News Releases
Government Home Search Sitemap Contact Us  

NLIS 7
April 12, 2001
(Industry, Trade and Rural Development)

 

Funding approved for Gateway Village project

The Gateway Village Corporation is about to start work on the enhancement of the Scott�s Cove Park area of downtown Port aux Basques. Burin-St. Georges MP, Bill Matthews, on behalf of Robert Thibault, Minister of State for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and Kelvin Parsons, MHA - Burgeo Lapoile and Minister of Justice, on behalf of Beaton Tulk, Minister of Industry, Trade and Rural Development announced $500,000 in funding for the project today. The money will come from the Canada/Newfoundland Agreement for the Economic Development Component of the Canadian Fisheries Adjustment and Restructuring Initiative (EDC).

"The Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency has always understood the value of investing in the tourism potential of communities like Port aux Basques," said Minister Thibault. "Clearly this region is working hard to improve its economy, and ACOA is proud to be part of that." MP Bill Matthews noted the importance of the project in the region�s strategic economic plan. "This is the primary gateway to Newfoundland for thousands of travelers every year. The Gateway Village Corporation�s plan for downtown Port aux Basques highlights the area�s history and offers a warm welcome and a cheerful send-off for visitors from across the continent."

The project will include upgrading the entrance to Scott�s Cove Park, enhancing the existing boardwalk, completing the downtown stage area know as "the ship" and constructing several portable kiosks to house retail, entertainment and food service outlets.

"This project creates jobs and helps diversify the economy of Port aux Basques," said area MHA Kelvin Parsons. "With the completion of this stage of the plan, we expect increasing numbers of tourists will spend time here. Whether they are headed home or just arriving, Port aux Basques will be a memorable part of their trip."

Randy Smith, chair of the Gateway Village Corporation, welcomed today�s announcement. "The Gateway Task Force has been planning this for many years and we�re very excited to be moving ahead."

The project will provide full-time employment for four people during the construction phase.

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. EDC 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 Industry, Trade and Rural Development.

Media contact

Jennifer Savoy
Press Secretary
Robert Thibault
Minister of State for ACOA
(613) 941-7291

Doug Burgess
Director, Communications
ACOA
(709) 772-2935

Josephine Cheeseman
Department of Industry, Trade and Rural Development
(709) 729-4570

2001 04 12                            4:30 p.m.


SearchHomeBack to GovernmentContact Us


All material copyright the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. No unauthorized copying or redeployment permitted. The Government assumes no responsibility for the accuracy of any material deployed on an unauthorized server.
Disclaimer/Copyright/Privacy Statement