News Release

For Immediate Release
April 27, 2005

Marina Improvements Will Increase Boating Visitors

Sydney, N.S. – With upgrades and assistance from the Government of Canada, the Northern Yacht Club will become an even more attractive stopover for visiting boaters. The Honourable Mark Eyking, MP for Sydney-Victoria announced today that Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation (ECBC) will provide $281,250 in funding to assist with marina renovations.

“Boating is a growing component of the tourism industry and to attract visitors, we must offer the services they are looking for,” says MP Mark Eyking, on behalf of the Honourable Joseph McGuire, Minister for Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation and the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA). “Enhancing this facility brings economic benefits to the entire community through increased revenues and spin-off opportunities.”

The marina project will include improvements to its breakwater and the addition of a sewage pump-out station that will improve environmental procedures and allow the operation to generate additional revenues.

“With improved infrastructure and services, the yacht club is better suited to attract boaters en route to the Bras d’Or Lakes,” says David Buis, Commodore at the Northern Yacht Club. “This translates into increased visitation, increased storage and increased tourism dollars in the local economy.”

Total cost of the project is $375,000. Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation will provide a non-repayable contribution of $281,250 through the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency’s Business Development Program.

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:

WITH UPGRADES AND ASSISTANCE FROM THE GOVERNMENT OF CANADA, THE NORTHERN YACHT CLUB WILL BE AN EVEN MORE ATTRACTIVE STOPOVER FOR VISITING BOATERS.

MARK EYKING, MP FOR SYDNEY-VICTORIA ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT ENTERPRISE CAPE BRETON CORPORATION WILL PROVIDE $281,250 IN FUNDING TO ASSIST WITH MARINA RENOVATIONS AT THE YACHT CLUB.

THE PROJECT INCLUDES IMPROVEMENTS TO THE BREAKWATER AND A SEWAGE PUMP OUT STATION.

TOTAL COST OF THE PROJECT IS $375,000.


FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONTACT:

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

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

David Buis, Commodore
Northern Yacht Club
(902) 794-4740

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