The Government of Canada is supporting Phase Two of the restoration and expansion of the Age of Sail Heritage Centre in Port Greville, Nova Scotia.
“Our Government is proud to re-invest in this heritage preservation project,” said Scott Armstrong, Member of Parliament for Cumberland-Colchester-Musquodoboit Valley, on behalf of the Honourable Bernard Valcourt, Minister of State for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and La Francophonie. “Our Government participated in Phase One of the expansion—and by way of this follow-on investment in Phase Two, this cultural landmark will be even better prepared to share the rich history of the area and demonstrate the significance of shipbuilding to the communities surrounding the Bay of Fundy.”
The project, which is managed by the Cumberland Regional Economic Development Association (CREDA), is the second step in a multi-year plan to expand and renovate the 150- year-old facility. The Government of Canada’s funding in this phase will allow for the completion of the Wind, Waves and Tides exhibit building, which resembles a ship’s hull. The completed facility will provide room for additional exhibit displays, storage of artifacts, and genealogy research, as well as more space for workshops and community meetings.
The Government of Canada made its $130,733 investment through ACOA’s Innovative Communities Fund, with additional funding of $75,000 coming from the through the Department of Economic and Rural Development and Tourism, $36,064 from the Municipality of the County of Cumberland, as well as $24,438 from the Greville Bay Shipbuilding Museum Society and $8,400 committed by CREDA. ACOA had previously provided $98,192 for Phase One of the project.
"The Age of Sail Museum is an important part of our seafaring history," said Brian Skabar, MLA for Cumberland County on behalf of Percy Paris, Minister for the Nova Scotia Department of Economic and Rural Development and Tourism. "This expansion is an example of the strategic investments the province is making to move forward in our plan to create good jobs and strengthen the economy."
“The Age of Sail Heritage Centre continues to grow in significance as one of the many assets visitors to this area can experience,” said Rhonda Kelly, Executive Director of CREDA. “The Centre’s accurate depiction of life during the early shipbuilding era will only serve to enhance the Bay of Fundy region’s recognition as a significant and unique attraction.”
“I would like to express our sincere appreciation to ACOA, our Provincial Government and the Municipal Council for their support of this project,” said Ohra Collins, President of the Greville Bay Shipbuilding Museum Society. “The financial, physical and moral support of CREDA and our supporters outside and in the community have all come together to expand our facility for the preservation and exhibition of our local heritage and culture. As a non-profit, volunteer run organization, the support is invaluable.”
“Nothing beats the past at giving you a vision for the future,” said Gerald Read, Deputy Warden of the Municipality of the County of Cumberland. “The Municipality of County of Cumberland looks to this project to provide us all with inspiration to continue to build a proud and prosperous region.”
The Age of Sail Heritage Centre is operated by the Greville Bay Shipbuilding Museum Society, and is dedicated to preserving the lumbering and shipbuilding history of the Parrsboro Shore through the collection of artifacts and archives.
FOR BROADCAST USE:
The Government of Canada is investing more than $130,000 in Phase Two of the restoration and expansion of the Age of Sail Heritage Centre in Port Greville, Nova Scotia. Federal funding, announced by MP Scott Armstrong, will support the completion of the Wind, Waves and Tides exhibit building, which resembles a ship’s hull. The completed facility will provide room for additional exhibit displays and genealogy research, as well as more space for workshops and community meetings.
The Age of Sail Heritage Centre is dedicated to preserving the lumbering and shipbuilding history of the Parrsboro Shore through the collection of artifacts and archives.
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INFORMATION:
Paul Moore
Senior Communications Officer
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
902-426-3470/902-222-3360 (cell)
Email : Paul.Moore@acoa-apeca.gc.ca
Rhonda Kelly
Executive Director
Cumberland Regional Economic Development Association
902-667-3638
Email: rhondak@creda.net
Ohra Collins
The Greville Bay Shipbuilding Museum Society
902.254.2079
Email: gbsmsageofsail@yahoo.com
Sherie Hodds
Economic and Rural Development and Tourism
902-424-7643
E-mail: hoddss@gov.ns.ca
