Tourism, Culture and Recreation
July 3, 2013
Funding Supports New Manuels River Hibernia Interpretation Centre
To support interactive learning experiences in local geology, the Provincial Government has provided funding of $700,000 toward the establishment of the Manuels River Hibernia Interpretation Centre. The Honourable Keith Hutchings, Minister of Innovation, Business and Rural Development, along with the Honourable Terry French, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation, participated in the opening of the centre in Conception Bay South this morning.
“Our government is pleased to invest $700,000 to support this new educational and scientific centre which will be a vibrant addition to the community,” said Minister Hutchings. “The interpretation centre will be a destination for students, families and individuals interested in a unique geological experience on the natural history of the Manuels River and surrounding river valley.”
The Manuels River Hibernia Interpretation Centre is a non-profit public educational centre located on the banks of the Manuels River. The centre will be a destination for those seeking a unique experience and will educate students and visitors about the geology of the area and the significance of trilobite fossils that date back more than 500 million years.
“This state-of-the-art interpretation centre will showcase internationally-recognized fossils and serve as a tourist attraction and economic driver within the community and neighbouring areas,” said Minister French. “Newfoundland and Labrador is widely-recognized for its fossil discoveries, as well as its natural environment, and the new facility will help cement our province’s reputation as a place to come for those seeking such experiences.”
The interpretation centre will open to the public tomorrow (Thursday, July 4) and will be open seven days a week.
“We’re delighted to open this beautiful new building, which we hope will become a centre for education, science, tourism and cultural events for our community,” said Gary Gallagher, Chair of the Manuels River Natural Heritage Society and the projects Joint Steering Committee co-chair. “We would like to acknowledge the contribution of the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador to this great venture.”
Additional information and hours of operation can be found at
www.manuelsriver.com.
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Media contacts:
| Heather Maclean Director of Communications Department of Innovation, Business and Rural Development 709-729-4570, 697-4137 heathermaclean@gov.nl.ca |
Melony O’Neill Director of Communications Department of Tourism, Culture and Recreation 709-729-0928, 689-0928 moneill@gov.nl.ca |
| Nancy Bennett Manuels River Hibernia Interpretation Centre 709-834-3545 nancy@nancybennett.info |
2013 07 03 11:15 a.m.