Sydney, NS
Photographs

The old RCAF Station at Sydney, Nova Scotia sits on top of a hill overlooking the district of Whitney Pier. A sign just within the grounds indicates it is now called “Pine Tree Park”. Within this area a fenced in portion contains the Canadian Coastal Radar Unit.

A Nova Scotia road map containing the city streets and districts is all that is required to locate this site.

Crossing the straight of Canso via the Canso Causeway you should follow scenic highway #105 past the town of Baddeck situated on the shores of the Bras d’Or Lakes.

Crossing over “Kelly’s Mountain” pay particular attention to the view unfolding below you and be ever mindful of your speed as you approach the hairpin turn near the bottom of this treacherous piece of highway in the highlands of Cape Breton.

At exit #20 take highway #125 and follow this road to the end where it intersects #4 highway. Turn left, (ahead of you will see a Home Depot Store) Highway #4 is also Grand Lake Road, a short ways along it becomes Welton Street. At the corner of #28 highway which is also Victoria Road turn right and continue until you come to Old Lingan Road on the right.

On the left as you drive along Victoria Road you pass a “land fill site” and off to the right on a hill you should be able to see a large “radome”. This is where the RCAF station was located.

Coming up the hill the site is on your right and the old guard house with a few rusty bars remaining on the windows greets you as you enter the grounds. Among other businesses located within this park is a facility for handicapped citizens.

Many of the old wartime buildings are still in use today as well as what appears to be rebuilt PMQ’s. Although the “PMQ’s” have been modernized the garages were in much the same condition as when the complex was known as RCAF Station Sydney.

I drove through the park taking pictures and inquired of anyone I encountered for information on the old radar station. A lady who was on duty at the handicapped center told me that building #55 was once the mess hall and had also contained a swimming pool. I spoke with workmen in a welding shop but they were unaware of past activities on the radar station. I stopped near the radome and peered through the fence for signs of activity but only the wind could be heard playing its mournful tune as it swept up the slope from the city below.

I spoke with two seniors as they took their daily stroll through the park but they were unaware that this had ever been a military complex. They also appeared to be oblivious to their surroundings as well.

Time has passed WWII veterans by and I felt that it is closing in on us cold war vets as well.