January 18, 2005 Alberton, Prince Edward Island Upgrades are now underway to facilities at eight exhibition and festival locations across the province to enhance the sustainability of these community-based events. The project is being supported by the Government of Canada, the Government of Prince Edward Island and the P.E.I. Association of Exhibitions. The work, which varies between locations, includes improving quality and safety standards for food service, accessibility and washroom facilities at the Prince County Exhibition, Kensington Community Harvest Festival, Crapaud Exhibition, L'Exposition agricole et le Festival acadien de la Région Évangéline, P.E.I. Potato Blossom Festival, Northumberland Fisheries Festival, the Provincial Plowing Match and Agriculture Fair, and the West Point Lighthouse Festival. "These exhibitions and festivals are very significant to the local communities and their uniqueness helps to attract new and repeat visitors to the province," said the Honourable Joe McGuire, Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities (ACOA) on behalf of the Government of Canada. The work is expected to be completed at all locations in March 2005. ACOA will contribute $250,752 through the Strategic Community Investment Fund (SCIF). The Canada/Prince Edward Island Labour Market Development Agreement, co-managed by Human Resources and Skills Development Canada and the provincial Development of Development and Technology, will provide up to $246,508 in participant benefits and overhead costs. The Province of P.E.I. is providing $66,006 through the Community Development Bureau and the P.E.I. Exhibition will be contributing $40,000. The P.E.I. Association of Exhibitions is a non-profit organization which strives to coordinate policy development and promote further development of its 13 member groups. The improvements being undertaken were outlined in a five- year strategic planning and infrastructure report. The plan identified concrete measures to enhance the contribution of exhibitions and festivals to the resource industries, rural communities and the tourism industry. "These improvements will help to upgrade these community festivals which in turn help them to draw visitors from outside the community and outside the province," said the Honourable Philip Brown, Minister of Tourism, on behalf of Development and Technology Minister Mike Currie. "These festivals are great reflections of what we really mean by the Island way of life and I am pleased that these improvements will make that experience available to more people." "We are very pleased that these renovations are being undertaken. The work will allow us to have better venues and to continue contributing to economic development in Island communities. The improvements will also result in more safe and inviting facilities for our visitors,' said Allan Shaw, president, P.E.I. Association of Exhibitions. - 30 - For more information, please contact: Ron Crozier Office of the Minister of ACOA (902) 888-4150 Ann Thurlow PEI Department of Development and Technology (902) 569-0571 Stephen Ramsay HRSDC (902) 566-7686 Lynn MacDonald ACOA PEI and Tourism (902) 566-7491 Allan Shaw P.E.I. Association of Exhibitions (902) 853-3313
