Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation
August 11, 2017
Federal and Provincial Investments Support Tourism Growth in Brigus
Initiatives being undertaken by the Town of Brigus and Brigus Historical and Conservation Society Inc. will improve tourism infrastructure, enhance visitor experience and further strengthen the town’s reputation as a must-see heritage destination in Newfoundland and Labrador.
The Honourable Christopher Mitchelmore, Minister of Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation, today announced an investment of more than $82,000, and Ken McDonald, Member of Parliament for Avalon, on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), announced funding totaling $279,850 for two projects.
The Town of Brigus is receiving $211,550 from ACOA’s Innovative Communities Fund to implement Destination Brigus, a plan aimed to improve the town’s tourism assets and develop new products and experiences to attract more visitors to the area. The project involves several components, including: creating a Visitor Services and Experiences Map; developing new ways to explore Brigus, including a downloadable audio-tour app and new interpretative signage; enhancing the Lighthouse Trail with new signage, improved parking and trail upgrades; and creating a permanent stage and storage area for the annual Blueberry Festival and other community events throughout the summer and shoulder seasons. The Provincial Government is contributing $39,269 to some components of this plan.
Brigus Historical and Conservation Society Inc.is receiving a contribution of $68,300 from ACOA’s Innovative Communities Fund and $43,300 from the Provincial Government to improve tourism infrastructure and increase experiential tourism in Brigus. Activities include developing and operating a working forge at Pinkston’s Forge that will have a trained blacksmith on site, upgrading the Old Stone Barn museum and establishing new hiking and walking tours called ‘Hike to the Brigus Light’ and ‘Walks through Brigus’.
Founded in 1986, Brigus Historical and Conservation Society Inc. is a not-for-profit organization mandated to help preserve and promote the history and culture of the Town of Brigus. It owns and operates the Stone Barn Museum, Wilcox Gardens, Payne Family Park, Vindicator Park and the Pinkston’s Forge.
Quotes
“The Provincial Government is committed to The Way Forward initiative of doubling resident and visitor spending by 2020, and today’s announcement towards tourism infrastructure and enhanced visitor experience in Brigus will further strengthen this area as a must-see heritage destination in Newfoundland and Labrador. Brigus is a historical area of our province, and this investment will continue to help preserve and expand its place in our thriving tourism industry.”
Honourable Christopher Mitchelmore
Minister of Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation
“I am very pleased to join with the Town of Brigus today as we celebrate this great investment into a cultural hub of our region and province. The Town of Brigus boasts many outstanding contributions to our province in a multitude of ways. Today’s investment is yet another significant milestone for the town, as they work to preserve, protect, and expand on our province’s cultural heritage. This investment is a wonderful opportunity to help strengthen our rural communities as they continue to diversify and strengthen their economies.”
Betty Parsley
MHA District of Harbour Main
“The Government of Canada believes that the economy is the number one priority and, in order to advance our growth agenda, we need to work in collaboration with businesses, local communities like Brigus, and non-profit sector organizations. We believe public investment is an important catalyst that spurs economic growth, job creation and broad-based prosperity.”
Honourable Navdeep Bains
Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for ACOA
“Brigus is a beautiful community with a rich and colourful history and it continues to grow as a popular tourist destination in our province. The Government of Canada is pleased to make strategic investments like these to build on competitive regional advantages and support diversification of our communities. These two projects build upon the town’s existing community infrastructure and offer opportunities for new tourism and business growth.”
Ken McDonald
Member of Parliament for Avalon
“Over the years, the Town of Brigus, has become a very popular tourist destination, especially during the summer months. Our vision is to enhance the tourist experience and lengthen our tourism season. Investments from the Government of Canada, through ACOA, and the Provincial Government, through the Department of Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation, will enable the Town of Brigus to provide more resources to our tourism industry that will help draw more people to our town and encourage them to stay longer. This, in turn, creates opportunities for small business growth and new employment.”
Byron Rodway
Mayor, Town of Brigus
“This funding from the Federal and Provincial Governments will enable the Brigus Historical and Conservation Society to preserve historic aspects of the Town of Brigus and improve the tourism experience in our village. This includes preserving the John Leamon Stone Barn Museum for future generation and operating a working forge that will teach a craft that is currently finding some renewal in our artisan community. As well, we can now offer walking and hiking tours to engage our visitors with something unique and educational and increase their knowledge of our scenic seaside village and its rich seafaring history.”
Dave Collins
Brigus Historical and Conservation Society Inc.
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Learn More
Department of Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation - www.tcii.gov.nl.ca
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Media contacts
Eric Humber
Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation
709-729-4918, 725-9655
erichumber@gov.nl.ca
Paul McGrath
ACOA NL
709-772-2984
paul.mcgrath@canada.ca
Nick Sears
Constituency Assistant, MHA Parsley
709-687-0048
nicksears@gov.nl.ca
Wayne Rose
Town of Brigus
709- 528-4588
brigus@eastlink.ca
Dave Collins
Brigus Historical and Conservation Society Inc.
709- 682-9009
djcbrigus@gmail.com
2017 08 11 11:20 a.m.