July 22, 1999
(Works, Services and Transportation)

Province provides funding for new ferry terminal in St. Barbe

Rick Woodford, Minister of Works, Services and Transportation, announced today that the provincial government will provide $300,000 towards the cost of a new ferry terminal for St. Barbe. The announcement follows a Cabinet retreat held recently in Battle Harbour.

The new ferry terminal will result in an upgrading of services that are currently being offered at a local hotel.

Mr. Woodford said: "This new terminal will have a modern design and offers many features for its users. It will feature a parking area for travelers, a waiting room, a ticket office and kiosk, washrooms and a storage area. This will go a long way to address expanding traffic volumes resulting from increased access generated by the Trans Labrador Highway."

Charles Furey, MHA - St. Barbe, said: "This is great news for the residents of St. Barbe. For the first time in our history, we will have a modern ferry terminal to serve the people of this area. This chalet style building will serve as an important piece of infrastructure to boost the economy on the Great Northern Peninsula. It will also meet the increasing tourism demands that stem from the province's marketing of key events such as the Vikings! 1000 Years Celebration, an event that commemorates the 1000th Anniversary of the Vikings settlement at L'Anse Aux Meadows National Historic Site, a UNESCO World Heritage site and only authenticated Viking site in North America."

The project will be funded under the Labrador Transportation Initiative.

Media contact: John Doody, Communications, (709) 729-1983.

1999 07 22         3:15 p.m.