The Menihek Nordic Ski Club (MNSC) will upgrade its facilities thanks to an investment of more than $225,000 by the Government of Canada and the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. The announcement was made today by the Honourable Loyola Hearn, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, on behalf of the Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence and Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), and the Honourable Trevor Taylor, Minister of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development.

"Labrador is internationally known for its tremendous winter tourism," said Minister Hearn. "Improving the facilities at the Menihek Nordic Ski Club will provide opportunities to attract new visitors to the province and increase the club�s capacity to host pan-Atlantic, provincial, national and international ski events." 

This initiative includes enhancements to the main chalet, expansion of the office and ski rental building, construction of a new garage to house various equipment, construction of a timing tower, and trail development.  In addition, the club will develop and undertake marketing activities including website upgrades, national and international advertising, and other media placements.

"Tourism is a growing industry in Labrador and we are confident that providing the necessary resources to initiatives of this nature will further stimulate a growing community," said Minister Taylor. "By upgrading the facilities of the Menihek Nordic Ski Club not only will the local tourism infrastructure be enhanced but it will help foster a positive community spirit for local residents and users of the ski club."

"These improvements will help grow the winter tourism product in Labrador West and allow us to continue as a destination of choice for outdoor enthusiasts," said Gerald Rideout,

president, MNSC Board of Directors. "More importantly for our club, is that we will be able to compete with other ski facilities throughout the country and continue to be a venue of choice for athletes, competition organizers and sports enthusiasts for many years to come."

The MNSC was founded in 1975 and has developed into a world-class facility. It has been the site of World Cup events, as well as national and international training camps and was the first ski facility in Newfoundland and Labrador to meet the requirements of the International Ski Federation.  The club is governed by a 13-member Board of Directors and has more than 450 members.    

An investment of $165,679 will be provided by ACOA through its Innovative Communities Fund, which focuses on investments that lead to long-term employment and economic capacity building in rural communities. An investment of $60,226 will also be provided by the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador through the Department of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development through its Regional/Sectoral Diversification Fund which provides non-repayable contributions to economic development agencies for initiatives that address regional and sectoral development and diversification.

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