News Release

For Immediate Release
January 28, 2005

New Waterford Community Park Receives Funding For Revitalization

New Waterford, N.S. - - The Honourable Mark Eyking, MP for
Sydney-Victoria, on behalf of the Honourable Joseph McGuire, Minister for Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation (ECBC) and Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), today announced funding for the redevelopment of the Colliery Lands Park in New Waterford, N.S.

Established in 1983, the Park is located on the site of two former coal mines. It is the largest green space in New Waterford and holds great potential for increased recreational use. It is home to a monument dedicated to the 300 men who died while working in area mines. This project will include a general upgrade to the Park to increase access and use, as well as the addition of new displays.

“Colliery Lands Park serves as a reminder of the importance of mining to the history of New Waterford,” says MP Eyking. “This project complements several other Government of Canada initiatives in recent years to create jobs and improve community infrastructure in New Waterford.”

The revitalization of the Park is being spearheaded by the community through the Cape Breton County Economic Development Authority (CBCEDA). The total cost of the project is $284,300. ECBC will provide a non-repayable contribution of $199,546 through ACOA’s Business Development Program. CBCEDA is contributing $5,000 to the project.

“Enhancements to our local culture and improved infrastructure in New Waterford will result in employment opportunities for residents,” says
Eileen Lannon-Oldford of CBCEDA. “The revitalization plan will aid in enhancing current facilities and make the Park more accessible for both the community and tourists alike.”

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 BROADCAST USE ONLY:

MARK EYKING, MP FOR SYDNEY-VICTORIA, TODAY ANNOUNCED FUNDING FOR THE REVITALIZATION OF THE NEW WATERFORD COLLIERY LANDS PARK. THE PROJECT WILL INCLUDE GENERAL UPGRADES TO THE FACILITY AND THE ADDITION OF NEW DISPLAYS.

MP EYKING SAYS THIS PROJECT COMPLEMENTS SEVERAL OTHER GOVERNMENT OF CANADA INITIATIVES IN RECENT YEARS TO CREATE JOBS AND IMPROVE COMMUNITY INFRASTRUCTURE IN NEW WATERFORD.”

THE TOTAL COST OF THE PROJECT IS $284,300. ECBC WILL PROVIDE A NON-REPAYABLE CONTRIBUTION OF $199,546 THROUGH ACOA’S BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM.

THE PROJECT IS BEING SPEARHEADED BY THE LOCAL COMMUNITY THROUGH THE CAPE BRETON COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY.

For Additional Information Contact:

Valérie Poulin
Director of Communications
Office of the Honourable Joseph McGuire
Minister of Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
Tel: (613) 941-7241

Office of Mark Eyking
MP Sydney-Victoria
Tel: (902) 567-6275

Eileen Lannon-Oldford
Cape Breton County Economic Development Authority
Tel: (902) 562-2201

D.A. Landry
ECBC Communications
Tel: (902) 564-3617