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News Release
For immediate release
February 7, 2004
Canso Causeway 50th Anniversary Celebrations Receive Funding
Port Hastings, N.S. – The Canso Causeway Anniversary Society today
received significant funding from the Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation (ECBC)
to assist with plans for a community celebration in the Strait area.
The Canso Causeway Anniversary Society announced they will use the funding
to plan and orchestrate celebrations marking the 50th anniversary of the
opening of the Canso Causeway. Through this project, a comprehensive
strategy will be developed that will include a plan of activities, a
fundraising strategy, a marketing and communications plan, as well as
specific event coordination and logistics.
“The Government of Canada is committed to supporting strategies that will
lead to increased tourism and community infrastructure for Cape Breton,”
said the Honourable Joseph McGuire, the Minister responsible for ECBC.
“Quality projects like this afford limitless opportunities for attracting
visitors. We know that we can build a 21st century economy in the region if
we make the necessary investments today.”
“The opening of the Canso Causeway represents a significant event in the
history of Cape Breton Island and it is fitting that we mark its 50th
anniversary,” said Rodger Cuzner, Member of Parliament for Bras d’Or-Cape
Breton. “Not only was the completion of the Causeway a major engineering
accomplishment, it enhanced the Island’s transportation infrastructure,
providing better access for visitors and residents, as well as facilitating
the shipment of goods.”
The Canso Causeway was completed in 1955 and is a mile-long, 80 foot-wide
man-made causeway connecting Cape Breton Island to mainland Nova Scotia.
Built between 1952 and 1955, it was officially opened with much fanfare on
August 13, 1955. The Canso Causeway Anniversary Society wishes to honour the
50th anniversary of the opening and recapture the enthusiasm that was
experienced that first day when a procession of 100 bagpipers, in full
regalia, led the crowds across the “road to the isle” for the first time.
“The Canso Causeway has become synonymous with Cape Breton Island,” says Bob
MacEachern of the Canso Causeway Anniversary Society. “These celebrations
will be a focal point for the 2005 tourism season and will provide yet
another reason to experience all Cape Breton Island has to offer.”
The Canso Causeway Anniversary Society was incorporated in 1980 to assist in
the development of programming to mark the Causeway’s 25th anniversary. The
Society was reactivated in 2002, with a mandate to prepare a major
celebration for the 50th anniversary in 2005.
The total estimated cost of the project is $500,000. ECBC will provide a
non-repayable contribution totalling $325,000 through the Atlantic Canada
Opportunities Agency’s Strategic Community Investment Fund.
The Strategic Community Investment Fund provides $135 million over five
years to help communities in Atlantic Canada create an environment that
encourages and enhances, among other activities, the development of
strategic sectors such as tourism.
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 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONTACT:
Stephen Heckbert
Office of the Honourable Joe McGuire
Minister of ACOA and ECBC
Tel: (613) 948-7293
Office of Rodger Cuzner, MP
Bras d’Or –Cape Breton
Tel: (902) 842-9763
Mr. Bob MacEachern
Co-Chair, Canso Causeway Anniversary Society
Tel: (902) 625-1220
D.A. Landry
ECBC Communications
Tel: (902) 564-3617
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