KITCHENER, Ontario, February 22, 2008 - On behalf of the Honourable Josée Verner, Minister of Canadian Heritage, Status of Women and Official Languages, Harold Albrecht, Member of Parliament (Kitchener-Conestoga), today announced funding for the Regional Municipality of Waterloo.
Funding of $2 million will be dedicated to help build a regional history museum and visitor orientation centre on the Doons Heritage Crossroad site. The new facility will include 20 000 square feet of both permanent and temporary exhibition space. This space will help the Waterloo Region Curatorial Centre better showcase the 43 000 artefacts that currently make up its extensive collection, as well as develop the associated supporting infrastructure.
"This museum is an example of the Government of Canada's commitment to preserving and sharing knowledge of Canada's history," said Minister Verner. "It is important to invest in organizations that enrich the cultural life of Canadians to ensure that they have access to our collective heritage."
"The history museum will be a great addition to the Doon Heritage Crossroads site, and a welcome resource for the residents of Waterloo Region and visitors alike," said Mr Albrecht. "This cultural and historical attraction will be a place to help Canadians understand our past, as well as a bit about the journey that brought us to today. We are all eagerly looking forward to the completion of this new facility."
"The Region of Waterloo very much appreciates the support from the Department of Canadian Heritage for the Regional History Museum and Visitor Orientation Centre," said Ken Seiling, Regional Chair. "Our goal is to create a facility that will help give our community a sense of pride and identity and reflect the unique perspectives and spirit of all those who have and will continue to call this region home."
The Government of Canada has provided this financial support through the Cultural Spaces Canada program of the Department of Canadian Heritage. This program contributes to improved physical conditions for artistic creativity and presentation or exhibition. It is designed to improve access for Canadians to the performing, visual, and media arts, as well as to museum collections and heritage exhibitions.
Information:
Dominic Gosselin
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage, Status of Women and Official Languages
819 994-7788
Maya Kane
Communications Manager
Canadian Heritage
Ontario Region
416 954-6615
