November 29, 2004 Clark's Harbour, Nova Scotia On an island, boats represent a whole new level of importance. So when the community-minded citizens of Clark's Harbour on Cape Sable Island started fishing for ideas to increase tourism, they decided to build on their strengths-with fishing as a hook, and the Cape Sable Island boat as their bait. As a result, the first floor of the Seaside Heritage Centre and Interpretative Site has undergone enhancements to its attractions with the centrepiece being the construction and display of a 20-foot scale model Cape Sable Island boat. The Honourable Robert G. Thibault, MP for West Nova today congratulated the Centre on behalf of the Honourable Joseph McGuire, Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA). "This type of boat has become the ‘boat of choice' for fishing fleets around the globe," MP Thibault said. "Clark's Harbour was very strategic in its choice of focus for this investment," he added. "ACOA's goal is to help communities draw on their assets." ACOA's Strategic Community Investment Fund (SCIF) contribution of $19,163 also enabled the creation of interpretative panels on topics ranging from lighthouses to prominent local personalities, as well as an informational brochure and video. The Town of Clark's Harbour fully supported the project and provided the balance of financing ($8,334). "The completion of this project will help visitors to obtain a better sense of what the fishing and boatbuilding industries have traditionally meant to the region and will further expose tourists to the culture, lifestyle and history of Clark's Harbour and the Cape Sable area," said Mayor Leigh Stoddart of Clark's Harbour. The improvements to the first floor will allow the Centre to house, in off-peak months, community events such as craft fairs, quilting demonstrations and presentations by storytellers and animators. The project also involved the employment of a Project Co-ordinator during construction and two part-time interpretative guides during the summer of 2004. Announced in 2000, SCIF is providing $135 million over five years to help communities in Atlantic Canada create an environment that encourages and enhances the development of strategic sectors. SCIF is a component of the Atlantic Investment Partnership, a five-year Government of Canada initiative designed to help Atlantic Canadians compete in the global economy. The Fund is administrated by ACOA. FOR BROADCAST USE Another Cape Sable Island boat on Cape Sable Island might not seem like news, but to the people of Clark's Harbour, this one is special. The Seaside Heritage Centre and Interpretative Site is the home of a new 20-foot scale model of the boat that has become the model for fishing fleets around the world. Robert G. Thibault, MP for West Nova, today congratulated the Centre on behalf of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency for improvements including the Cape Sable Island model boat, new interpretative panels, an informational brochure and video. ACOA's contribution was over $19,000. - 30 - For more information, please contact: Valérie Poulin Director of Communications Office of the Honourable Joseph McGuire Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (613) 941-7241 David Harrigan Media Relations Officer ACOA (Nova Scotia) (902) 426-4238 Mayor Leigh Stoddart Town of Clark's Harbour (902) 745-2390
