Dobson Yacht Club Ready to Welcome More Recreational Boaters

Infrastructure improvements to iconic yacht club in Sydney will help attract more international visitors, and stimulate the local economy

September 9, 2017 – Sydney, NS – Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA)

Strategic community infrastructure investments help enhance tourism growth and economic development across Cape Breton Island. Thanks to an investment of more than $209,000 from the Government of Canada, the Dobson Yacht Club (English only) has completed key upgrades to its docking facilities and electrical systems. These upgrades enable the yacht club to continue to provide essential services to recreational boaters across the island and attract international clienteles.

The funding was announced today by the Honourable Mark Eyking, Member of Parliament for Sydney – Victoria, on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA).

Upgrades to the docking facilities include improvements to the club’s camber, which provides a well-protected area that can accommodate boats with a draft of up to nine feet. This allows the club to attract large vessels that could not be previously accommodated. The yacht club is now well-positioned to host international regattas, which will bring significant economic benefits to the region and help ensure the long term sustainability of club.

The funding has been allocated through ACOA’s Innovative Communities Fund which helps Atlantic communities to develop competitive industry sectors; strengthen infrastructure; enhance environmental performance; overcome economic challenges; and build on their strengths to create long-term employment and economic growth.

This investment builds on commitments made by the Government of Canada and the four Atlantic provinces to drive economic growth in the region through the Atlantic Growth Strategy, which involves targeted actions to stimulate Atlantic Canada's economy, including supporting key infrastructure projects that support long-term growth and position the region to capitalize on emerging opportunities.