Bonavista’s Cultural Tourism Cluster Gets Boost

To support the continued emergence of cultural tourism in Bonavista’s economy, the Provincial Government is investing a further $499,000 in the Bonavista Historic Townscape Foundation.

The investment announced today by the Honourable Susan Sullivan, Minister of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development in Bonavista, brings the Provincial Government’s total investment in the Bonavista Historic Townscape Foundation to in excess of $1 million. Roger Fitzgerald, MHA for Bonavista South, along with local officials joined Minister Sullivan in making the announcement.

“The community and local economic development groups, in collaboration with the Provincial Government, see incredible value in the continued development of cultural tourism in Bonavista and the surrounding region,” said Minister Sullivan. “As the industry matures and develops, so too do the cluster of businesses that service its associated demands. The Bonavista Historic Townscape Foundation has been a key driver in identifying measures to strengthen the area’s cultural tourism industry and business community.”

With the investment, the Bonavista Historic Townscape Foundation will complete its restoration of the harbour front, which includes boardwalk construction and renovations of historic properties. It will also finish improvements to the Garrick Theatre – one of the province’s oldest theatres – that will enable the theatre to accommodate conferences and meetings.

“The Bonavista Historic Townscape Foundation is certainly the cultural tourism lead in rebuilding historical Bonavista and enhancing the town’s unique attractions by building new infrastructure,” said Roger Fitzgerald, MHA for Bonavista South. “The Bonavista Historic Townscape Foundation has a membership of local volunteers that have identified an inventory of historic structures, such as the Garrick Theatre, and in partnership with government agencies have been successful in accessing funding to make Bonavista a tourism destination both locally and internationally. I welcome this funding by the Department of Innovation, Trade, and Rural Development and thank Minister Susan Sullivan for recognizing the importance of such investments in rural Newfoundland and Labrador.”

Established in 1998, the foundation was established by the Bonavista Historical Society, in co-operation with the Town of Bonavista and other community groups to protect, develop, and manage the area’s heritage resources. Since its inception, it has attracted national and international attention from architects and historians that have travelled to Bonavista to learn how to properly manage historic resources.

“This is another step toward enhancing the visitor experience in Bonavista, while at the same time improving the quality of life for those who live here,” said David Bradley, Chair, Bonavista Historic Townscape Foundation.

This initiative was funded through the Regional/Sectoral Diversification Fund. This program through Budget 2011 Standing Strong: For Prosperity. For Our Future. For Newfoundland and Labrador has $5 million available for investment. Administered by the Department of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development, the program provides non-repayable contributions to economic development agencies for initiatives that address regional and sectoral development and diversification.

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2011 05 13                                                                                 9:50 a.m.