In the 1970’s, the Canadian National Railway Employees, identified as “Yardmen”, came together to from the Belleville Yardmen 50-50 Draw along the Windsor to Quebec corridor to raise funds to support the Yardmen and their families in need.
Shortly, thereafter, they were licensed and incorporated to meet provincial requirements. The organization grew rapidly along with its fundraising. Eventually they were in a position to contribute millions of dollars towards the construction of a modern, new sports complex for the Belleville community.
The Belleville Yardmen raised and contributed more than $3 million towards the construction of the state-of-the-art Quinte Sports Centre, which opened in 1978.
The new facility opened in 1978 with an Olympic sized ice surface, the largest surface in the Ontario Hockey League. It was eventually named the “Yardmen Arena” to honour the railroaders and their contributions. Signage identifying this facility as the Yardmen Arena was installed on the west side of the building.
Over time it became known as the Quinte Sports and Wellness Centre, which included the Yardmen Arena, now called CAA Arena.
Timeline
April 14, 2025 – Belleville approves $18k more to pay for $43k bronze train and coal/water car from Campbell Monument
$18k was added in the 2025 Capital Budget funded by the Asset Management Reserve Fund.
With the project commencing in 2023 and the long lead times of products, the previously
approved work has been completed as of January 2025.
Fundraising has continued to take place during the construction phase. The former CNR
Tribute Yardmen Committee members are requesting that the city reconsider purchasing the
bronze train and coal/water car located on the top of the monument with the remaining funding
of $34,771.00 including $10,000.00 for the donor wall.
The Capital Budget of $373,500.00, which is comprised of $150,000.00 in funding from the
City of Belleville and $223,500.00 of donated funds was insufficient to complete the proposed
project. An additional $17,929.00 of project funding is required to provide the bronze train and
coal/water car as a feature at the CN Yardmen Memorial.
May 8, 2023 – Request for Proposal receives only one bid from Willow Lee Sod Farms Limited for $650k, exceeding the budget of $325k
The Request for Proposal closed on February 28, 2023 but only one submission was received
for a total cost of $650,147.25 which exceeded the total budget of $324.695.00.
THAT the 2023 Capital Budget be amended to include $366,500.00 of funding for the CN Tribute Monument, to be funded $150,000.00 from the Asset Management Reserve Fund and $216,500.00 from Donations, and;
THAT the Request for Proposal submission from Willowlee Sod Farms Limited, the only proposal received, be accepted for Contract No. RCCS-2023-01 CN Yardmen Memorial Project in the amount of $296,924.00 plus $38,600.12 HST for a total of $335,524.12 and that the Mayor and City Clerk be authorized to sign the Acceptance Agreement on behalf of the Corporation of the City of Belleville and that the City Clerk be authorized to affix the Corporate Seal.
The 2023 Capital Budget be amended to include $366,500.00, made up of $150,000.00 from
the Asset Management Reserve Fund and $216,500.00 from donations.The City worked with members of the CNR Yardmen Tribute Committee and the submission
proponent to identify components of the design that could be altered or eliminated to bring the
total project cost within budget. The eliminated components include the brass train on top the monument, the bronze children figures and the bronze ground cover.
To allow the project to proceed within available funding the city worked with members of the CNR Yardmen Tribute Committee to identify components of the design which could be altered or eliminated. At that time the eliminated components included a brass train from the top of the monument, the bronze figures of children and the bronze ground cover.
By altering and remove these items, a total reduction of $353,223.25 was realized, bringing the
total new cost of $296,924.00.
However, the ground preparation work for the site will ensure that the eliminated bronze train
and children figures can be added in the future should additional donations fund become
available.
March 11, 2021 – Councillor McCaw asks council to match funds raised by CNR Yardmen Tribute Committee
Councillor McCaw asked council if it would match funds raised by CNR Yardmen Tribute Committee, to a maximum of $150,000.
Moved by Councillor McCaw
Seconded by Councillor Kelly115/21 THAT the City of Belleville agree to match fundraising (CNR Yardmen Tribute Committee Monument Funding) up to $150,000.00; and,
THAT the issue be referred to the 2022 Capital Budget
2019 – CNR Yardmen Tribute Committee of Council established
With representation from the CN Pensioners Association, the CNR Yardmen Tribute Committee of Council, was created in 2019 to assist in the design and fundraising for a memorial project
to recognize Belleville Yardmen. Through their fundraising efforts the Committee raised $223,500.00.
September 19, 2018 – Senators sold the naming rights of the facility to CAA
The Belleville Senators have reached a naming rights partnership with CAA South Central Ontario to rename the Yardmen Arena, the CAA Arena in advance of the upcoming AHL season. The agreement is for a minimum of 7 years.
B-Sens Chief Operating Officer Rob Mullowney says it’s important to recognize the rich heritage of the Yardmen and the significant role they played in building the community and paving the way for today’s success. Mullowney adds that the Senators remain committed to the appropriate recognition of the Yardmen’s history within the CAA Arena.
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