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NLIS 1 March 5, 2002 (Industry, Trade, and Rural Development) Gateway Labrador receives funding for new interpretation and information centre Gerry Byrne, Minister of State for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), Lawrence O�Brien, MP for Labrador, and Ernest McLean, Minister for Labrador and Aboriginal Affairs, on behalf of Beaton Tulk, Minister of Industry, Trade, and Rural Development, announced March 4 that Gateway Labrador Inc. will receive $710,826 to assist in the completion of a new interpretation centre. The funds will be provided under the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Comprehensive Economic Development Agreement. "With the steady increase in tourism traffic to this province, we must take every opportunity to develop the facilities and attractions that will ensure our guests have a positive experience," said Minister Byrne. "We expect that this year�s Access North campaign will greatly increase awareness of Labrador as an attractive destination. These kinds of initiatives are important steps in improving the economies of all areas of Newfoundland and Labrador." "This new complex builds on the strengths of the area�s tourism product, which generates growth in the region's economy," said Minister McLean. "Tourism is one of our fastest growing industries, and has been identified in our Renewal Strategy for Jobs and Growth as a priority sector for economic development. With the province�s tourism marketing focussed on Labrador for 2002, this is an obvious opportunity to further the tourism potential of the Labrador West gateway." "Gateway Labrador Inc. has worked very hard to make this project a reality," said Labrador MP Lawrence O�Brien. "I�m very pleased that both levels of government have seen the value of the Gateway project, and I�m looking forward to seeing the completed complex opened to the public." Labrador has experienced an overall increase in tourism in recent years. The region�s astonishing wilderness areas, world-class snowmobiling, skiing, hunting and fishing, and historic sites including the Canada National Historic Site at Red Bay, the Moravian Mission buildings at Hopedale and Hebron and the restored community of Battle Harbour bring thousands of visitors every year. The new Gateway Complex, will provide tourist information and house an interpretation centre which will introduce visitors to the rich cultural history of Labrador, with a particular emphasis on Labrador West. The centre will be located at the Trans-Labrador Highway entrance into Labrador, located in Labrador West. "We are obviously pleased with today�s announcement," said Gateway Labrador Inc. president Andy Spracklin. "We know that we have the product here to bring in many more tourists than we have in the past. To do that, it is essential that we continue to invest in the infrastructure that supports the industry. We believe that this will benefit everyone in Labrador." Construction of the complex will commence early in the spring. Gateway Labrador Inc. anticipates that once completed, the facility will create four to six new jobs. The Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Comprehensive Economic Development is a six-year, $95.4 million initiative designed to complement existing federal and provincial programs and agreements. It is administered federally by the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and provincially by the Department of Industry, Trade and Rural Development. For more information, please contact: Peter A.H. Graham Doug Burgess Josephine Cheeseman Bert Pomeroy Andy Spracklin 2002 03 05 10:40 a.m. |
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