Study will explore feasibility of new museum at Argentia

Festival of Flags Inc. will develop a comprehensive master plan for the establishment of a Museum of the Atlantic Allies at Argentia. The master plan will lay out an approach to establishing and maintaining a museum which could become the focal point for the development of the area�s rich military history.

Development of the plan, which will also detail revenue generating options for the proposed facility, will be funded through the Canada-Newfoundland Agreement for the Economic Development Component of the Canadian Fisheries Adjustment and Restructuring Initiative (EDC). The plan will include site plans and structural approaches which may be used to attract corporate support for the museum.

Funding of $50,600 for development of the master plan was announced today by George Baker, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Secretary of State for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), and Beaton Tulk, Minister of Development and Rural Renewal.

"The Festival of Flags group has shown considerable dedication to developing the tourism potential of this area. With its obvious links to the American air force during the cold war, and its historic importance to both the French and the British, the area holds interest for thousands of people around the world," said Minister Baker. "This is one step in a development process which will allow us to make informed decisions about the future priorities for tourism in this part of Newfoundland and Labrador."

Minister Tulk agrees. "The rich heritage resources of Placentia Bay offer much development potential for the international tourism market of the 21st century. The Avalon Gateway Regional Economic Development Board also recognizes this and has made the development of a master plan to establish a museum a priority for the overall development of the area. I commend the Festival of Flags group for the tremendous work already done to date, and for adopting a phased approach in pursuit of a regional museum," he said.

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.

It is delivered federally by ACOA and provincially by the Department of Development and Rural Renewal.

Media contact:

Josephine Cheeseman, Development and Rural Renewal, (709) 729-4570.
Doug Burgess, ACOA , (709) 772-2935.

2000 04 14                                                                     3:40 p.m.