Calgary Residents Fund Documentary Celebrating Nova Scotia's Coal Bowl Classic
A Calgary couple with deep roots in New Waterford, Nova Scotia, is making a significant contribution to preserving their hometown's history through documentary filmmaking. Brian and Anne O'Leary, who moved to Calgary over five decades ago, have provided funding for a professional documentary about the New Waterford Coal Bowl Classic basketball tournament and the community's enduring spirit.
Returning to Roots Inspires Philanthropic Project
Despite living in Alberta for more than fifty years, the O'Learys maintain strong connections to their Cape Breton origins. Last summer, they brought their children and grandchildren to New Waterford for a comprehensive tour of the community, including visits to significant landmarks like the Low Point Lighthouse in nearby New Victoria.
"We had been telling them stories about New Waterford for years and years, and they wanted to see this place that we kept talking about," explained Brian O'Leary. "We had painted the grand picture of New Waterford, and they wanted to see the place for themselves."
That emotional homecoming experience solidified their desire to give back to the community that shaped their early lives. During their visit, they decided to pursue meaningful projects that would benefit New Waterford, reviving an earlier idea about documenting the Coal Bowl Classic tournament.
Documentary as Tribute to Community Resilience
The documentary project represents more than just coverage of a basketball tournament. According to Brian O'Leary, the film will serve multiple purposes:
- Chronicling the history of New Waterford and its transformation after the mining industry's decline
- Highlighting the annual Coal Bowl Classic basketball tournament that brings the community together
- Recognizing the volunteers and sponsors who sustain the tournament year after year
- Showcasing the town's remarkable resilience in the face of economic challenges
"This is an important story that needs to be told, and I think the rest of Canada would be interested in it too," Brian emphasized. "It's a story of a town that really lost its industry but still moves forward and still goes on and they come together every year to put this tournament on."
Local Production Company Brings Hometown Perspective
Lowell Cormier, a key organizer of the Coal Bowl Classic, connected the O'Learys with NovaStream Inc., a Sydney-based production company with several employees from the New Waterford area. The company's co-founder, Scott Moore, has personal connections to the tournament, having worked on its livestream coverage in the early 2000s.
"It's like coming home and telling the hometown story, which is nice," Moore reflected about the project. "It's nice to come home and be able to tell that story."
The documentary production began recently with camera crews following tournament organizers during preparation activities. Moore explained their approach: "With this documentary, we're following some of the key characters, and they would anchor the story of Coal Bowl. We'd tell the story of the tournament through the perspective of a select few people."
Tournament Faces Financial Challenges
The Coal Bowl Classic recently celebrated its 42nd anniversary, but organizers face increasing financial pressures. Cormier revealed that the tournament operates on a $100,000 budget that becomes more difficult to maintain each year due to rising costs.
"It's going to become increasingly more difficult for Coal Bowl to sustain itself going forward," Cormier acknowledged. "We're doing some belt-tightening measures to streamline it and to save money without hurting our brand."
Organizers hope the documentary will serve as more than just a historical record. Cormier envisions using the completed film as a springboard for a national fundraising campaign, potentially engaging the approximately 6,000 athletes, coaches, and parents who have participated in the tournament over the years.
Documentary Timeline and Legacy
While an official release date hasn't been confirmed, Moore estimates the documentary will require six to nine months to complete, potentially ready by late this year or early next year. The project represents a full-circle moment for both the O'Learys, who maintain family connections in New Waterford, and for Moore, who returns to document the community that helped launch his career.
The documentary stands as a testament to how former residents can continue supporting their hometowns, even from across the country. Through their funding, the O'Learys are ensuring that the story of New Waterford's resilience and community spirit will be preserved and shared with audiences well beyond Cape Breton.
