10 November 2010
Clark's Harbour, Nova Scotia
Cape Sable Island celebrated the official re-opening of South Side Beach today. Important improvements to the beach infrastructure were made possible thanks to support from the Government of Canada.
“Our government is pleased to have invested more than $11,000 in these improvements at South Side Beach,” said Gerald Keddy, Member of Parliament for South Shore-St. Margaret’s, on behalf of the Honourble Keith Ashfield, Minister of National Revenue, Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) and Minister for the Atlantic Gateway. “Our investment has helped improve access to the beach area for tourists and residents alike, while it helps preserve the local habitat and promote local wildlife.”
The investment, made through ACOA’s Innovative Communities Fund (ICF), supported parking lot improvements, washroom upgrades, the construction of boardwalks and picnic areas and the installation of signage. The improved access and infrastructure will enable South Side Beach to maximize tourism industry opportunities. The beach area is designated an Important Bird Area and features five species of national or international interest to birdwatchers, including the endangered Piping Plover.
The project is also receiving support from the Municipality of the District of Barrington ($3,000); from the Town of Clark’s Harbour ($507); from Cape Sable Important Bird Area, an international conservation initiative ($6,000) and from Sable Fish Packers Limited ($2,000), a local company that owns the beach and leases it to the South Side Beach Association.
“We are very pleased to open the much improved South Side Beach,” said Clark’s Harbour Mayor Leigh Stoddart, who spoke on behalf of the two municipalities. “Cape Sable Island has a lot to offer in terms of its natural beauty and wildlife, and we look forward to building a stronger tourism sector in the coming years.”
Through the Economic Action Plan, the Government of Canada is providing a timely, targeted, stimulus to communities in Nova Scotia to help reduce the impacts of the recent global economic downturn. Since February 2006, the Government of Canada, through ACOA, has announced investments totaling nearly $320 million in 544 projects throughout Nova Scotia.
FOR BROADCAST USE:
South Shore—St. Margaret’s MP Gerald Keddy today announced an investment of more than $11,000 from ACOA for improved beach access facilities at South Side Beach on Cape Sable Island. The investment covers beach infrastructure improvements at the popular tourism and bird-watching area. Additional funding is coming from the Municipality of the District of Barrington, the Town of Clark’s Harbour, international conservation group Cape Sable Important Bird Area, and Sable Fish Packers Limited.
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INFORMATION:
Christopher Brooks
Senior Communications Officer
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
902-426-4790/902- 789-5184 (cell)
Email : Chris.Brooks@acoa-apeca.gc.ca
Leigh Stoddart
Mayor, Town of Clark’s Harbour
902-745-2390
