News Release Archive
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT/TOURISM--MacIntosh Brook Enhancement Project
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A $200,000 tourism infrastructure project was announced today for
the MacIntosh Brook Day Use Area in Cape Breton Highlands
National Park, near Pleasant Bay. The site is a popular picnic
area for the more than 350,000 visitors to the Cabot Trail each
year.
MacIntosh Brook Day Use Area is equipped with picnic and camping
sites, kitchen shelters, washrooms, a playground and hiking
trail. Parks Canada has identified the area as a priority for
development and has contributed $100,000 to upgrading the site.
Parks Canada will also oversee the project, which will include
replacing kitchen facilities, building new washrooms and
developing trails.
The new day-use area is designed with motor-coach tours in mind,
said Tim Reynolds, acting superintendent at Cape Breton Highlands
National Park. Tour companies have been asking more often for a
day-use area for motor-coach visitors in the vicinity. The
improvements will accommodate 40 to 50 visitors at a time.
"It will be a great improvement for motor-coach visitors, as well
as for people travelling by car," said Mr. Reynolds. "It's good
for everyone."
The national park took on the project as a contribution to this
year's 500th anniversary celebrations of John Cabot's voyage to
the New World.
Nova Scotia Economic Development and Tourism is a funding partner
in the enhancement project; it is contributing $50,000 toward the
development.
"This initiative will not only make the facilities more
comfortable for visitors, it will generate spinoff opportunities
for gift shops and other amenities in the nearby community," said
Ken MacAskill, Minister of Natural Resources, speaking on behalf
of Manning MacDonald, Minister for Economic Development and
Tourism, at an announcement today near Pleasant Bay.
"The improvements to the MacIntosh Brook Day Use Area will
contribute to the rejuvenation of this area and add to the great
reputation of the Cabot Trail," said Mr. MacAskill.
Located strategically midway along the Cabot Trail from Baddeck,
the enhancement project will have long-term benefits for the
community. It will allow the facility to accommodate more
visitors who, in turn, will shop and use services in the nearby
community of Pleasant Bay.
Enterprise Cape Breton Corp. will provide an additional $50,000
for the improvements. "Tourism is a proven winner and a mainstay
of the local economy," said Albert LeBlanc, a representative of
Enterprise Cape Breton speaking on behalf of Senator Al Graham.
"By investing in key tourism infrastructure of the federal
government is promoting the long-term vitality and sustainability
of the tourism sector."
The Pleasant Bay Community Development Association will
administer the enhancements to the site. Sandra Fraser, president
of the association, said the project will be a major boost for
the area.
"Redevelopment of the site will not only invite visitors to stop,
better facilities and better campsites will encourage them to
stay a little longer," said Ms. Fraser. "The area will also
benefit from the spinoffs created, as well as having a new
building to use for community events."
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Contact: Angela Campbell
Economic Development and Tourism
902-424-1728
E-mail: econ.campbeam@gov.ns.ca
Tim Reynolds
Cape Breton Highlands National Park
902-285-2270
D.A. Landry
Enterprise Cape Breton Corp.
902-564-3617
E-mail: dlandry@ecbc.ca
ngr Nov. 14, 1997 12:00 p.m.
