February 17, 1998
(COOPERATION Agreement)

Banting Memorial Park to offer tourists improved services

Banting Memorial Park in Musgrave Harbour should attract more tourists this year with new showers, washrooms and laundry facilities. These amenities will be contained in a new multi-services building constructed with support from the Strategic Regional Diversification Agreement (SRDA).

The announcement of approval for $128,259 was made today by Fred Mifflin, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Secretary of State for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, and by Beaton Tulk, Minister of Development and Rural Renewal.

"Our tourism potential is far from fully realized. The momentum created within the industry by the Cabot year will be a true test of our preparedness to host the world," said Minister Mifflin. "Product and service are the pillars of the tourism industry. However, these pillars rest on a foundation of infrastructure. What we are doing is helping in the construction of infrastructure as incentive to the private sector to create quality products and services."

A lack of suitable campground facilities in this area able to attract out-of-province visitors prompted the upgrade of the park's facilities which consist of 43 serviced and 12 unserviced campsites. The Town of Musgrave Harbour and the Banting Historical Trust Inc. will work in cooperation with the Kittiwake Coast Tourism Association and the provincial Department of Tourism, Culture and Recreation to market the facility to tourists.

"The direct economic impact of these improvements to Banting Memorial Park will be felt in the community of Musgrave Harbour starting with the next tourist season. Longer stays and higher occupancy rates will result in increased sales for businesses in the local area," said Minister Tulk. "This community project increases the opportunities for small businesses to take advantage of increased tourism traffic which is the philosophy behind our support for many infrastructure initiatives we are pursuing within the tourism sector."

Market studies indicate that upgrading amenities, together with a cooperative promotional campaign, should increase occupancy to 75 per cent during the prime tourist season and will help strengthen the economy of the region. Direct employment should increase by three seasonal jobs: two in the park and one in the nearby Banting Interpretation Centre. Construction of the multi-services building will require six carpenters for 12 weeks.

The Strategic Regional Diversification Agreement is a 70:30 cost-shared agreement between the federal and provincial governments. The agreement is administered federally by the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and provincially by the Department of Development and Rural Renewal.

Contact:

Paul Murphy
Cooperation Communications
(709) 772-0219

Clifford Grinling
Department of Development and Rural Renewal
(709) 729-7066