News Release

For Immediate Release
April 3, 2002

ACCOMMODATION FACILITIES UPGRADING AND/OR EXPANDING 

SYDNEY, N.S. -- Accommodation facilities in Dundee, Port Hastings and Louisbourg are upgrading with repayable loan assistance from the Government of Canada, creating 11 jobs. This assistance was announced today by Rodger Cuzner, Member of Parliament for Bras d'Or-Cape Breton, speaking on behalf of Gerry Byrne, Minister of State for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation.

Total cost of the projects is $1,592,000 with Government of Canada assistance totalling $705,500.

"Today's travellers have diverse interests and high expectations for facilities and services. The Government of Canada is pleased to offer its support to the business people who strive to meet the changing demands of their customers by improving their facilities," said Mr. Cuzner.

A major modernization of the Dundee Resort includes the establishment of a meetings and conventions facility, a spa, an upgraded telephone system to provide access to data ports, as well as landscaping enhancements. 

The total estimated cost of the project is $825,000. ECBC will make a repayable contribution of $312,500 through the Business Development Program. The project will help maintain 85 full and part-time seasonal jobs and create seven new full-time seasonal jobs. 

Foggy Hermit Incorporated, a tourism and hospitality company in Louisbourg, will expand through the establishment of Louisbourg Heritage House, a bed and breakfast operation. The former Anglican Church rectory, which was built in 1886, will be totally renovated to provide six guest rooms. 

The total estimated cost of the project is $275,000 and ECBC will provide a repayable contribution of $147,000 through the Business Development Program. Two full-time seasonal jobs will be created.

The MacPuffin Motel in Port Hastings will upgrade by refurnishing its rooms and upgrading the facilities to meet the Choice Hotel chain standards. The MacPuffin is joining the Choice chain and will operate as an EconoLodge. The total estimated cost of the project is $250,000. ECBC will make a repayable contribution of $125,000 through the Business Development Program. Two full-time jobs will be created and five full-time jobs will be maintained.

The Fortress Inn Louisbourg project includes air quality improvements, completion of two kitchenette units; installation of air conditioning in all rooms; conversion of at least six units from double to queen size; overall upgrading of flooring, bathrooms and furnishings in selected units; addition of outdoor patios and visual enhancement to store frontage including upgraded entrances.

The total maximum estimated cost is $242,000 and ECBC will provide a repayable loan of $121,000 through the Business Development Program. The project has the potential to create new seasonal jobs as well as helping to maintain the existing two full-time jobs and over 20 seasonal jobs during the tourist season.

Funding for these projects was provided for in the February 2000 budget and is therefore built into the existing financial framework.

Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation offers programs in support of economic development initiatives and is responsible for delivering ACOA's programs on Cape Breton Island and in the Mulgrave area.

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FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONTACT:

Peter A. H. Graham
Office of the Hon. Gerry Byrne
Minister of State for ECBC & ACOA
Tel: (613) 957-9959
Fax: (613) 941-7844

Rodger Cuzner, M.P.’s Office
Tel.: (902) 842-9763
Fax: (902) 842-9025

Marcie Stanley, ECBC 
Communications Officer
Tel: (902) 564-7876
Fax:(902) 564-3825

Scott MacAulay, Partner
Odyssey Cape Breton Limited Partnership 
and Inverary Inn (Amalgamated 1999) Limited 
Tel: (902) 295-3500

Parker Bagnell, President
Foggy Hermit Incorporated
Tel: (902) 733-3222

Mike Melenchuk, President
MacPuffin Motel
Tel: (902) 469-5850

Michael MacDonald, President 
Fleur de Lis Motel Limited
Fortress Inn Louisbourg
Tel: (902) 733-2844