feet tapping as one. Game on! The show was full of sensational and soulful musical moments and just when we didn’t think it could get more exciting, the Chieftains performed their magic by including Natalie, Sharon and many other performers in the show that night. The audience was going nuts and we knew that the Festival was now fully born. The Celtic Colours International Festival released its 16th Anniversary lineup in June and I was delighted to see that the Chieftains would be appearing as part of their 50th Anniversary Tour. I can only imagine what musical hijinks they will be up to at Centre 200 this year on October 13. I’m just thrilled to be able to experience them full circle in the same building 16 years after that wonderful night in 1997. See you there! ← Organize your festival schedule with our new Itinerary Planning Tool

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Cape Breton Waterfront Real Estate Listing

Cape Breton Bike Fest

http://www.capebretonbikefest.com/rides.php

The following scenic trails and roads are a must do at your leisure.

We do have escorted rides that will have parts of these trails and roads included in the route.: Cabot Trail, Marconi Trail, Ceilidh Trail, Bras d’Or Lakes Scenic Drive, The Miners Museum, Iona, Louisbourg, and Baddeck.

Click the links below to find more info on these sites. For the full list and descriptions of the escorted rides,please look under the schedule tab.

Cabot Trail
Marconi Trail
Fleur De Lis Trail
Ceilidh Trail
Bras d’Or Lakes Scenic Drive
Highland Village Museum
Fortress of Louisbourg
Miner’s Museum
Baddeck

The Cabot Trail Relay Race

The Cabot Trail Relay Race is a 185 mile/276.33 km, 17 stage relay race through some of the most beautiful scenery in the world... beginning in Baddeck, Cape Breton, over steep mountains in the Cape Breton Highlands National Park, through many small communities around the famous Cabot Trail, to the gently rolling Margaree Valley.

http://cabottrailrelay.com/

History

In 1988 the idea of holding a relay race around the Cabot Trail was created, and 6 teams of 17 runners per team tested out the feasibility of the idea. Thus was created one of the largest and most popular running events in eastern Canada. Now 60 teams from across Canada and the US compete in an event marked by team spirit and camaraderie. More than 1000 runners travel the Cabot Trail which offers some of the most challenging and spectacular terrain in North America.

The race takes place at the end of May in the shoulder tourist season and has done much to boost the economy of the small area, and encourages community groups to host fund raising events at the time of the relay. The race makes a contribution to the 3 hospitals along the race route, and in 1995 was instrumental in setting up bursaries for each of the four high schools on the Cabot Trail.

The race is organized by a dedicated group of volunteers who work hard to ensure that this event is truly memorable for all runners from recreational to highly competitive. In accordance with our mission statement we invite you to be a part of our truly unique event in the name of friendship and safety.

The Cabot Trail Relay Race Legs

Leg	Length	Rating	StartTime	Description
1	17.00 km	3.5	0700 hrs	Start on the Cabot Trail, at the Gaelic College monument, 1.1 km from Exit 11 off #105 Highway,and finish after crossing the North River Bridge, at the church on the left. This is a gently rolling leg with one long, moderate hill rising from 0 to 50m. Great scenery at this time of day.
2	17.92 km	3.5	0840 hrs	This long easy rolling leg finishes at the Clucking Hen Cafe on the right along the North Shore and passes through a quiet, remote river valley with a maximum elevation of 60 m.
3	13.46 km	2	1027 hrs	This leg finishes at Wreck Cove General Store on the left. A rolling leg with a few short hills.
4	20.01 km	5	1149 hrs	The first 9 km are continuous easy ups & downs but the best is yet to come. You must now climb Cape Smokey which is 2.1 km of extremely steep grade. For distraction there is a wonderful ocean view and you may even spot a whale! Relax for the steep downhill on the way to the finish. A couple more hills will take you to the finish at Cape Smokey Ski Lodge on the left.
5	17.5 km	3.5	1349 hrs	A long moderate up to Ingonish Beach, where you enter Cape Breton Highlands National Park, then go gently rolling downhill through the village of Ingonish, with its local traffic and spectators. This leg finishes at the Marianne Falls Warren Lake entrance past the Broad Cove campsite on the left.
6	17.5 km	4.5	1530 hrs	The scenery on this seacoast run will captivate you despite a couple of long challenging hills. This leg climbs to the finish at Cabot High School on the right. Elevation 90m. Be prepared for strong coastal breezes.
7	13.1 km	3	1715 hrs	A rolling leg but the first 8 km climbs steadily 90m and then falls quickly to finish 0.2 km past the Dingwall garage. FINISHING ON THE RIGHT
8	12.36 km	2.5	1834 hrs	An easier leg with a gorgeous view of the Sunrise Valley on the right. There is a slow steady 3 km climb in the beginning. After this you are rewarded by a flat stretch which permits you to soak in the beauty of your surroundings as you run into the finish line just up the road to the old Park Warden Station before you get to the North Aspy River.
9	17.84 km	5	1948 hrs	Time to put on the reflective vest! This leg makes Smokey look like a piece of cake. North Mountain, in the national park, climbs 385m & reaches the top at 6.2 km then falls back to sea level. The route then levels off to finish at Mountain View Motel & Restaurant on the right at Pleasant Bay. Night will have fallen completely.
10	14.7 km	5	2135 hrs	This leg is for people who like running up hills. The first 3.1 km are just to warm up & get you to the base of MacKenzie Mountain (otherwise known as The Snake) and back in the national park. The route then climbs 385m snaking back & forth up the side of the mountain for 6.2 km. It then levels off for the rest of the leg & finishes at the parking lot on the right at Benjie’s Lake.
11	14 km	3.5	2303 hrs	This leg is for the runner who likes to run downhill. The first 5.8 km climbs steadily to an elevation of 460m. Relax and coast down the next stretch to sea level but be on the alert for the Northern Lights. But beware, there are two very steep hills before the finish.
12	15.78 km	3	0027 hrs	Easy rolling leg with a nice view of the Gulf on the right (in the daylight!). Descends from 60m at the look-off to sea level & will be your second brush with civilization as you leave the national park and go through the town of Cheticamp with its Saturday night traffic. This leg ends at the parking lot on the right across from Chaisson Brothers’ Garage.
13	15.88 km	3	0202 hrs	Easy rolling leg through Acadian farms & seacoast to finish at Joe’s Scarecrow & Diner. A quiet peaceful leg for the night owl on your team; no street lights out here. Rises to a maximum elevation of 30m.
14	19.81 km	4	0337 hrs	This long leg begins near dawn and is a 7.9 km level coastal run to Margaree Harbour. The leg heads inland & starts to rise gradually to a maximum elevation of 10m to finish at the Tourist Bureau on the left across from Margaree Lodge.
15	15.42 km	2	0536 hrs	Now that daylight has arrived enjoy the scenic Margaree Valley as you roll along this fairly easy leg which finishes at the Lakes Cafe on the left. Maximum elevation on this leg is 30m.
16	15.35 km	2	0708 hrs	This is the flattest leg in the race. It finishes at the gravel pits, just beyond the churches in Middle River on the left. It rises from approximately 30m to a maximum elevation of 50m
17	18.70 km	4.5	0840 hrs	This leg starts at the two Churches in Middle River gives you a nice and easy 2km before you rise 3.5 km up Hunter’s Mountain on a fairly steep grade to an elevation of 150m. It then falls quickly and turns sharp left to the Swamp Rd, which is 5 km of high grade gravel road. First there is some uphill to the Baddeck Bridge, then downhill to the Court House in Baddeck for the finish.

house for sale near cape breton university

The house is approximately a 15 minute drive from Cape Breton University.  The numerous rooms and full bathrooms would make it ideal for an investor seeking student rentals for both the graduate and undergraduate programs at CBU.

 

Why CBU?

With small class sizes, unique course offerings and programs and activities all year round; Cape Breton University is your home away from home.
Located on Canada’s stunning east coast, CBU makes its home on Cape Breton Island. Population of 110,000 residents, the municipality boasts the amenities of a city, with a welcoming atmosphere of a small town.
In small class sizes, you are more than just a number. Professors get to know their students and will refer to you by name. CBU is a community in itself. Being a small campus helps create a relaxing environment, a sense of belonging and a diverse population from over 50 countries.
With different courses and programs, an education from CBU can be tailored to your interests. From biology, ethnomusicology, engineering, marketing, nursing, education, CBU has a wide variety of degrees, certificates, diplomas, transfer programs and articulation agreements that will suit your education purposes.

Fast Facts

• 75% of Cape Breton students who attend university choose CBU
• Undergraduate degrees in liberal arts, business, science and technology
• Diplomas and certificates in wireless, petroleum, environmental studies, integrative science, cultural studies, education
• Nova Scotia based students comprise a significant portion of CBU enrollment (71% - CB; 6% - other NS; Total - 77%)
• Largest Mi'kmaq community in Nova Scotia
• Highest % of Aboriginal student enrollment of any institution in Atlantic Canada
• Research
  • Two Tier 1 & One Tier 2 Canada Research Chairs
    • Integrative Science
    • Intangible Cultural Heritage
    • Molecular Spectroscopy
  • Chair in Mine Water Management
  • Projects funded by all federal granting councils
  • CFI, NSRIT, AIF projects
• Academic & Research Building Infrastructure
  • Original structure built in 1960's ( A,B,C)
  • 1976 - Campus Centre
  • 1997 - Campus Expansion ( $18 million)
  • 1998 - Tech Enterprise Centre ($3.5 million)
  • 759,000 sq ft of space ($200 million replacement cost)
  • Deferred maintenance backlog of $21 million
• Residence Infrastructure
  • 1990 - MacDonald Residence (146 beds dorm style)
  • 2000 - Cabot Residence (123 beds apartment style)
  • 2004 - Alumni Hall (190 beds - 120 apt. & 70 dorm)
• Endowment Fund has almost doubled in last few years enabling scholarship & bursary offerings of over $1 million

There is a long list of good reasons to study at CBU:
• A commitment to provide relevant, meaningful and accessible programs
• Solid study options in liberal arts, business, science and technology as well as education, health and wellness
• Low student/teacher ratios allowing for excellent classroom interaction
• Small class sizes that are the envy of other institutions
• Work/study co-op programs in many disciplines
• Excellent support services for students with special requirements
• International student services
• More than 70 student societies
• English as a Second Language training
• Outstanding undergraduate research opportunities
• Established scientific and research institutes
• Strong international partnerships
• A focus on innovative technology
• Student exchange opportunities
• A Mi'kmaq Resource Centre
• Three university residences
• An ever-expanding scholarship program

... And an opportunity to cheer on the Capers - winners and contenders for numerous national championships!

About Sydney and Area

The Cape Breton Regional Municipality (CBRM) is made up of five neighboring towns and cities: Sydney, Sydney Mines, North Sydney, New Waterford and Glace Bay, with Sydney acting as the largest urban centre on Cape Breton Island.
With a population of over 100, 000 Sydney has all the amenities of a big city, and the warmth and hospitality of a small town. Located on the eastern side of Cape Breton Island, Sydney is the best of both worlds. It is steeped in a rich cultural heritage yet is also serves a modern and innovative business community.
Sydney is also home to the World's Largest Fiddle and plays host to a countless number of festivals and events throughout the year. Once linked to the lucrative steel industry Sydney now thrives as a popular tourist destination for cruise ships and global visitors.
In 2008, Cape Breton Island was ranked among the Top 10 Islands in the World by Travel Leisure Magazine, as well as being previously ranked the #2 Sustainable Tourism Destination by National Geographic Traveler Magazine. Home to the world renowned Cabot Trail, Cape Breton Island's breathtaking scenery will leave an imprint on your heart.

Sites:

Sydney and surrounding areas also boasts several well known sites and attractions that are frequented by tourists and local community members alike.

• The World's Largest Fiddle made of solid steel and weighing ten tonnes. Its height reaches an amazing 16.5 meters and actually plays fiddle music. Located at the Sydney Marine Terminal, the World's Largest Fiddle is an excellent photo backdrop.
• The Cabot Trail named for John Cabot, loops around the Cape Breton Highlands and offers awe-inspiring scenic views of the Atlantic Ocean.
• The Fortress of Louisburg National Historic Park located just outside of Sydney in Louisburg. Visitors travel back in time to experience what life was like in the 1700's.

Restaurants and Club/Bars in Sydney

The variety of restaurants in Sydney ensures that there is something to suit everyone's tastes. Whether you feel like Chinese cuisine, Italian dishes, or the upbeat atmosphere of an Irish Pub you will definitely find what you're looking for.
Some of Sydney's restaurants include:

• Allegro Grill and Deli
• Boston Pizza
• Eastside Mario's
• Flavor
• Hong Fa
• Joe's Warehouse
• Mescalero's Open Grill Steak House
• Swiss Chalet

When the sun goes down and the studying is done there are also an eclectic group of clubs and lounges for those over 19 to explore. From easy lounging, to dancing all night long, to battle of the bands let the fun times begin.
Some of Sydney's bars/pubs/clubs include:

• Governors Pub and Eatery
• Capri Cabaret
• Daniel's
• Maxwell's Lounge
• The Pit

Attractions:

In Sydney there is always something to do. Whether its summer, winter, spring or fall there will always be something new to experience or something trusted to fall back on. From going to the movies to learning a new sport, it can be arranged in Sydney.

• When in Sydney you are never more than twenty minutes away from one of its beautiful beaches. From Kennington Cove, to Mira Gut, to Dominion Beach try them all and find your favorite.
• If you're into skiing or snowboarding Ski Ben Eoin has what you're looking for. For both beginner's and pro's Ski Ben Eoin has what it takes to make winter sports fun for everyone.
• Two Rivers Wildlife Park is located in Marion Bridge and is open 364 days a year. They have over 50 species of animals both native to Cape Breton and non-native to Cape Breton. They also offer swimming in the Mira River, hiking/cross-country ski trails, wagon/sleigh rides, fish hatchery and U-fish ponds.
• Join the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) - Cape Breton Screaming Eagles at Centre 200 for a home game. Cheer on the boys with your friends and keep an out for CBU's own Night at the Nest Night.
• Cape Breton is also known for some of the best golf courses in the world. The avid golfer can walk directly across the CBU campus to tee off at Lingan Golf and Country Club or explore any one of the greens recognized by Golf Cape Breton.

Other activities to look for in Sydney:

• Ten theatres Empire Theatre Cinema
• Tennis courts, Centre 200, local ice arenas, gyms and fitness centres
• 2 shopping centres
• The Savoy Theatre for concert listings

Moving to Cape Breton Island, Canada

Welcome to Cape Breton Island

Considered one of the most beautiful islands in the world, Cape Breton stands alone as Nova Scotia’s masterpiece.

Our way of life is truly unique. For centuries, Cape Breton Island has been influenced by an influx of Newcomers from all over the world creating a mosaic of cultures and an exceptionally rich society. Our economy, beautiful land and friendly people provide Newcomers with the opportunity to live a full and rich life.

Cape Breton is often described as a community of communities made up of Newcomers past and present. The close proximity of rural areas and urban centres on the Island provides an enhanced quality of life allowing you to experience the best of both worlds.

Cape Breton County Economic Development Authority in partnership has created this website through the Citizenship and Immigration Canada's Going to Canada Portal Initiative and the Nova Scotia Office of Immigration to assist Newcomers to Cape Breton through the settlement process by providing information and direction.

A Newcomer is:

• Someone from another country outside of Canada
• Someone from another Canadian province outside of Nova Scotia
• Someone from the mainland of Nova Scotia
• A Cape Breton Expatriate