News Release Archive

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT/TOURISM--NEW WATERFRONT FOR HALL'S HARBOUR
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January 11, 1997, will stand out in the minds of many Hall's
Harbour residents as the day the community almost lost its wharf. 
History might judge it as the day the community found itself. 

A storm that caused severe damage to the main wharf in the
Annapolis Valley village that day also galvanized community
efforts to build a solid economy based on the vital importance of
the waterfront. As a result, a $179,000 waterfront redevelopment
project will begin this September. Efforts are also under way to
raise money to repair the main wharf. 

Hall's Harbour Community Development Association has joined with
Nova Scotia Economic Development and Tourism and with Katimavik
Programme Canada, a federal program encouraging youth involvement
and work in community life, to make the waterfront project
possible. The improvements will help ensure the area's future as
a tourist destination.

Richie Mann, Minister of Economic Development and Tourism, said
the Hall's Harbour project is a great example of community
economic development.

"The community has identified its strengths and is building on
them to secure a better economic future," he said. "Visitors are
bound to be drawn to this picturesque spot in greater numbers
once the work is completed." 

Improvements include reconstruction of the old lighthouse wharf,
walkways, nature trails around the lagoon, restoration of the old
East Hall's Harbour School as a community centre, and the
construction of two dories for community use. 

"We should draw a lot more tourists once the walkways are safe
and wheelchair accessible," said Edward Litle, a co-ordinator for
Hall's Harbour Development Association. 

Madonna Spinazola, chair of the Community Development
Association, said the waterfront project has received tremendous
support from the community and from the Kings Regional
Development Agency. 

"I'm really excited about this," said Ms. Spinazola. "There's a
really good process taking place and the support we're getting
from the regional development agency here is fantastic. The
community wouldn't have had the expertise to go it alone."

Ms. Spinazola said 60,000 tourists who are attracted by the
spectacular tidal range visit Hall's Harbour each year. She hopes
the improvements will increase visits and ensure the
sustainability of the community.

A community group called FISHH --Friends in Support of Hall's
Harbour --telephoned individuals and businesses in Kings County
for assistance, and responses have been favourable. At the same
time, the Harbour Authority of Hall's Harbour, under the
leadership of chair Paul Gervason, is working toward the
reconstruction of the main wharf to complete the waterfront
development.

The waterfront development is funded by Economic Development and
Tourism's Community Opportunities Fund ($66,000), Katimavik
Programme Canada ($76,230), and Hall's Harbour Development
Association ($36,780).

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Contact: Steve Fairbairn
         Economic Development and Tourism
         902-424-5836

jlw                        July 18, 1997    8:40 a.m.