Public input to the future development of a provincial historic site is essential to plans to restore the Colonial Building, one of our most treasured structures, says the Honourable Tom Hedderson, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation.

"The Colonial Building has played an integral role in the history of this province, evolving from a colony of the British Empire to become Newfoundland and Labrador in Canada," said Minister Hedderson. "Perhaps more than any other structure, the Colonial Building is a direct historic link to the culture, heritage and political drama that has shaped this province through the centuries."

The public�s input will be sought through today�s open house and information session taking place at the Colonial Building, Military Road, St. John�s from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. The public are invited to view a proposed plan for the development programs and interpretation of the building and offer comments and suggestions. Then from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. APROPOS Consultants will give a detailed public presentation to explain the options under consideration and discuss plans for the development of the site.

"It is inspiring for all involved in this effort to see that there is strong public interest in determining how we will preserve, enhance and interpret the unique historic treasure that is the Colonial Building," said Minister Hedderson. "Government has a large and ambitious plan to preserve and enhance our heritage and culture, which we revealed in Budget 2006 when we committed $17.6 million for three years under Creative Newfoundland and Labrador: A Blueprint for Development and Investment in Culture."

In November 2006 Minister Hedderson announced the appointment of an advisory committee to provide guidance to the Provincial Government on its plans for the development of the Colonial Building. These plans include the restoration of the building and the interpretation of the political history of Newfoundland and Labrador. Members of the committee include, Shane O�Dea, professor of English at Memorial University and St. John�s heritage advocate, George Chalker, executive director of the Heritage Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador, and Marilyn Dawe, an interpretation specialist with Parks Canada.

At the time, Minister Hedderson also announced the awarding of two contracts associated with plans for the Colonial Building. The first was for the development of an historic structure report, awarded to PHB Group. The second contract, awarded to APROPOS Consultants will provide an interpretation plan on the province�s political history. The company will collaborate with Dunbar Studios and local archivist, Bert Riggs.

"This work and the ongoing public input into the process will provide us with a foundation to move forward with the restoring of the Colonial Building and the developing of an approach to interpreting the province�s political history," said Minister Hedderson. "To assist us in achieving this, a request has been made to federal counterparts for a contribution of funding for this very important project."

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Media contact:
John Tompkins
Director of Communications
Department of Tourism, Culture and Recreation
709-729-0928, 728-7762
jtompkins@gov.nl.ca
 

2007 02 21                                                      10:40 a.m.