January 18, 2005 Tusket, Nova Scotia As the philosopher George Santanya said, ''Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." By extension, a community that preserves its heritage is better able to identify and harvest future opportunities. Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) investment announcements today in Argyle and Clare are designed to support community archival and heritage preservation and enhance tourism potential at the same time. The work in Argyle will include restoring the exterior and renovating the interior of the former Seventh Day Adventist Church in Tusket to house the municipal archives (relocated from the Argyle Township Court House). ACOA funding will also support the hiring of a full-time coordinator for Le Musée Église Sainte-Marie Museum at Church Point. The Honourable Robert G. Thibault, MP for West Nova and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health, made the announcements today on behalf of the Honourable Joseph McGuire, Minister of ACOA. "The needs of researchers have outgrown the present facilities, and the new record storage vault will be humidity-controlled. As well, the support for Le Musée Église Sainte-Marie Museum at Church Point will help to preserve Acadian heritage for residents and visitors alike," said Minister Thibault. "This is an important project for these two communities and will allow them to chronicle the past and build on the future," said the Honourable Chris d'Entremont, Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries and Acadian Affairs for Nova Scotia, on behalf of the Honourable Ernest Fage, Minister of Economic Development. "Having just celebrated the 400th anniversary of the arrival of our Acadian ancestors, today's announcement will ensure that our story continues to be heard." "The result will be new community infrastructure, and additional revenue from increased tourism traffic flow," said Warden Aldric d'Entremont of the Municipality of the District of Argyle. "The biggest benefits of the relocation will be additional working space for researchers and improved storage space, namely a state-of-the-art vault, for records," said Roseanne Blades, President of the Argyle Municipality Historical and Genealogical Society. The initiative also involves expansion of the gift shop at the Tusket Court House. ACOA is investing $125,000 in the project through the Strategic Community Investment Fund (SCIF), to supplement $250,000 from the Municipality of the District of Argyle, and $50,000 from the Nova Scotia Office of Economic Development. In addition, ACOA is investing $34,150, together with additional funding from other government partners, in Le Musée Église Sainte-Marie Museum at Church Point. "Le Musée is the most popular tourist attraction in Clare, and adding the services of a full-time coordinator for one year will help to more fully develop the historical record of L'Église Sainte-Marie and the surrounding Acadian communities," said Warden Jean Melanson of the Municipality of the District of Clare. "This project will help improve our exhibits and enhance the visitor experience," said André Valotaire, President of the Le Musée Église Sainte-Marie Museum. SCIF, launched in 2000, is providing $135 million over five years to help communities in Atlantic Canada to create an environment that encourages and enhances the development of strategic sectors and the adoption of new technology and innovative practices. 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, knowledge-based economy. The Fund is administered by ACOA. FOR BROADCAST USE: ACOA investments announced today included the restoration of the former Seventh Day Adventist Church in Tusket into a modern archival facility for the Municipality of Argyle, and hiring a coordinator for Le Musée Église Sainte-Marie Museum at Church Point. The ACOA investments, totalling $159,150, were announced today in Tusket by the Honourable Robert Thibault. - 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 Alex Smith Communications Director ACOA (Nova Scotia) (902) 497-0537 Ross McLaren Director of Communications Nova Scotia Office of Economic Development (902) 424-4998 Aldric d'Entremont Warden Municipality of the District of Argyle (902) 648-2311 Jean Melanson Warden Municipality of the District of Clare (902) 769-2031 André Valotaire President Le Musée Église Sainte-Marie Museum (902) 769-2511 Roseanne Blades President Argyle Municipality Historical & Genealogical Society (work) 902-648-2493 (home) 902-648-3103
