(Development and Rural Renewal)

Discovery Trail improvements planned for 2000

The Discovery Trail Tourism Association will receive $620,000 to create and enhance gateways, lookout sites and interpretive signage at Southwest Arm, Port Blandford and six other sites on the Bonavista Peninsula. The site improvements are the first phase of the Association�s long-term regional development plan.

Fred Mifflin, MP for Bonavista-Trinity-Conception on behalf of the Honourable

George Baker, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Secretary of State for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), in conjunction with Doug Oldford, MHA for Trinity North and Tom Lush, MHA for Terra Nova, on behalf of the Honourable

Beaton Tulk, Minister of Development and Rural Renewal made the announcement today. The funding will be provided under the Canada-Newfoundland Agreement for the Economic Development Component of the Canadian Fisheries Adjustment and Restructuring Initiative (EDC).

"The Discovery Trail Tourism Association and the Discovery Regional Economic Development Board have clearly identified this project as a priority for tourism development in this region," said Mr. Mifflin. "With major attractions like the Rising Tide Theatre in Trinity and the Ryan Premises in Bonavista, this area has a lot to build on. This project will add significantly to the area�s potential."

"The tourism sector in Newfoundland and Labrador is showing impressive growth," said Mr. Oldford. "We must continue to invest in our strengths if we are to take advantage of increasing awareness of our tourism product."

Mr. Lush added that the DTTA is an organization working to develop tourism in a large geographic area. "The approach of this group to enhance tourism infrastructure in the region will, no doubt, result in increased economic opportunities for the region."

The Discovery Trail Tourism Association is a volunteer, non-profit organization with an active membership of 90 small-business operators, municipalities and development organizations. The Discovery Trail encompasses five geographic areas: Bonavista, Plate Cove/King�s Cove, Trinity, Port Blandford and Clarenville/Southwest Arm.

Funding for the project will cover the cost of materials, equipment and labour, signage design and construction. Eight projects have been identified as priorities:

• Maberly Lookout Site - develop site with interpretation of bird colonies

• Farm Hill Lookout Site (near Melrose) - interpretive signage and rest stop

• Town of Clarenville - interpretive lookout at summit of Bear Mountain

• King�s Cove - whale and iceberg viewing site near lighthouse

• New Bonaventure Trail Entrance - interpretive display

• Southwest Arm Gateway - information kiosk at eastern entrance

• Port Blandford Gateway - information kiosk at western entrance

• Southern Bay Gateway - directional signage, information for Bonavista Loop

The three-year $81.25 million Canada-Newfoundland Agreement for the Economic Development Component of the Canadian Fisheries Adjustment and Restructuring Initiative (EDC) was signed on August 16, 1999. The agreement is designed to build upon the strategic plans and priorities of the Regional Economic Development Boards to improve the long-term economic climate in regions impacted by the downturn in the groundfish industry. The EDC is delivered federally by ACOA and provincially by the Department of Development and Rural Renewal.

For further information, please contact:

Doug Burgess
ACOA
(709) 772-2935

Josephine Cheeseman
Department of Development and Rural Renewal
(709) 729-4570