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October 19, 1999
(Tourism, Culture and Recreation)


Minister announces funding for heritage projects

Charles Furey, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation, today announced $415,000 in funding for heritage projects.

"We are very fortunate to live in a place with such a rich history," says Furey. "To ensure the integrity of our historical sites and to preserve the areas of Newfoundland and Labrador that make it special, government has identified funding to enhance existing interpretation, construct new interpretation, and to acquire property to preserve the integrity of our history which is a vital part of our culture. The funding announced today will build on existing investments made by government which help us to learn about and enjoy our culture and inform the thousands of travelers that visit us annually."

The capital funding includes:

Bonavista Lighthouse $130,000

Complete refurbishment of the Bonavista Lighthouse will cost $600,000 and will be completed over a three-year period. The first part of the project relates to correcting safety and preservation concerns and will cost $130,000. Tenders to start work are expected to be issued during the week of October 18.

Point Amour $25,000

Safety improvements including the construction of a fence around derelict foundations, reconstruction of a viewing deck (blew away during a winter storm in 1997), and the re-routing of the road away from the burial mound. The work is expected to be completed at the lighthouse site by December 31st.

Relocating of Trinity power lines $30,000

Restructuring of power lines in order to accommodate the new theatre building in Trinity. A new transformer will be added, a power pole moved, and the new line dug underground so as not to detract from the look of a 19th century historic site.

Electronic Interpretation $60,000

Installation of equipment to allow for an audio component for exhibits at the museum. The first exhibit that will require such technology will be the Full Circle Exhibit in June 2000.

Mockbeggar Interpretative Plan $50,000

To undertake a thorough interpretive plan of this historic site which is located in Bonavista and was donated to government by the family of Senator Gordon Bradley in 1980.

 

Quidi Vidi Battery $40,000

To restore the parapets which were damaged by erosion and subsequently excavated by archaeologists in 1996.

Newman Vaults $50,000

The Newman wine vaults, located on Water Street West in St. John's, are currently closed to the public. The $50,000 will cover the costs to install safety improvements such as panic hardware, emergency lighting, a water supply (for a future sprinkler system) and a sewer system enabling the Newfoundland Historic Trust to open the site to the public.

Loggers Exhibit $10,000

The Loggers' Exhibit, located in Grand Fall-Windsor, interprets the logging industry of the 1920s and 1930s. It was retained by the province when the former Provincial Park was devolved to the private sector in 1996. The funding will be used to undertake a land survey and to install an electrical service to the site.

Highway Signs $20,000

Directional highway signs are an essential component of the marketing plan for historic sites, which are mainly located off the main highways, in some cases requiring the visitor to branch off the main road at several locations. Government has made much progress in the past three years to erect highway signs, and the signs proposed for 1999-00 should complete the need.

Government also continues to support the preservation of sites in which there is ongoing archaeological research. "I am pleased to announce that government will be acquiring property in Ferryland in order to maintain the integrity of the archaeological site. Once the land acquisition is complete, government will move forward with the implementation of the masterplan for the area," says Furey.

Media Contact: Tara Laing, Communications, (709) 729-0928

1999 10 19 5:00 p.m.


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