The Manuels River Natural Heritage Society will build on the tremendous tourism potential of the Manuels River linear park with an investment from the Government of Canada to construct a new visitor and education centre at Manuels River. The funding was announced today by the Honourable Peter Penashue, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and President of the Queen’s Privy Council of Canada, on behalf of the Honourable Bernard Valcourt, Minister of State for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) and Minister of State for La Francophonie.
“The Government of Canada is pleased to support this unique initiative that will strengthen local community infrastructure by enhancing the tourism potential of the region,” said Minister Penashue. “The project will complement the area's existing tourism infrastructure and provide a significant boost to the economy of the Conception Bay South area with spin off benefits to businesses that service the tourist trade.”
The Visitor and Education Centre will be a two-storey structure and will contain exhibits highlighting the Manuels River trilobite fossils and other historical river information, as well as various provincial and regional science displays. The facility will also house a multi- purpose classroom and a research and fossil storage area.
The Centre’s programming will place a strong emphasis on resource conservation and environmental stewardship, integrating geo-tourism and eco-tourism approaches to interpret the natural and cultural history of the park.
The Town of Conception Bay South, with support from ACOA, completed a tourism development plan in 2002. As part of this strategy, a number of key projects and initiatives were identified as having the greatest potential to enhance and build capacity in the area’s tourism sector. The study identified the Manuels River Education and Visitors Centre as a priority project.
“The Manuels River Linear Park receives more than 70,000 users annually with visitors from more than 100 countries,” said Doug Russell, co-chair of the Manuels River Natural Heritage Society. “While many visitors come to learn about the geological and paleontological history of the river, many local
people from the area also enjoy the peace and tranquility of the 6.5 km of developed trails, walkways, bridges in the river valley. We are excited about the potential that the new visitor and education centre will open up for all of our visitors.”
ACOA is investing $700,000 through the Innovative Communities Fund to assist with the building of the new centre. The Agency has also invested $14,600 through the Business Development Program towards a study to analyze and determine the viability of the centre.
The $4.18 million project is the result of a partnership between the federal, provincial and municipal governments; as well as the private sector and the community. Funders include ACOA; the provincial Department of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development; the Town of Conception Bay South; Hibernia Management and Development Company Ltd.; the Rotary Club of Northeast Avalon; and the Manuels River Natural Heritage Society. FOR BROADCAST USE:
The Government of Canada, through the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, will help fund the construction of a new $4.1 million visitor and education centre at Manuels River in Conception Bay South. The Centre will be a two-storey structure and will contain exhibits highlighting the Manuels River trilobite fossils and other historical river information. In addition, the facility will house various provincial and regional science displays and include a multi-purpose classroom and a research and fossil storage area. The Centre’s programming will place a strong emphasis on resource conservation and environmental stewardship, integrating geo- tourism and eco-tourism approaches to interpret the natural and cultural history of the park.
The funding of $700,000 from ACOA was announced today by Minister Peter Penashue, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and President of the Queen’s Privy Council of Canada on behalf of ACOA Minister Bernard Valcourt. Other funding partners include the provincial Department of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development; the Town of Conception Bay South; Hibernia Management and Development Company Ltd; the Rotary Club of Northeast Avalon; and the Manuels River Natural Heritage Society.
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INFORMATION:
Doug Burgess
Director, Public Affairs
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
709-772-2935
Nancy Bennett
Communications
Manuels River Natural Heritage Society
709-834-3545
