HUBBARDS (NS) – july 31 2011 – The former Hubbards Cove Fish Plant site is being transformed into multiuse outdoor community space—accessible by land and sea—with support from the Government of Canada.

“Our government is committed to supporting projects that build upon local strengths,” said Gerald Keddy, Member of Parliament for South Shore-St. Margaret’s, on behalf of the Honourable Bernard Valcourt, Minister of State for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) and La Francophonie. “Our investment in Hubbards Cove supports the creation of valuable community infrastructure that will enhance this area’s tourism offering and benefit area residents for years to come.”

Mr. Keddy made the announcement at the opening ceremony of the Nova Scotia Schooner Association’s 50th Anniversary Race Week, which is taking place at the former site of the Hubbards Cove Fish Plant. The investment will support the Hubbards Community Waterfront Association (HCWA) as it develops the site into an open waterfront park. Project activities will include landscaping the grounds; adding trees, gardens, picnic tables, benches and signage; installing comfort stations, washroom facilities, offices and storage space and establishing water, septic and electricity services.

The Government of Canada is investing $140,000 in this project through ACOA’s Innovative Communities Fund. The Province of Nova Scotia is also investing $40,000; Halifax Regional Municipality $25,000 and a variety of community groups have contributed more than $34,000.

"Investing in the vibrant and sustainable communities we all deserve is a key part of jobsHere, the plan to grow our economy," said Minister of Economic and Rural Development and Tourism, Percy Paris. "By improving the Hubbards waterfront, we are laying the foundation for future development and growth through this important piece of community infrastructure."

“The revitalized waterscape at Hubbards Cove will enable us to attract more residents and visitors to the area for small- and large-scale outdoor events,” said Rosalie Courage, Board Chair of the HCWA. “In addition to the Schooner Association’s Race Week and the 2011 Summer Sundays Music Series, these new amenities will enable us to host art shows, family activities, community markets and more—supporting local businesses and the vitality of our community.”



FOR BROADCAST USE:

South Shore-St. Margaret’s MP Gerald Keddy today announced $140,000 in federal support for the transformation of the former Hubbards Cove Fish Plant site into multiuse outdoor community space.

The Hubbards Community Waterfront Association (HCWA) is developing the site through landscaping the grounds; adding trees, gardens, picnic tables, benches and signage; installing comfort stations, washroom facilities, offices and storage space and establishing water, septic and electricity services.

The revitalized space at Hubbards Cove will enable the community to attract more residents and visitors to the area for small- and large-scale outdoor events—such as the Nova Scotia Schooner Association’s 50th Anniversary Race Week.

MP Keddy said that the investment supports the creation of valuable community infrastructure that will enhance the area’s tourism offering and benefit area residents for years to come.