News Releases and Media Advisories
Yarmouth, Nova Scotia - 2 December 2011 - Yarmouth, Nouvelle-Écosse - 2 décembre 2011 - Southwestern Nova Scotia’s premier entertainment destination, the Yarmouth Mariners Centre, is set to grow, thanks to an investment from the Government of Canada through the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA). The announcement was made today by Greg Kerr, Member of Parliament for West Nova, on behalf of the Honourable Bernard Valcourt, Minister of State for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) and La Francophonie.
“This project will allow the Yarmouth Mariners Centre to build on the work it has been doing for the last decade?attracting high profile events to this area?but now, on a larger scale,” said MP Kerr. “Larger events mean more visitors and the injection of new dollars and additional activity into the local economy.”
An investment of $1 million through ACOA’s Innovative Communities Fund will assist the Yarmouth Mariners Centre in creating an in-house media centre equipped with camera placements. Improvements will also be made to the facility’s lighting and heating systems, trade show amenities, video screen, modular staging and computer systems. In addition, the investment will allow the Centre to engage in strategic marketing activities designed to position the facility as an attractive event venue.
The upgrades will enhance the Centre’s ability to successfully host events such as the upcoming 2012 World Junior A Hockey Challenge. The Challenge is an annual international Junior "A" hockey tournament hosted by Hockey Canada. It will feature six teams?two Canadian and four international?and the gold medal game will be broadcast nationally on TSN. Over 800 players, coaches, Hockey Canada staff, media, scouts, family and fans are expected to participate in the event.
The Province of Nova Scotia, through the Department of Economic and Rural Development and Tourism is also supporting the expansion project with an investment of $500,000.
“The development of the Mariners Centre is an excellent example of jobsHere, the plan to grow our economy, in action,” said Environment Minister Sterling Belliveau on behalf of Economic and Rural Development and Tourism Minister Percy Paris. “By adding the capacity to host multiple large scale events, conventions and conferences, the economy of Southwest Nova Scotia will benefit from this investment for many years to come.”
The Municipality of the District of Yarmouth and the Town of Yarmouth are each contributing $200,000 to planned improvements.
“The Yarmouth Mariners Centre is an important piece of the foundation on which we are building the future of our municipality,” said Leeland Anthony, Warden of the Municipality of the District of Yarmouth. “I look forward to seeing what this latest stage of its development will mean for our economy.”
“The Mariners Centre has a growing reputation for being able to host large events that support our event tourism industry,” said Phil Mooney, Mayor of the Town of Yarmouth. “These renovations will build in that capacity and enable our community to host even larger events in the future.”
“This is an exciting project for the Town and County of Yarmouth,” said Dave Hall, President of the Yarmouth and Area Chamber of Commerce. “The Yarmouth Mariners Centre is a key part of our community’s progressive infrastructure and plays a major role in fostering commerce activities. By attracting major events to our community the facility will provide a significant boost to our local economy.”
FOR BROADCAST USE:
The Government of Canada, through ACOA is investing $1 million in important improvements to the Yarmouth Mariners Centre. MP Greg Kerr said the federal support will allow the Yarmouth Mariners Centre to build the on its success in attracting significant events to the area but on a larger scale.
The facility is set to host the 2012 World Junior A Hockey Challenge and will welcome more than 800 players, coaches and hockey enthusiasts to the area.
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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
Toby Koffman
Communications Advisor
Nova Scotia Department of Economic and Rural Development
and Tourism
902-424-4482 / 902-483-5847 (cell)
Email : KOFFMATG@gov.ns.ca
