13 August 2010
CLARE, Nova Scotia
Rendez-vous de la Baie, a multi-faceted Acadian interpretive centre marked its official opening today, thanks to support from the Government of Canada.
“Our Government is proud to have invested more than $857,000 in this valuable community facility,” said Greg Kerr, Member of Parliament for West Nova, on behalf of the Honourable Keith Ashfield, Minister of National Revenue, Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) and Minister for the Atlantic Gateway. “The interpretive centre has an important role to play in preserving and sharing the history and culture of the Acadian community in Atlantic Canada with visitors from around the world. The Centre makes a valuable contribution as a unique tourist destination for the region.”
Rendez-vous de la Baie is located in the library building at Université Sainte-Anne. The newly established centre offers visitors and residents opportunities to learn about the history of Clare’s Acadian settlers and their descendants. The centre features local food, art and music, genealogy information service, visitor information service, a café, a gift shop and access to the region’s natural environment.
“We have accomplished something great for the community of Clare today,” said Jean Melanson, Warden of the Municipality of the District of Clare. “This is truly a testament to the efforts of the many community-minded partners that have come together to make this happen. Having a place where people in our community can gather and where our children can grow up in a supportive Acadian environment is important for ensuring that the language and culture thrive. ”
FOR BROADCAST USE:
Clare community members gathered today to celebrate the grand opening of Rendez-vous de la Baie, a multi-faceted Acadian interpretive centre located in the heart of Church Point, Nova Scotia. The Government of Canada invested more than $857,000 in the centre in September 2007, through ACOA’s Innovative Communities Fund. Greg Kerr, Member of Parliament for West Nova was in attendance to congratulate the Municipality of the District of Clare on the centre’s official opening.
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INFORMATION:
Denise Arsenault
Senior Communications Officer
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
902-426-9304 / 902-456-3066 (cell)
Email : Denise.Arsenault@acoa-apeca.gc.ca