News Release

For immediate release
September 23, 2002

Government of Canada funding to Upgrade Fort Petrie 

New Victoria, N.S. -- The Honourable Gerry Byrne, Minister of State for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) and Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation (ECBC), announces Government of Canada assistance to help with the restoration of Fort Petrie in New Victoria. The announcement was made by Mark Eyking, Member of Parliament for Sydney – Victoria. 

The Sydney Harbour Fortification Society, a non-profit organization formed in 1990, will use this funding to restore two gun emplacements at the Fort Petrie Museum site, restoring their foundations and completing necessary excavation.

"Fort Petrie serves as a focal point to commemorate the significant role the Port of Sydney played during the two world wars. It also pays tribute to those who served overseas and who participated in the war effort here at home. The Sydney Harbour Fortification Society is to be commended for its efforts in preserving that memory," said Mark Eyking, Member of Parliament for Sydney-Victoria. "With continuing improvements to the sight, the Museum becomes increasingly more intriguing to visitors. This in turn, creates economic benefits in the community.” 

The Sydney Harbour Fortification Society purchased the old Fort Petrie site in 1990. The Society has been continuously restoring the site to make it an attraction for both locals and tourists. With the opening of a museum in 1998, the Fort also serves to preserve local culture and history. 

The Fort Petrie site has roots back to the 1700’s when it served as a signal location. During Word War I, guns were located on the site. The current fortifications date from World War II and they were part of a series of fortifications that protected Sydney Harbour.

Since restoration began there has been increased public interest in the Fort. The museum, which contains military artifacts from World War I, II and the Korean Conflict, is open daily from June to the end of August. The Society conducts tours from May to the end of October. Four people were employed at the Fort during the 2002 season.

“Every upgrade to the site is an upgrade to the community. We are thankful for the Government of Canada’s support for our efforts to restore a part of our history,” says Patricia Grezel, project coordinator for the Society.

The total estimated cost of the project is $35,000. The Government of Canada, through Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation, contributed $26,250 through ACOA’s Business Development Program. 

Funding for this project was provided for in the February 2000 Federal 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 in Cape Breton and the Mulgrave area.

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONTACT:

Ralph Meechan
Office of the Minister of State for ECBC & ACOA
Tel: (613) 957-9959
Fax: (613) 941-7844

Office of Mark Eyking, M.P. 
Sydney-Victoria 
Tel.: (902) 567-6275
Fax: (902) 564-2479

Pat Savage
Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation
Tel: (902) 564-3950
Fax:(902) 564-3825

Patricia Grezel
Project Coordinator 
Sydney Harbour Fortification Society 
Tel: (902) 564-7643