News Release Archive
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT/TOURISM--Food for the Future
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A new canteen facility in Barrington is serving the Cape Sable
Historical Society a promising future. Hamburgers and hot dogs
are not only satisfying appetites, they're adding meat to a plan
for sustainability.
Brenda Maxwell, manager of the historical society, said the
canteen, known as Lighthouse Lunch, was built to help the society
realize its goal of self-sufficiency. "Grants are diminishing
more and more every year. We want to work toward being
self-supportive, so we thought a canteen would be the best way to
raise funds aside from the usual craft sales and bake sales."
Nova Scotia Economic Development and Tourism contributed $8,042
to the construction project through the Community Opportunities
Fund. A contractor was hired to construct the building shell and
more than 270 volunteer hours went into painting, plumbing,
installing cupboards and general construction of the building
interior.
"The government is committed to initiatives that revitalize Nova
Scotia communities and contribute to the economy of local areas,"
said Manning MacDonald, Minister of Economic Development and
Tourism. "This project is a great example of a community
identifying its resources and working toward making them more
sustainable. It is a strong community-based, community-driven
initiative."
The Community Opportunities Fund provides funding for projects
that create lasting benefits to local economies. Projects must
also contribute to the achievement of regional community economic
development plans.
Lighthouse Lunch was open for business July 31, just one month
after the project began. Ms. Maxwell said it was perfect timing:
"We got some of this year's tourist season and it allowed us to
work some of the kinks out this year."
During the summer, Lighthouse Lunch employed two students.
Volunteers operated the facility until the end of September when
it closed for the season. "The money generated will help employ
the extra people we need at the lighthouse museum and the
historical society," said Ms. Maxwell.
In addition to helping the society become self-sufficient,
Lighthouse Lunch is expected to keep tourists in the area a
little longer. "The canteen allows staff more time to talk with
visitors and give them more information about the area that will
hopefully keep them here at least an extra night," said Ms.
Maxwell. The canteen receives at least 30 per cent of the
visitors to the Seal Island Light Museum (the lighthouse), she
said.
The canteen will hold an official opening in the spring of 1998.
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Contact: Angela Campbell
Nova Scotia Economic Development and Tourism
902-424-1728
E-mail:econ.campbeam@gov.ns.ca
ngr October 8, 1997 10:30 am
