13 August 2010
Dundas, Prince Edward Island
Thanks to the federal and provincial governments, the new dining hall and convention complex at the Dundas Plowing Match Fair Grounds, now officially named Heritage Hall and Plowman’s Hall, is allowing the community to diversify the use of the grounds year-round while enabling them to successfully continue to develop and grow their tourism offering.
On hand for the grand opening ceremony today were the Honourable Mike Duffy, Senator for Prince Edward Island (Cavendish), 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, MLA Buck Watts, Tracadie – Hillsborough Park, representing the Honourable Allan Campbell, PEI Minister of Innovation and Advanced Learning, and Mrs. Sandra Hodder-Acorn, President of the Provincial Plowing Match and Agricultural Fair Association Inc.
“Our government continues to make investments in infrastructure that keep our rural communities vibrant and strong,” said Senator Duffy. “Through ACOA, we provided $95,000 to this expansion project, which enhances the Dundas Plowing Match and gives tourists yet another reason to visit Dundas.”
The project involved the construction of a new dining hall and convention complex and upgrades to the site’s septic system. The new dining hall and convention complex increases the facility’s service capacity, allowing the space to be used for multiple activities simultaneously. It also provides an indoor location for events and gatherings.
“This plowing match is not just an important festival, it is a chance for all Islanders to connect with the Island community’s agricultural roots. This investment will help sustain the Dundas Plowing Match and creates an important piece of local infrastructure for community gatherings,” said Minister Campbell. “Expanding rural tourism and working with community groups like the the Provincial Plowing Match and Agricultural Fair Association is an important part of our government’s Rural Action Plan.”
The Government of Prince Edward Island provided $224,000 from the Department of Innovation and Advanced Learning (Skills PEI) and $30,000 from the Department of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Rural Development.
“With the completion of this project and the funding we received, our community has tremendous opportunities to host numerous events,” said Mrs. Hodder-Acorn. “Each event we host has an economic and social impact on our community. This expansion will be an asset for our fair as well as provide more opportunity to educate the younger generation on our agricultural traditions.”
This year marks the 70th Anniversary of the Provincial Plowing Match and Agricultural Fair, locally known as the Dundas Plowing Match. The Plowing Match runs from August 25 to 29, 2010.
The Dundas Plowing Match held a naming contest to identify the two buildings within the Convention Complex. Along with the newly completed dining hall, renovations were completed on an exhibit hall in 2007. The Association received close to 30 entries during the 30-day contest and the winning names are Heritage Hall for the exhibit hall and Plowman’s Hall for the new dining hall.
FOR BROADCAST USE:
The fair grounds at the Dundas Plowing Match have expanded to include a new dining hall and convention complex. The Provincial Plowing Match and Agricultural Fair received close to $350,000 in funding from the federal and provincial governments to construct the new facilities and upgrade the septic system.
PEI Senator Mike Duffy and MLA Buck Watts were on site for the official opening and naming ceremony. The Provincial Plowing Match and Agricultural Fair held an online naming contest for the new buildings within the Convention Complex. The winning entries are Heritage Hall and Plowman’s Hall. The Dundas Plowing Match runs from August 25 to 29, 2010.
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INFORMATION:
Cindy Roy
ACOA PEI & Tourism
902-566-7569
Ron Ryder
Department of Innovation and Advanced Learning
902-620-3774
Sandra Hodder-Acorn
Provincial Plowing Match and Agricultural Fair Inc.
902-583-2723
