Veterans Interpretation Centre opens in Riverhead

The Royal Canadian Legion at Riverhead in St. Mary�s Bay is now home to a small but impressive Veterans Interpretation Centre. The official opening coincided with Beaumont Hamel remembrance ceremonies, and Canada Day festivities.

The new centre is one of three projects undertaken with funding from both levels of government through the Economic Development Component of the Canadian Fisheries Adjustment and Restructuring Initiative (EDC). A total of $238,569 was provided through EDC for the centre, new hiking trails around Hare Hill at Holyrood Pond, and an archeological assessment of a military battery site at St. Mary�s. All three elements of the project were identified by the Irish Loop Regional Economic Development Board as being important in the further development of the area as part of the Irish Loop tourism product.

George Baker, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Secretary of State for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, said: "It is very important to all Canadians that we remember and honour those who have been willing to defend us in the face of aggression. I am very proud that the federal government has played a significant role in the development of this important project."

Beaton Tulk, Minister of Development and Rural Renewal, noted the importance of these projects to the region�s long-term development plan. "The Irish Loop Regional Economic Development Board has worked closely with both levels of government to identify projects which fit within a strategic approach to economic development. "

Catherine Walsh, president of the St. Mary�s Bay Centre Development Association said that the new centre is part of a larger project. "We have completed our walking trails and we are just starting an archaeological assessment of a military battery site at St. Mary�s. Together, these projects offer our visitors a chance to learn more about our community, and our natural and cultural history."

The new Veterans Interpretation Centre, hiking trails and archaeological assessment are funded through the three-year $81.25 million Canada-Newfoundland Agreement for the Economic Development Component of the Canadian Fisheries Adjustment and Restructuring Initiative. The agreement is designed to build upon the strategic plans and priorities of the Regional Economic Development Boards to improve the long-term economy of 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:

Doug Burgess
ACOA
(709) 772-2935

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

Catherine Walsh
President, St. Mary�s Bay Centre Development Association
(709) 525-2552

2000 07 04                             11:30 a.m.