11 August 2011
ST. ANDREWS, New Brunswick
The new Fundy Discovery Aquarium was celebrated today by friends of the Huntsman Marine Science Centre including federal, provincial, and municipal representatives.
The Honourable Keith Ashfield, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans and Minister for the Atlantic Gateway; Premier David Alward; Roger McNabb, Deputy Mayor of St. Andrews; John Williamson, Member of Parliament for New Brunswick Southwest; and Curtis Malloch, MLA for Charlotte- Campobello, were among those on hand to mark the upcoming opening of the centre in St. Andrews.
“Our Government is proud to have contributed to this new facility. Our investment through Canada’s Economic Action Plan helped create employment while providing economic development opportunities for the regions far into the future,” said Minister Ashfield. “This new facility will attract more visitors to the area all year long and offer a learning opportunity for students of all ages as well as improved research capabilities for universities and research organizations that partner with Huntsman.”
“New Brunswick renowned around the world for the Bay of Fundy, and our government’s investment in the Fundy Discovery Aquarium will help provide an even more exciting tourism experience while advancing our knowledge of its rich biodiversity,” said Alward. “We can achieve lasting economic and social progress by working with world-class local partners like the Huntsman Marine Centre to promote our communities and our natural treasures.”
The 20,000 square-foot Fundy Discovery Aquarium is Canada’s newest aquarium. It includes interpretation of the ecology and economy of the Bay of Fundy, a range of Bay of Fundy marine life, a two-storey Bay of Fundy tidal display, conference and lecture centre with live video-conference capabilities, meeting rooms, a laboratory and gift shop.
“We are very proud to have reached this day, having torn down our old aquarium only a year ago. The new building is more than just a replacement for the aquarium. With all of the additional infrastructure, and by being open year round, it represents a major boost to the economy of the area, and to the scientific and educational communities, as well as to our partners. We hope the Fundy Discovery Aquarium will be a destination and source of enjoyment and learning for many years to come,” said Bill Robertson, Executive Director of the Huntsman.
The Government of Canada, through the Community Adjustment Fund, and the Province of New Brunswick invested $2.5 million each in the project while the Huntsman Marine Science Centre contributed $3 million toward the $8 million project.
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:
Federal, provincial and municipal representatives joined friends and supporters of the Huntsman Marine Science Centre in St. Andrews today for the official dedication ceremony of the new Fundy Discovery Aquarium.
Fisheries and Oceans Minister Keith Ashfield and Premier David Alward took part in the event, along with Member of Parliament for New Brunswick Southwest John Williamson, and Curtis Malloch, MLA for Charlotte-Campobello.
The 20,000 square-foot Fundy Discovery Aquarium features a range of Bay of Fundy marine life, a two-storey Bay of Fundy tidal display, a conference and lecture centre with live video-conference capabilities, a laboratory and gift shop. The federal and provincial governments each invested $2.5 million, while the Huntsman Marine Science Centre contributed $3 million toward the $8 million project.
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INFORMATION:
Gisèle Savoie
Senior Communications Officer
ACOA New Brunswick
506-452-3341
Bruce Macfarlane
Corporate Secretary
Regional Development Corporation
506-444-4606
Jim Cornall
Communications Coordinator
Huntsman Marine Science Centre
506-529-1260
jcornall@huntsmanmarine.ca
