The Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence, today joined civic officials to celebrate the official opening of the Antigonish Town and County Library. Minister MacKay attended the event on behalf of the Honourable Bernard Valcourt, Minister of State for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) and La Francophonie.
“Last year, through our Government’s investment of over $1.8 million, the Pictou-Antigonish Regional Library began work on a new facility where people can come together to gain new skills, share ideas and access the support of community service agencies like the Antognish County Adult Learning Association,” said Minister MacKay. “Now complete, this unique facility which incorporates green technology features like geothermal heating and a rain harvesting system, is a dynamic addition to the downtown core and business district of Antigonish.”
In 2010, ACOA announced an investment of $1,825,966 in the Town and County Library project, through the Community Adjustment Fund (CAF). The investment supported the conversion and renovation of a 17,000 square-foot former commercial building in downtown Antigonish into a modern public library that offers community meeting rooms and a Community Access Program site.
“The Antigonish Town and County Library has been a project a decade in the making,” said Eric Stackhouse, Chief Librarian, Pictou-Antigonish Regional Library. “The hard work, dedication and passion of those who came together to make this project a success is a clear indicator of the importance of this facility to our community, and the role it will play as a cornerstone for our people.” In addition to ACOA’s investment, the project received funding support from the Province of Nova Scotia through Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations; the Town of Antigonish; the Municipality of the County of Antigonish; the Friends of the Antigonish Library Society and the local business community.
Canada’s Economic Action Plan provided $1 billion over two years for the CAF program, to address the short-term economic needs of Canadian communities impacted by the recent global recession.
For information on Canada's Economic Action Plan, please visit www.actionplan.gc.ca.
FOR BROADCAST USE:
Minister of National Defence Peter MacKay joined representatives of the community of Antigonish today to celebrate the grand opening of the Antigonish Town and County Library, commonly known as the Antigonish People’s Place. The 17,000-square-foot facility houses a modern public library community meeting rooms and space for community organizations. The Government of Canada supported the project with an investment of more than $1.8 million through Canada’s Economic Action Plan.
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INFORMATION:
Christopher Brooks
Manager, Communications and Outreach
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
902-426-4790/902- 789-5184 (cell)
Email : Chris.Brooks@acoa-apeca.gc.ca
