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NLIS 8 September 6, 2002 (Industry, Trade and Rural Development) Channel- Port aux Basques Gateway Village Project Receives Funding Mr. Bill Matthews, MP for Burin- St. George�s, on behalf of the Honourable Gerry Byrne, Minister of State for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), along with the Honourable Kelvin Parsons, Minister of Industry, Trade and Rural Development and MHA for Burgeo-LaPoile announced today funding support of $460,000 for the second stage of the Gateway Village concept. The initiative is being developed by the Gateway Village Corporation to maximize the tourism potential of Channel-Port aux Basques. Through the first stage, Scott's Cove Park in the downtown area of the community is being developed. The second phase will make the visitor information centre more accessible with a redesigned parking lot that is able to accommodate a higher volume of vehicles and large recreational vehicles. New displays, a Marine Interactive Satellite Technology (MIST) terminal and a multimedia station to promote local tourism opportunities are also being added. "The Town of Channel-Port aux Basques is strategically located as our province�s main gateway for land traffic," said Mr. Matthews. "The enhancement of the visitor information centre is an important step in the development of the Gateway Village concept, and will provide visitors with greater awareness of the diversity and quality of the tourism products offered in all regions of the province." "Our province�s Renewal Strategy for Jobs and Growth highlights the importance of the tourism industry to Newfoundland and Labrador and we are committed to following through on initiatives that support the development of this industry. The Channel-Port aux Basques Gateway Village Project is an excellent way to provide tourists with a single source to gain relevant tourism information on the province," said Minister Parsons. The Town of Channel-Port aux Basques is a major ferry port and is the primary land gateway to the entire province, serving as the entry and exit point for more than 80 per cent of all land-based vehicle travel to and from the province. More than 320,000 passengers travel through Channel-Port aux Basques via the ferry system each year, although only a small percentage currently stop at the Visitor Information Centre. "The Gateway Village Corporation is excited to be moving forward with the next stage of this initiative. As one of the main entry points of the province, Channel-Port aux Basques will be able to play a larger role in the province�s tourism industry, while creating new economic opportunities in our region," said Randy Smith, chair, Gateway Village Corporation. The first phase of the Gateway Village Project received $500,000 under the Canada-Newfoundland Agreement for the Economic Development Component of the Canadian Fisheries Adjustment and Restructuring Initiative (EDC). The second phase of this initiative is being funded through the Canada/Newfoundland and Labrador Comprehensive Economic Development Agreement, a six-year, $94.9 million initiative designed to complement existing federal and provincial programs and agreements. It is administered federally by the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and provincially by the Department of Industry, Trade and Rural Development. Media contact: Olivia Letemplier Doug Burgess Edwina Bateman Randy Smith 2002 09 06 5:05 p.m. |
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