From dairy maker to marine trainer: The evolution of Port Hawkesbury’s Ocean Innovation Centre

The Ocean Innovation Centre in Port Hawkesbury, N.S., is a hub of potential for marine activity and development. Originally a dairy operation in the early 1900s, the building has seen various uses over the years, including as a hardware store, community centre, performance venue, and candy factory. After sitting idle for a decade, the town and the Cape Breton Partnership transformed it into a space for marine training and innovation in 2020.

The Nova Scotia Community College Nautical Institute now occupies the centre, offering marine training classes to students. Despite setbacks due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the institute has set up a fully equipped classroom, change rooms, lockers, lunchroom, washrooms, and office space within the building. Approximately 300 students have completed a significant portion of their training at the centre in the past four years, providing valuable hands-on experience.

Vivek Saxena, principal of the NSCC Strait Area Campus, emphasizes the importance of the Ocean Innovation Centre in training future marine professionals. He believes that the visibility of students training in the building promotes careers at sea and showcases the opportunities available in the marine industry.

Mayor Brenda Chisholm-Beaton sees the centre as a potential leader in renewable energy, with projects like green hydrogen and offshore wind developments in the Strait of Canso. The recent announcement of a $600-million hydrogen-export program between Canada and Germany at the centre underscores its significance on a national scale.

Tyler Mattheis, CEO of the Cape Breton Partnership, envisions the Ocean Innovation Centre as a space for local marine-driven developers to thrive without having to leave Port Hawkesbury. He believes that the innovative and talented residents of the town can utilize the resources and support available at the centre to expand their businesses and products.

In conclusion, the Ocean Innovation Centre is poised to become a key player in marine innovation and development in Port Hawkesbury and beyond. With a focus on training, renewable energy, and local entrepreneurship, the centre has the potential to drive economic growth and create opportunities for the marine sector in the region.