News Release

For Immediate Release
April 13, 2005

Community Hall in Richmond County Receives Government Funding

Richmond County, N.S. – Rodger Cuzner, MP for Cape Breton-Canso, on behalf of the Honourable Joseph McGuire, Minister for Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation (ECBC) and Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, today announced Government of Canada funding for the South Mountain Arm of Gold Community Association to upgrade the St. George’s Channel Community Hall.

St. George’s Channel Community Hall is located in St. George’s Channel in Richmond County. The building started its life over 100 years ago as the local school house, but it has been used as the local community hall for many years. The South Mountain Arm of Gold Community Association oversees operations at the hall and hosts many events that appeal to residents and tourists alike.

The renovations to the hall will include an extension of the building in order to house a new kitchen and washrooms, as well as upgrades to mechanical systems and the parking lot. The washrooms and entrances will be made handicap accessible and new equipment will be purchased.

“Community development is crucial to sustaining a vibrant Cape Breton,” says MP Rodger Cuzner. “The South Mountain Arm of Gold Community Association is a group of dedicated volunteers who are working hard to benefit the local community.”

“St. George’s Community Hall is a focal point for the communities of West Bay, Scotch River, South Mountain and Grand Anse,” says Ron MacKillop, Chairperson for South Mountain Arm of Gold Community Association. “This project will enable us to host more events and attract more people to the area.”

The total cost of the project is $200,000. ECBC will provide a
non-repayable contribution of $150,000 through ACOA’s Strategic Community Investment Fund.

SCIF provides $135 million over five years to help communities in Atlantic Canada create an environment that encourages and enhances economic development.

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.

For Broadcast Use Only:

CAPE BRETON – CANSO MP RODGER CUZNER TODAY ANNOUNCED GOVERNMENT OF CANADA FUNDING FOR THE SOUTH MOUNTAIN ARM OF GOLD COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION FOR UPGRADES TO THE ST. GEORGE’S CHANNEL COMMUNITY HALL IN RICHMOND COUNTY.

THE RENOVATIONS WILL INCLUDE AN EXTENSION TO THE BUILDING IN ORDER TO HOUSE A NEW KITCHEN AND WASHROOMS, AS WELL AS UPGRADES TO MECHANICAL SYSTEMS AND PARKING LOT. THE BUILDING WILL BE MADE HANDICAP ACCESSIBLE AND NEW EQUIPMENT WILL BE PURCHASED.

THE TOTAL COST OF THE PROJECT IS $200,000. ECBC WILL PROVIDE A NON-REPAYABLE CONTRIBUTION OF $150,000.

MP CUZNER SAYS THAT THIS TYPE OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT IS CRUCIAL TO SUSTAINING A VIBRANT CAPE BRETON.

For More 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 Rodger Cuzner
MP for Cape Breton-Canso
Tel: (902) 842-9763

Ron MacKillop
Chairperson, South Mountain Arm of Gold Community Association
Tel: (902) 345-0582

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