10 September 2009
Fredericton, New Brunswick
The Beaverbrook Art Gallery is to get an extreme makeover, thanks to the Community Adjustment Fund (CAF), a major job creating initiative under the Government of Canada's Economic Action Plan.
The Honourable Keith Ashfield, Minister of State (Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency), today announced an investment of $1,878,564 for an expansion and renovation project at the Beaverbrook Art Gallery.
"Our government, through the Economic Action Plan, is providing a timely, targeted, stimulus to communities in New Brunswick, to help reduce the impacts of the global economic downturn. That is why we are responding with unprecedented urgency to ensure funding from Economic Action Plan starts flowing as quickly as possible," said Minister Ashfield. "Today's Government of Canada investment, through the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), of nearly $1.9 million will assist the Beaverbrook Art Gallery expand and renovate, as well as create jobs in the community."
The project involves a major renovation of the facility, which includes completing required work on the building, retrofits, accessibility and security system upgrades and storage enhancements.
Over the next two years, CAF will deliver a total of $1 billion to local economies throughout Canada. The total CAF allocation for Atlantic Canada is $100.4 million and is delivered in the region by ACOA.
"The Beaverbrook Art Gallery is absolutely delighted to receive this investment from the federal government. This project will ensure that we have the appropriate infrastructure to house some of the world's finest art treasures," said Allison McCain, Chairman of the Beaverbrook Art Gallery Board of Governors. "We have worked closely with Minister Ashfield and his office on this initiative which will be the first step in the Gallery's exciting program of growth and expansion in this our 50th Anniversary Year."
For more information regarding the CAF application process, please consult ACOA's website at www.acoa-apeca.gc.ca.
For information on Canada's Economic Action Plan, please visit www.actionplan.gc.ca.
FOR BROADCAST USE:
The Government of Canada is providing economic stimulus to give the Beaverbrook Art Gallery a major facelift under the new $1 billion Community Adjustment Fund. The fund, a key economic stimulus initiative under Canada's Economic Action Plan, will help create jobs and maintain employment in communities across Canada.
ACOA Minister Keith Ashfield today announced an investment of $1,878,564 for the Beaverbrook Art Gallery to complete required work on the building, retrofits, accessibility and security system upgrades and storage enhancements. The total CAF allocation for Atlantic Canada is $100.4 million and is delivered in the region by ACOA.
Those eligible to apply include: non-profit organizations; post-secondary institutions; individuals; co-operatives; small-and-medium sized enterprises; First Nations governments; and provincial and municipal governments. Projects must be completed before March 31, 2011. Interested applicants are asked to contact their nearest ACOA office.
INFORMATION:
Erin Filliter
Office of the Minister of State (ACOA)
613-941-7241
Paul C. J. LeBlanc
Senior Communications Officer
ACOA
506-452-3310
Laurie Glenn Norris, Manager
Outreach and Communications
Beaverbrook Art Gallery
506-458-2024
