Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development
November 18, 2016
Town of Torbay Enhances Community Infrastructure
Government Investments Help Town Expand and Improve Playground, Heritage Sites and Connections to East Coast Trail
Nick Whalen, Member of Parliament for St. John’s East, attended an event in the Town of Torbay today to announce over $610,000 in community infrastructure investments from the Government of Canada. MP Whalen made the announcement on behalf of Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) and the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Canadian Heritage (TBC). Bernard Davis, MHA for Virginia Waters-Pleasantville, on behalf of Honourable Christopher Mitchelmore, Minister of Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development, also announced $150,000 in provincial funding for the Town of Torbay.
With investments of $447,316 from ACOA’s Innovative Communities Fund (ICF) and $150,000 from the Department of Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development, the Town of Torbay will develop three heritage sites to support tourism development and economic diversification. The sites will offer coastline views, interpretive experiences and heritage education and will enhance linkages with the world-class East Coast Trail.
To help celebrate Canada’s 150th birthday in 2017, the Town of Torbay is also receiving $150,250 from the Canada 150 Community Infrastructure Program (CIP 150) to build a splash pad at the Kinsmen Centre and Park. In addition, the town has also received $18,700 from Canadian Heritage for a number of Canada 150 events to be held in Torbay in 2017, including a hockey tournament and outdoor sports events in the winter, and a Canada / Torbay birthday celebration in August.
Quotes
“The Government of Canada recognizes tourism as a major contributor to this country’s economic prosperity and potential. Tourism creates jobs and generates economic opportunities in many of our rural communities while telling the stories of this great nation. These investments will also provide long-lasting tributes to Canada’s 150th birthday.”
- The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for ACOA
“Newfoundland and Labrador is known the world over for our rich culture, strong heritage and spectacular scenery. Investments like these from the Government of Canada help communities like Torbay make the most of all of these features in order to build strong, diverse and resilient communities, and create jobs. These Canada 150 investments also help improve community spaces and events while celebrating our nation.”
- Nick Whalen, Member of Parliament, St. John’s East
“Our investment in the development of community infrastructure in the Town of Torbay is yet another sign of our government’s commitment to the Way Forward initiative. We are excited to help facilitate this enterprise to support the rich history and culture in beautiful Torbay.”
- The Honourable Christopher Mitchelmore, Minister of Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development
“The Town of Torbay warmly welcomes this funding. These projects will allow us to continue to grow our town’s sense of community, help us attract more visitors to Torbay and help us to truly celebrate Canada’s 150th birthday.”
- His Worship Ralph Tapper, Mayor, Town of Torbay
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Media contacts:
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Paul McGrath Director, Communications ACOA NL 709-772-2984 paul.mcgrath@canada.ca |
Ross Houlihan Economic Development Officer Town of Torbay 709-437-6532, ext 264 rhoulihan@torbay.ca |
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Eric Humber Media Relations Manager Department of Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development 709-729-4819, 725-9655 erichumber@gov.nl.ca |
2016 11 18 2:10 p.m.