The Cape Breton Exhibition grounds in North Sydney will undergo major improvements to  modernize facilities and increase the capacity for larger audiences and events.

The community hub, which has showcased the region’s agricultural traditions for more than a century, will host its 110th exhibition in 2026. Overall the project will receive $3.2 million from the city, the province of Nova Scotia and the federal government.

Work at the 2.75-hectare site includes upgrades to roofing, electrical systems, washroom and kitchen areas, fencing, foundations, drainage and more. The Cape Breton Exhibition Society will also be enhancing accessibility and increasing capacity, allowing the venue to expand the types and scale of gatherings for year-round use.

“The Cape Breton Exhibition grounds hold a special place in our community’s history,” said Mayor Cecil Clarke. “This investment will not only preserve a long-standing local tradition, but also create new opportunities to host larger events and evolve into a year-round venue that supports community gatherings, local businesses and the next generation of Cape Breton traditions.”