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Tourism, Culture and Recreation Innovation, Trade and Rural Development Municipal Affairs July 5, 2007
Town of Harbour Breton Celebrates Official Opening of the Elliott Premises The people of Harbour Breton celebrated the official opening of the Elliott Premises and other related tourism infrastructure developments today with a special ceremony that paid tribute to the many men and women of the community who worked to bring the variety of community-based projects to a successful completion. In attendance were the Honourable Loyola Hearn, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans; the Honourable Tom Hedderson, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation; and His Worship Don Stewart, Mayor of the Town of Harbour Breton; along with officials and citizens from Harbour Breton and surrounding communities. "Canada�s New Government is continuing to get things done for the people of Harbour Breton and the surrounding areas," said Minister Hearn, on behalf of the Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA). "This great tourist facility will make a significant contribution to the growth and development of the tourism industry which is important to the economic growth of the region." "Today's official opening of the Elliot Premises demonstrates the success and ingenuity of the people of Harbour Breton to use all means at their disposal to grow the economy," said Minister Hedderson. "By combining history, art and culture, this innovative combination of an historic interpretation area, performance space and marina has tremendous potential for economic development through cultural tourism. The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is proud to support this initiative." "For the last several years, the Town of Harbour Breton has been pursuing strategic diversification of our economy in response to the devastating impact of the cod fishery closure in 1992," said Mayor Stewart. "Until a few years ago, the economy of Harbour Breton was entirely dependent on the fishery and the processing jobs associated with it. Although the industry is still the backbone of our economy, we realized we had to diversify by capitalizing on aquaculture opportunities along the coastline, and the unique history and beauty of the community and the surrounding area as a tourism attraction." The investments by Canada�s New Government and Government of Newfoundland and Labrador in the Town of Harbour Breton were a direct response to the short-term crisis created when the town�s fish plant was closed, displacing over 300 employees. The various projects undertaken by the town were supported by a contribution of just over $2.3 million under ACOA�s Strategic Community Investment Fund and $1.25 million from the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. -30- Media contacts:
BACKGROUNDER With the closure of the fish plant in Harbour Breton in late 2004, close to 350 plant workers lost their jobs. While the community worked diligently and was eventually successful in securing another operator for the plant, they were in need of an immediate response to the loss of jobs. In response, the Governments of Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador invested just over $2.3 million and $1.25 million respectively in measures designed to immediately address the loss of employment and, in the longer term, to create economically sustainable initiatives, projects and infrastructure to diversify and strengthen the region�s economic base. The project consisted of three phases. Phase I included renovations to an existing building formerly known as the Elliott Premises, which has now been completely upgraded to include a 50-seat theatre and the Newman Company Museum. The first phase also included the relocation of a building known as Pierce's Store. The building was floated across the harbour to its present location, where it has been completely refurbished. It is located adjacent to the Elliott Premises. In addition, a small marina consisting of four floating docks and a kayak launch have been constructed adjacent to both properties. Phase II included research, development, and construction of 11 interpretative stations for placement at local landmarks, construction of a portable stage for use in community events, and the development the Connaigre Head Trail as a nature walk for hiking enthusiasts. Phase III included the installation of the interpretative stations, the development of five roadside stops throughout the community to provide scenic lookouts and interpretive materials for visitors, enhancements to the walking trail and boat launch at Mile Pond, the development of a coastal trail from Deadman's Cove to the lighthouse, and additional attraction landscaping at the various sites. The project also assisted the community to build its awareness of the tourism industry through training and marketing efforts. These projects have provided Harbour Breton with the opportunity to take advantage of the natural beauty and the cultural history of the area through tourism development. The town has a magnificent land-locked harbour and is one of the oldest and largest fishing centres on the south coast of Newfoundland. 2007 07 05 10:55 a.m.
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