Nova Scotia sand to line Paradise volleyball courts

By Chad Feehan Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

December 29, 2023

The Town of Paradise is going off island to procure sand for the volleyball courts that it will build to host its portion of the 2025 Summer Canada Games.
The competition grade sand, which has been approved by Volleyball Canada as meeting specific requirements, will come from Shaw Resources in Nova Scotia at a price of $360,525, including transportation costs.
The limited tender call for the sand was also issued to Hutchens Sand & Mixes, although it did not respond with a quote. Councillor Glen Carew theorized the delivery fee from Ontario would have rendered purchasing it from there unviable.
Of the necessity of ordering sand from the mainland, Carew noted it needs to meet the sports’ regulations and is only available from those two suppliers.
“That sand isn’t available in Newfoundland. We can’t go out to Musgrave Harbour and bring it into Paradise,” Carew said.
The beach volleyball competition will take place at Paradise Park. Box lacrosse, the other sporting competition to be held in Paradise during the games, will take place at the Paradise Double Ice Complex.
Carew noted the court will remain a permanent fixture in Paradise Park after the games are over.
“The legacy courts will provide beach volleyball players and teams with access that meet national standards, helping shape the future of the sport,” he said.
Mayor Dan Bobbet said sand acquisition was one of the first items to be discussed when preparing for the Games, and there will be many more things to do as the date draws nearer.
“We want to be ready for athletes and spectators,” Bobbett said. “We’re just getting going.”

Some $345,000 is allocated in the 2024 budget for the supply and delivery of sand.