Fort Erie, Ontario, July 1, 2011 – As one of the highlights of Canada Day celebrations taking place in Fort Erie today, The Niagara Parks Commission officially unveiled their brand new visitor’s centre at Old Fort Erie, part of the Commission’s War of 1812 heritage building collection.
Old Fort Erie cemented itself in the history of Canada as the site of numerous violent clashes during the War of 1812. The fort is now managed as a heritage and tourist destination by The Niagara Parks Commission. Joint federal and provincial investments in the site have resulted in the development of a new visitor’s centre including exhibit areas, a theatre, archive workspace, public restrooms and additional storage space. The enhanced site will also improve the unique siege experience for visitors and allow the facility to extend its visitation season in preparation for the Bicentennial commemorations of the War of 1812.
“Our Government’s partnership with The Niagara Parks Commission demonstrates our commitment to supporting the cultural infrastructure that helped shape our history,” said the Honourable Rob Nicholson, Member of Parliament for Niagara Falls, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada. “Investing in our past is an investment in our future, and the improvements to Old Fort Erie will continue to make the experience for visitors a memorable one for many more years to come.”
“With the War of 1812 Bicentennial just around the corner, our government is proud to invest in important heritage sites like Old Fort Erie,” said Niagara Falls MPP Kim Craitor. “This investment will provide visitors with an enhanced experience and help ensure that the lessons and legacy of the War of 1812 will continue to be recognized for generations to come.”
According to Janice Thomson, Interim Chair of The Niagara Parks Commission, “There can be no better day to celebrate the opening of this new Centre, than on July 1, Canada Day. This day carries with it special meaning – a time when we are to reflect on what it means to be Canadian. A time when we should look back and reflect upon the efforts and sacrifices made by those Heroes and Legends of the past and the important role they played in the development of this proud nation. It is in tribute to them that Niagara Parks has committed itself to the preservation and enhancement of these historic sites to properly showcase them for all Canadians.”
The total eligible project cost is $8.94 million for the entire Niagara Parks Commission – War of 1812 project. The governments of Canada and Ontario have each committed $4.47 million toward the War of 1812 project, which includes the new visitor’s centre at Old Fort Erie, as well as the restoration of the Laura Secord Homestead and McFarland House.
Federal funding for this project comes from the Government of Canada’s $4-billion Infrastructure Stimulus Fund, which is supporting over 4,100 infrastructure projects across the country.
Over the last couple of months, Ontario had an increase of 38,000 jobs and the unemployment rate declined to 7.9 per cent.
For additional information about investments in infrastructure, visit www.creatingjobs.gc.ca.
For further information about Canada’s Economic Action Plan, visit www.actionplan.gc.ca.
For more information on how Ontario is revitalizing its infrastructure, visit ontario.ca/infrastructure.
For more information about Old Fort Erie, visit www.niagaraparks.com/old-fort-erie/index.html.
Contacts:
Vanessa Schneider
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities
613-991-0700
Ron Planche
Office of Kim Craitor, MPP
905-401-5699
Tony Baldinelli
Niagara Parks Commission
905-371-0837
Infrastructure Canada
613-948-1148 or toll-free 1-877-250-7154
