News Release

For immediate releases                                                           July 28, 2000

Pleasant Bay, Nova Scotia — A new facility on the Cabot Trail is encouraging more tourists to experience the joys of whale watching this summer. The Pleasant Bay Whale Interpretive Centre officially opened today as a tourist attraction and future research facility.

“We’re pleased to have this community project up and running,” said centre manager George Fraser. “Island communities made major contributions to the whale centre and they will benefit from it with increased tourism as well as space for education, business, meetings and other services.”

Interpretive exhibits at the centre explain the origin, classification, environments and conservation of whales in the waters off Cape Breton. Seven staff members manage the facility, guide visitors in both English and French and sell locally made crafts with a marine life theme in the gift shop.

The centre was developed by the Pleasant Bay Community Development Association and Friends of Whale Watch Cape Breton, which raised $80,000 in cash and in-kind donations for the project. Provincial and federal governments invested a total of $605,000.

“This centre is a major addition to the infrastructure which enhances Cape Breton Island's tourism industry. It is also a tribute to the great things that can be accomplished when communities and government join forces to bring community economic development goals to life,” said Bernie Boudreau, Leader of the Government in the Senate and Minister responsible for Nova Scotia, on behalf of the George Baker, Secretary of State for Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation and the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency.

The first of its kind in Atlantic Canada, the centre is expected to attract 21,000 visitors and generate $179,000 in revenues during its first year. There are also plans to develop the facility as a centre for whale research.

“There is growing interest in nature tourism activities and in Nova Scotia, we have lots to offer nature lovers,” said Tourism and Culture Minister Rodney MacDonald on behalf of Economic Development Minister Gordon Balser. “Located in prime whale watching territory, this centre will help Cape Bretoners to draw more tourists into their communities and add more diversity to our thriving tourism industry.”

The centre is lending a hand in business and community development projects by making the facility available to the community. The centre has an area which seats up to 60 people for conferences and nature programs. A growing new business, Cape Breton Crates, is renting space on the centre’s lower level. School children have begun visiting the centre and a pilot distance education project is planned for students in the Strait region.

Whale watching tour operators in the area are working with the centre to promote the enjoyment and preservation of whales and other wildlife. The newly formed Cape Breton Whale and Nature Tour Operators Association is currently developing a code of conduct for its members.

Government contributions were made through Human Resources Development Canada and the Canada/Nova Scotia COOPERATION Agreement on Economic Diversification. The agreement is managed federally by Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation and the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and provincially by Nova Scotia Economic Development.

For Further Information Contact:

AdPle Poirier
Economic Development
902-424-5836

Marcie Stanley
Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation
902-564-7876

George Fraser
Pleasant Bay Whale Interpretation Centre
902-224-1751