News release

New Experiences Await Visitors to Nova Scotia

Tourism, Culture and Heritage (Dec. 2003 - Jan. 2011)

From a seven-day rug-hooking tour in Cheticamp to a living black history program in Birchtown, there are a dozen new and enhanced experiences awaiting visitors to Nova Scotia.

Tourism, Culture and Heritage Minister Rodney MacDonald announced today, Aug. 2, that $218,079 will be provided to support the development of a dozen tourism projects across the province.

"Developing new or existing destinations throughout the province not only attracts visitors," said Mr. MacDonald, "it enhances their experience in Nova Scotia. It also helps us to stay competitive in today's tourism market."

The Pomquet Development Society in Antigonish County will receive $23,000 for its Chez Deslauriers Project. The funding will support several property enhancements at the restored Acadian home, including the creation of a trail system, an enlarged parking lot, and building of a new interpretive centre and staging area for festivals and events.

"We're very excited about the opportunities this new funding offers," said Jackie Knocton, vice-chair, Pomquet Development Society. "By expanding our facilities, we will be able to offer more services and better accommodate our visitors."

Annapolis Royal Historic Gardens Society will receive $25,000 for the Annapolis Royal Historic Gardens. The funding will enable the society to enhance its interpretive services on local culture and heritage from a horticultural perspective, as well as develop new orientation materials and more accessible facilities.

"These enhancements will enrich our visitors' experiences by providing more information on our local culture and heritage in unique and innovative ways," said Trish Fry, manager, Annapolis Royal Historic Gardens.

Other organizations receiving support include La Société Saint-Pierre in Inverness County -- which will receive $5,000 to develop a seven-day learning vacation focused on the Cheticamp hooked rug experience -- and the Black Loyalist Society in Shelburne County, which receives $4,714 to develop a script and deliver a living history program on the Life of Evan at the Black Loyalist Heritage Centre in Birchtown.

"These tourism projects will help us build on our strengths and create new or enhanced experiences for visitors to the province," said Charley Clerk, chair, Tourism Partnership Council. "The projects meet our strategic priorities and will assist the province in realizing its full potential as a world-class tourism destination."

The Tourism Development Investment Fund has invested more than $692,826 in 47 projects across Nova Scotia over the last year.

Information on the Tourism Development Investment Fund is available from the Department of Tourism, Culture and Heritage by calling 902-424-3908 or by visiting the website at www.gov.ns.ca/dtc/tourism . The next deadline for applications is Sept. 9.


Note: Following are the 12 projects receiving support from the Tourism Development Investment Fund

Annapolis County:

  • Annapolis Royal Historic Gardens Society will receive $25,000 to enhance visitor experiences at the Annapolis Royal Historic Gardens. This will include enhancing interpretive services on local culture and heritage from a horticultural perspective, as well as developing new orientation materials and more accessible facilities.

Antigonish County:

  • Pomquet Development Society will receive $23,000 for its Chez Deslauriers Project. This will involve several enhancements to the property, including the creation of a trail system, enlarging the parking lot, and building a new interpretive centre and staging area for festivals and events.

Digby County:

  • Le Musée Eglise Ste-Marie will receive $7,000 for the Musée Ste-Marie Interpretation. This funding will enable the museum to hire a person to research and co-ordinate the production of a series of interpretive panels depicting the stained glass windows throughout the church.

  • Weymouth Waterfront Committee will receive $25,000 to develop the Weymouth Trail Project along the banks of the Sissaboo River. The trail will profile the five cultures of the Weymouth area through interpretive panels placed at key look-off areas.

Guysborough County:

  • Liscombe Lodge will receive $32,200 to enhance the Liscombe Lodge Trail. The funding will allow the lodge to complete work on the trail bed and create an interpretive pavilion and panels focusing on the history, geography and geology of the area.

Hants County:

  • Nine Mile River Trail Association will receive $10,000 to complete the first of five phases in its Trail Development Project. This phase will include a trailhead and about five kilometres of trail.

Inverness County:

  • La Société Saint-Pierre will receive $5,000 to develop a seven-day learning vacation focused on the Cheticamp hooked rug experience.

  • West Mabou Beach Committee will receive $10,500 for enhancements to the West Mabou Beach Park. The committee will resurface parts of the trail, build foot bridges and improve overall accessibility. Interpretative signs will also be developed to describe the diverse ecosystems, estuaries and tidal flats.

Kings County:

  • Sheffield Mills Community Association will receive $5,000 for the development of an eagle watch site development plan. The plan will examine the capacity and development required for this winter nature observation activity.

Lunenburg County:

  • Lunenburg County Historical Society will receive $48,200 for its Fort Point Renaissance Project at the Fort Point Museum on the LaHave River. This funding will enable the society to expand and enhance its interpretations of the area's French, First Nations, seafaring and industrial heritages.

Shelburne County:

  • Black Loyalist Society will receive $4,714 to develop a script and deliver a living history program on the Life of Evan at the Black Loyalist Heritage Centre in Birchtown.

Victoria County:

  • Ross Ferry Stewardship Society will receive $22,465 to enhance the Ross Ferry Marine Park. The ferry wharf property will be developed to sustain the natural environment and increase tourism. It will provide walking trails, picnic and washroom facilities, access to the shore and interpretation of flora and fauna and the local heritage of the Bras d'Or Lakes.