The design aspiration for the Sydney Mines Community Centre was to create a building that would evoke a strong sense of community identity, pride, and tradition. Response from the residents of Sydney Mines has been very exuberant.

In order to pay homage to the history of this mining community, the TDC team chose a design that was reminiscent of Cape Breton’s Celtic heritage. Appropriating the architectural language of architect William Critchlow Harris (1854-1913), the building design features round towers, bold colours, and traditional Celtic motifs.

This unique structure on the Cape Breton landscape articulates both the cultural roots of the community, and the contemporary, lively presence of the residents of Sydney Mines.