HALIFAX, September 28, 2005 - Mike Savage, MP for Dartmouth - Cole Harbour, today announced that a $170,545 competitive contract has been awarded to Gaudet Building Contractors Ltd. of Cheticamp, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, to conserve the Town Clock at the Halifax Citadel National Historic Site of Canada.
The announcement was made on behalf of the Honourable Scott Brison, Minister of Public Works and Government Services and the Honourable Stéphane Dion, Minister of the Environment and Minister responsible for Parks Canada.
"This important landmark must continue to be well-maintained for generations to come," said Mr. Savage. "Congratulations to Gaudet Building Contractors on winning this open, competitive federal contract to renovate the historic Halifax Town Clock."
"Parks Canada makes cultural resource protection and the safety of its visitors and staff the top priority in its maintenance and stabilization projects," said Minister Dion. "This conservation project will ensure that the Town Clock, a rare and treasured cultural resource, continues for all time as a prominent symbol of Halifax's rich historical past."
The project will include the removal and repair of 12 wooden stave columns, the replacement of flat roof surfaces and associated copper flashings as well as window repairs and painting of the Town Clock exterior. The work will be completed November 2005.
The Town Clock officially began keeping time for the garrison on October 20, 1803 and has served the residents of Halifax for over 190 years. A major restoration project in 1990 restored the exterior façade of the Town Clock building to its original Georgian elegance.
The Halifax Citadel National Historic Site of Canada is part of the Parks Canada family of national historic sites. It played an important role as part of the Halifax Defence system during Halifax's founding.
The work on the Town Clock will not affect visitor access to the Site. The stairs leading from Brunswick St. to the access road of the Halifax Citadel will remain accessible to the public.
Funding for this contract was provided for in the February 2005 Federal Budget. It is part of ongoing expenditures to meet Parks Canada's commitment to the preservation of cultural heritage assets.
For information on contracting opportunities with the Government of Canada, visit www.merx.com, Canada's official, public sector electronic tendering service.
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Information:
Brigitte Caron
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of the Environment
(819) 997-1441
Office of Media Relations
Public Works and Government Services Canada
(819) 956-2315
Sheldon Gillis
Office of Mike Savage
(613) 995-9378
Alannah Phillips
A/Marketing and Communications Manager
Mainland Nova Scotia Field Unit
Parks Canada
(902) 426-7388
(Also available on the Internet at www.pc.gc.ca under What's new.)
