10 October 2006
Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island
Residents and visitors may have noticed some improvements
to the Charlottetown waterfront over the past few months.
Government funding announced today will make sure those
enhancements continue, further establishing the downtown
core as a first-rate tourism destination. "Investments in the historic Charlottetown waterfront will
stimulate economic activity in the downtown core and
contribute to the continued success of the city as a beacon
for tourists," said the Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister
of Foreign Affairs and Minister of the Atlantic Canada
Opportunities Agency (ACOA). The Charlottetown harbour was a focal point of the day's
announcements. Minister MacKay announced it will benefit
from more than $20 million in upgrades and improvements,
including the construction of a multi-purpose event centre,
repairs to the Marine Terminal, construction of a floating
breakwater and a boardwalk extension. The project is
expected to be completed by December 2007.Of the total funding amount, ACOA will contribute $2
million through its Innovative Communities Fund. On behalf
of the Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Transport,
Infrastructure and Communities, Minister MacKay also
confirmed that the Government of Canada and the Province
are working toward a contribution agreement to provide up
to $4.5 million through the Canada Strategic Infrastructure
Fund. Charlottetown Harbour Authority Inc. (CHAI) will
contribute $12.4 million, and the Prince Edward Island
Department of Community and Cultural Affairs will provide
$2 million. "Islanders will take a great sense of pride in this project
as it further develops an area of great historical
significance to PEI and makes it a more attractive place to
visit and do business," said the Honourable Pat Binns,
Premier of Prince Edward Island.Today's announcement was made from the new Cruise Ship
Welcome Centre, which is under construction and scheduled
to open in May 2007, before the first cruise ship arrival.
Once a commercial warehouse building, it will become the
first stop for cruise ship passengers arriving in the city. ACOA and CHAI provided funding to the welcome centre for
enhancements that include mechanical and electrical
upgrades, the installation of floor-to-ceiling glass panels
to provide a better view of Charlottetown's picturesque
sight lines and the separation of two former warehouses to
create distinct spaces for industrial and commercial
activity. ACOA provided $500,000 to the project under its
Business Development Program, and CHAI contributed
$200,000. "We are pleased to work with government partners on an
initiative that is so important to the Charlottetown
harbour, which we see as the focal point of downtown
Charlottetown," said Stan MacPherson, Chair of the
Charlottetown Harbour Authority Inc.FOR BROADCAST USE ONLY:There will be plenty of activity in historic downtown
Charlottetown with announcements made today of major
improvements to the waterfront. Foreign Affairs and ACOA
Minister Peter MacKay and Premier Binns told a crowd
gathered at the new Cruise Ship Welcome Centre, which is
set to open in May of next year, that a number of partners
will contribute to projects which will enhance the downtown
core. The Charlottetown harbour was a focal point of the
day's event, with the announcement of more than $20 million
in improvements that include construction of a multi-
purpose event centre, repairs to the Marine Terminal,
construction of a floating breakwater and a boardwalk
extension.
For more information, please contact:
Lynn MacDonald
ACOA PEI and Tourism
902-566-7491
Connie MacNeill
Community and Cultural Affairs
902-368-5829
Stan MacPherson
Chair, Charlottetown Harbour Authority Inc.
902-566-1701
