News Releases and Media Advisories
6 November 2011
Tusket, Nova Scotia - A community celebration and concert featuring local artists marked the official opening of the Centre communautaire de Par-en-Bas in the community of Tusket today. Greg Kerr, Member of Parliament for West Nova brought congratulations on behalf of the Honourable Bernard Valcourt, Minister for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and La Francophonie, and the Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages.
"The Centre communautaire de Par-en-Bas is a fantastic example of the type of innovative community spirit that exists right here in South Western Nova Scotia," said MP Kerr. "This facility has improved the area's access to Acadian culture and heritage-based programming while providing a central location where people can come together to gain new skills, share ideas and have fun."
A combined Government of Canada investment of nearly $2.4 million through the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency ($870,000) and Canadian Heritage ($1,526,000) has assisted the Conseil Acadien de Par-en-Bas to construct the 15,000 square foot, two-storey community centre. The centre houses a 300-seat theatre, a preschool, a boardroom, offices, space for storage and an art gallery. It is attached to the École Secondaire de Par-en-Bas, Tusket's French-language high school, and is adjacent to the track and field facilities that will host the upcoming finals of the 2012 Jeux de l'Acadie.
"The Centre communautaire de Par-en-Bas is an asset for this community that will allow us to showcase the rich culture, diversity and talent that exists in the Acadian community of the Argyle region," said Clyde deViller, Executive Director of Conseil acadien de Par-en-Bas. "The facility is an important piece of foundational infrastructure on which we can build a stronger, vibrant future for our community."
Canadian Heritage funding for this project has been provided under the Development of Official-Language Communities Program. This program is designed to foster the vitality of Canada's French and English-speaking minority communities and enable them to participate fully in all aspects of Canadian life.
FOR BROADCAST USE:
The Centre communautaire de Par-en-Bas has officially opened its doors following a combined investment of more than $2.3 million through the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and Canadian Heritage.
MP Greg Kerr said the facility is a fantastic example of the type of innovative community spirit that exists in South Western Nova Scotia and that the new facility has improved the area?s access to Acadian culture and heritage- based programming.
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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
Gilles Thériault
Director, Communications Atlantic Region
Canadian Heritage
506-851-3980
Email: Gilles.Theriault@pch.gc.ca
