Tracey Perry, Executive Director of the Coast of Bays
Corporation
MP Bill Matthews
MHA Oliver Langdon
Stan Hill, Tourism Representative
Don Stewart, Chair of the Coast of Bays Corporation
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In 1995, a tourism
development plan for the Coast of Bays region was initiated by ACOA,
Enterprise Newfoundland and Labrador (now known as ITRD), the
Department of Tourism, Culture and Recreation, the South Coast
Business Development Centre, the Conne River Band Council and the
three development associations of the region.
In developing a plan for economic diversification
and sustainable development of the region, the Coast of Bays
Corporation (formed in 1996) identified tourism as one of the sectors
with the potential for growth resulting in an improved economy in the
region.
Over the past number of years, the Corporation has
been actively solidifying a plan for a Centre that would not only
serve as an information centre but would also stimulate the visitor to
travel throughout the Coast of Bays region to experience first hand
our nature, history, culture, heritage, economy and the people.
By developing tourism attractions, services and promotional
strategies, the region will experience a direct improvement in the
economy.
At a meeting at the Vancor Hotel on July 7, Tracey
Perry, the Executive Director of the Coast of Bays Corporation, gave
an overview of the project and impressed upon the 91 people from
all over the region the important role this Centre will play in
promoting each and every community.
The climax to this effort and meeting was reached
when MP Bill Matthews and MHA Oliver Langdon announced
funding for the Coast of Bays Arts and Exploration Centre in
the amount of $1.44 million. This funding comes from a number of
sources including ACOA, Cultural Spaces Canada Program of Heritage
Canada, the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Comprehensive Economic
Development Agreement (CEDA) and the Department of Municipal and
Provincial Affairs.
This Centre will be an interpretation centre for the
Coast of Bays region and will also serve to showcase and stimulate the
arts in the region. The Centre will consist of an art gallery,
demonstration area, archive and an audio-visual theatre.
Following the announcement, Stan Hill representing
the tourism sector on the board of directors, said that this facility
will be a great venue for the artisans of the region and groups
interested in reviving past traditions and skills.
Don Stewart, Chair of the Coast of Bays Corporation,
said this marked the beginning of a new chapter in the development of
the Coast of Bays. He encouraged the business community and
other to seize the opportunities that exist in the tourism
sector. He concluded by thanking everyone who played a role to
ensure the success of this venture.
Construction of the facility is expected to begin in
August and be completed by March 2004.
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