Former lighthouse keeper’s residence to become new tourist attraction
The Honourable Rob Moore, Regional Minister for Newfoundland and Labrador and Minister of State (Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency), and the Honourable Susan Sullivan, Minister of Innovation, Business and Rural Development, today announced funding totaling $223,750 for Tourism Bell Island Inc. to develop the former lighthouse keeper’s residence on Bell Island into a key tourism asset and strengthen the island’s tourism sector.
The federal and provincial investments are enabling Tourism Bell Island Inc. to refurbish the residence and convert it into a visitor information centre that will serve as the island’s main tourism hub. The new facility will help increase visitor traffic, enrich the tourism experience and complement Bell Island’s existing tourist attractions. In addition, the project includes the development of a business and marketing plan for Tourism Bell Island Inc. to promote the island as a tourism destination.
Quick Facts:
- The Government of Canada, through ACOA’s Innovative Communities Fund, is investing $82,000 in the project. The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is contributing $141,750 ($82,000 through the Department of Innovation, Business and Rural Development and $59,750 through the Department of Advanced Education and Skills).
- The new information centre, which will be the first stop for visitors to Bell Island, is expected to be open to the public in early July, 2014.
- The centre will provide additional interpretive experiences and essential information on the island’s major tourist attractions, such as the Bell Island Mine Museum and Underground Tour. In 2013, the Bell Island Mine Museum and Underground Tour welcomed 9,145 visitors.
- Tourism Bell Island Inc. is a not-for-profit organization mandated to advance tourism development on Bell Island and is governed by a volunteer board of directors.
Quotes:
“Our Government recognizes that tourism is a key driver of economic growth, especially in rural communities in Newfoundland and Labrador. Our investment will help to ensure continued growth of the tourism sector on Bell Island and generate sustainable economic activity in the region for years to come.”
- The Honourable Rob Moore, Regional Minister for Newfoundland and Labrador and Minister of State (Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency)
“The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is committed to supporting business and tourism projects that stimulate and diversify our economy. Revitalizing the former lighthouse keeper’s residence on Bell Island will generate economic benefits both locally and for the region. This is a good example of a project with strong links to other community initiatives which will build on and complement existing tourism product on Bell Island such as the Mine Museum and Underground Tour and Radio Bell Island. Our government is pleased to continue to support projects that contribute to the vitality of communities throughout our province.”
- The Honourable Susan Sullivan, Minister of Innovation, Business and Rural Development
“We are very pleased to be moving forward with this project to develop a key piece of tourism infrastructure in our community. This initiative will help to ensure a quality experience for visitors to Bell Island and play an important role in our efforts to grow our tourism industry well into the future.”
- Henry Crane, Chair, Tourism Bell Island Inc.
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Associated Links
Contacts
Kelsie Corey
Director of Communications
Office of the Honourable Rob Moore
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
613-941-7241
Julie Afonso
Acting Director, Public Affairs
ACOA NL
709-772-2984
Jennifer Tulk
Director of Communications
Department of Innovation, Business and Rural Development
709-729-4570
Henry Crane
Chair
Tourism Bell Island Inc.
709-488-2411
