Innovation, Trade and Rural Development
May 4, 2007

New Visitor Centre in Portugal Cove South Officially Opens Its Doors

A new visitor orientation centre in Portugal Cove South on the Avalon Peninsula�s southern shore will help boost tourism and promote natural and historic attractions that include a world-renowned fossil site and the wireless station that received the Titanic�s last distress call.

"Canada`s New Government takes great pride in helping the people of Newfoundland and Labrador develop opportunities that creates jobs and strengthens the economy, " said Fabian Manning, MP for Avalon, on behalf of the Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA). "This new visitor centre will make an important contribution to the development of our tourism industry in an area noted for its rich natural, cultural and historic resources."

Funding for the centre included an investment of $922,219 from the Government of Canada through the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency ($717,647) and Service Canada ($204,572), and a $160,120 contribution from the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador through the departments of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development ($150,000) and Municipal Affairs ($10,000).

"We are very proud of our natural and cultural heritage and want people to know about it," said Clarence Molloy, Mayor of Portugal Cove South. "This new centre is essential to development of our tourism infrastructure here on the southern Avalon. It will help attract more visitors to our area and we can offer them a full range of services."

The Portugal Cove South area has major tourist attractions including the Cape Race Light Station National Historical Site, the Marconi Wireless Station and the Mistaken Point Ecological Reserve, which has been short-listed for UNESCO World Heritage Designation. Mistaken Point is one of the most significant fossil sites in the world.

"The people of this area are very excited about and quite proud of this ancient fossil site, the historic significance of the Cape Race Lighthouse, the spectacular coastal scenery, the great variety of wildlife and our rich history," said Gertie Molloy, chair of the Cape Race-PCS Heritage Inc. "Having such a wealth of natural and historic attractions on our doorstep is awe-inspiring. The new centre is a great source of pride and pleasure for our residents."

"This new visitor information centre and its attractions, ranging from early 20th century technology to natural history exhibits, will appeal to a broad audience and will add to the cultural attractions of our province," said the Honourable Trevor Taylor, Minister of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development. "The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is pleased to support this project."

The centre has an orientation reception area, washrooms, a first aid room and a gift shop with quality crafts, artwork, giftware and many souvenirs of Cape Race and Mistaken Point Ecological Reserve.

The project represents a partnership effort that involved paleontologists and other scientists, federal and provincial governments and people from the local area.

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Media contacts:

Gertie Molloy
Cape Race-PCS Heritage Inc.
Portugal Cove South
709-438-1100
Julie Afonso
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
709-772-2984
Lynn Evans
Director of Communications
Department of Innovation, Trade and Rural
Development
709-729-4570, 690-6290
lynnevans@gov.nl.ca
 

2007 05 04                                                     2:45 p.m.

 


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