Initiative assists tourism and cultural industries on Burin Peninsula
March 31, 2015 – Boat Harbour, NL – Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA)
An investment by the Government of Canada has helped the Placentia West Heritage Committee to join two tourism-related buildings, with an end goal of establishing an economuseum in the region. The Honourable Rob Moore, Regional Minister for Newfoundland and Labrador and Minister of State (Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency), announced that the federal government, through the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, contributed more than $200,000 towards the project, which is wrapping up construction.
The expansion combined the Tea Rose Restaurant and the Placentia West Heritage Committee’s Craft Shop into a more productive and profitable operation by: improving the presentation of the product; increasing space for interpretation; and adding a production space for local crafts producers to demonstrate how their products are made.
This site will follow the example of established economuseums and offer products with traditional roots in conjunction with an interpretation of the product and an opportunity to meet the artisans who produce the product. It is hoped that over a five year period, the Placentia West economuseum will meet the requirements to become a registered ECONOMUSEUM®.
The economuseum concept began in 1992 in Quebec to promote traditional craft skills using educational tours with museum-like interpretation and gift shops. Economuseums help promote the products of local craftspeople while creating employment, reacquainting communities with their heritage, adding value and increasing demand for the products of existing businesses.
Quick Facts:
- The Placentia West Heritage Committee has combined the Tea Rose Restaurant and the Placentia West Heritage Committee's Craft Shop to make them more productive and profitable operations, thanks to an investment by the Government of Canada.
- The Government of Canada is providing $201,325 for this project through the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency's Innovative Communities Fund.
- Today's announcement is another example of how Canada's Federal Tourism Strategy is encouraging product development and investments in Canadian tourism assets and products
Quotes:
“Our Government is pleased to support initiatives like this one which showcase the area’s rich heritage and culture, improve on the region’s tourism infrastructure and products, and contribute to economic growth and prosperity. The Placentia West Heritage Committee’s expanded facility supports tourism growth on the Burin Peninsula by providing an opportunity for visitors to enjoy local cuisine, meet artisans, learn about their products, and make purchases, all at the same site.”
- The Honourable Rob Moore, Regional Minister for Newfoundland and Labrador and Minister of State (Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency)
"The Placentia West Heritage Committee and Development Association are very happy to have this new facility. Over the last two years, we have increased activities at the Livyers’ Lot site but were constrained by the lack of space. We look forward to the continued increase of our customer base as we convert to the Economuseum model and add new activities for our visitors and residents.”
- Grace Lockyer, Chairperson, Placentia West Heritage Committee
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Contacts:
Kelsie Corey
Director of Communications
Office of the Honourable Rob Moore
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
613-941-7241
Kelsie.Corey@acoa-apeca.gc.ca
Julie Afonso
Acting Director, Public Affairs
ACOA NL
709-772-2984
Julie.Afonso@acoa-apeca.gc.ca
Elizabeth Murphy
Vice Chairperson
Placentia West Heritage Committee
709-443-2580
