Municipal Affairs
Tourism, Culture and Recreation
March 11, 2010
Town of Cupids to
Receive $1.5 Million for Municipal Improvements
In support of the 400th
anniversary celebrations planned for August in Cupids,
the Provincial Government is providing a $1.5 million
municipal capital works investment to the Town of
Cupids. Funding will support a sewer system upgrade,
beautification improvements, and increases the
province's financial support for the anniversary
celebrations and related activities to $5.3 million.
"The celebrations in Cupids will mark a historic
milestone, and provide an incredible opportunity to
showcase our province's rich culture and heritage," said
the Honourable Tom Hedderson, Minister of Municipal
Affairs (Acting). "This funding will support landscaping
and cleanup efforts, and secure municipal infrastructure
to ensure that the town is well-prepared for anniversary
celebrations planned for this summer."
Funding will support upgrades to the sewer system on
Seaforest Drive, improvements to Pointe Beach, and the
Three Flags Viewing Platform. Work is expected to be
completed by early summer.
"The Cupids400 celebrations will focus national and
international attention on this historic community – the
first English colony established in Canada," said the
Honourable Terry French, Minister of Tourism, Culture
and Recreation. "This funding, and funding provided for
the construction of the Cupids Legacy Centre, will
enable the town to celebrate in style, and to have a
lasting heritage and tourism attraction that will ensure
long-term economic benefit to Cupids and the entire
region."
The state-of-the-art Cupids Legacy Centre, the future
home of the Cupids museum, will feature interpretative
exhibits focusing on Newfoundland and Labrador's early
English history, a history/genealogical resource centre,
and a multi-purpose hall. It will also house an
archaeology lab and more than 150,000 artifacts
uncovered since 1995 at the Cupids Cove Plantation
Archaeological Site.
"This is a very significant and worthwhile investment in
our town," said Ronald Laracy, Mayor, Town of Cupids.
"It will enable the Town of Cupids to prepare for the
thousands of visitors coming to our town this year and
will benefit all residents in future years."
John Guy of Bristol, England, along with 38 colonists,
arrived at Cupids – then known as Cupers Cove – in
August 1610. The events around the 400th anniversary
celebrations in Cupids this year, which will culminate
in a week of activities from August 17-22, are projected
to inject $15 million into the provincial economy.
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Media contacts:
2010 03 11
10:05 a.m.
