First Battens Placed as Minister Announces Support for Wooden Boat Museum

The Honourable Shawn Skinner, Minister of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development, today placed the first battens on the Indeavour at the Battening er' Out ceremony at the Wooden Boat Museum of Newfoundland and Labrador in Winterton. Minister Skinner was accompanied by the Honourable Charlene Johnson, MHA, Trinity-Bay de Verde, and boat builder Jerome Canning in placing the battens on the Indeavour. Battens are installed on the ship to shape its hull in advance of planking.

The Provincial Government has contributed more than $150,000 to the Wooden Boat Museum of Newfoundland and Labrador. Through these investments, the Town of Winterton has expanded interpretive exhibits, acquired and restored traditional boats, and been able to carry-out marketing activities.

"Many of Newfoundland and Labrador's coastal communities have a long history of being home to wooden boat builders," said Minister Skinner. "Through the hard work of the Town of Winterton and dedicated volunteers, the Wooden Boat Museum of Newfoundland and Labrador captures this cultural activity and is serving as a focal point for economic activity in the community and surrounding region. I am pleased to have joined museum officials, museum members, and the area's residents to mark an important step in the construction of the Indeavour and the continued progression of an important economic development tool."

The construction of the Indeavour is a part of this year's Cupids400 celebrations to commemorate English settlement of Newfoundland and Labrador.

The Honourable Terry French, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation, noted the Indeavour project highlights the traditional boat building craft, which is an important component of the province's intangible cultural heritage. "This project is also an example of how Cupids400, which will be officially celebrated next week, has provided opportunities for communities throughout the Baccalieu Trail region," said Minister French. "The exhibit in Winterton, and a travelling exhibit to be mounted next spring, will bring the Winterton boat building story to people throughout the province."

Opened in 1997 by the Town of Winterton, the museum incorporates boat collection and construction activities and exhibits that capture and interpret boat building in the province.

"The Wooden Boat Museum provides direct employment for more than a dozen people and indirect employment for many others," said Melvin Green, Chair, Winterton Heritage Advisory Board. "The museum's boat research, preservation, and documentation programs, along with its training and annual conferences serve to safeguard Newfoundland and Labrador's wooden boat building heritage."

Since opening, the amount of traffic to the museum has increased steadily and in 2009 it welcomed approximately 2,800 visitors.

"With growing levels of interest in the Wooden Boat Museum of Newfoundland and Labrador, new economic activity is being experienced," said Minister Johnson. "In addition to attracting visitors to the area, it is being enjoyed by local residents who see the museum as a means to celebrate the history of boat building. This collective activity helps lead to greater business opportunities in the area."

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2010 08 12                                                   11:10 a.m.