Innovation, Trade and Rural Development
Tourism, Culture and Recreation
Labrador and Aboriginal Affairs
November 19, 2009
Battle Harbour to Undertake
Improvements
The Battle Harbour
Historic Trust (BHHT) is undertaking improvements to
better accommodate visitors as they seek the unique
cultural experience offered in the former fishing
settlement. With a $100,000 investment from the
Provincial Government, the BHHT will better position
Battle Harbour as an anchor attraction on Labrador�s
southeast coast.
�The continued development of Battle Harbour presents an
exciting opportunity to showcase Labrador�s cultural
heritage and contribute sustainable economic benefits to
the region,� said the Honourable Shawn Skinner, Minister
of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development. �This
initiative is complementary to our work in other regions
and celebrates the distinctiveness of our province�s
history and traditional industries. I am pleased that we
are able to continue to work with community development
groups to advance initiatives that strengthen and expand
the province�s economy.�
Scheduled for completion in late 2009, the BHHT will
restore the existing Kitchen Building located on the
national historic site and add six new double rooms. The
new rooms will be four star equivalent accommodations
and provide a higher standard of accommodation for those
visitors seeking high-quality amenities.
�This latest investment is in addition to the $41,448 in
operational funding provided to the BHHT earlier this
year through the province�s Cultural Economic
Development Program,� said the Honourable Clyde Jackman,
Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation. �Battle
Harbour is a remarkable example of what can be achieved
through dedicated efforts by numerous parties to
capitalize on our unique heritage resources.�
�Through the centuries, Battle Harbour has been a magnet
for attracting commerce,� said the Honourable John
Hickey, Minister of Labrador Affairs. �From its start in
the late 1700s as the fishing capital of Labrador, to
its magnificent restoration and transformation into a
world-renowned tourist destination, the legacy of Battle
Harbour endures. The people of the Battle Harbour
Historic Trust are to be commended for their tireless
efforts and their �vision-to-reality� approach to this
magnificent piece of Labrador heritage.�
Through the efforts of BHHT, a not-for profit registered
charity, the village of Battle Harbour is now a living
commemoration of the life and society created there by
Newfoundlanders and Labradorians. Numerous historic
structures, walkways and work areas have been restored
or reinstated, and a collection of more than 500
artifacts related to the fishery and everyday life are
on display, including a special exhibit on the Labrador
fisheries.
�Completion of this building will provide visitors with
a wide selection of accommodations at the national
historic site and Battle Harbour,� said Gordon Slade,
chair of the BHHT. �It will also expand the services
offered to groups seeking retreats or meeting venues
unplugged from the hustle and bustle of day-to-day
life.�
This initiative was funded through the Regional/Sectoral
Diversification Fund (RSDF), which through Budget 2009:
Building on Our Strong Foundation was increased to an $8
million fund. Administered by the Department of
Innovation, Trade and Rural Development, the RSDF
provides non-repayable contributions to economic
development agencies for initiatives that address
regional and sectoral development and diversification.
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Media contacts:
Scott Barfoot
Director of Communications
Department of Innovation, Trade and Rural
Development
709-729-4570, 690-6290
scottbarfoot@gov.nl.ca
|
Heather May
Director of Communications
Department of Tourism, Culture and Recreation
709-729-0928, 697-5061
heathermay@gov.nl.ca
|
John Tompkins
Director of Communications
Department of Labrador and Aboriginal Affairs
709-729-1674, 728-7762
jtompkins@gov.nl.ca
|
Gordon Slade
Battle Harbour Historical Society
709-921-6677 |
2009 11 19
11:20 a.m. |