Island attraction closes early this year

NEWS RELEASES

PARKS CANADA

************************* Paving the way to the past

Fort St. Joseph closing early for road upgrades

ST. JOSEPH ISLAND, ON (August 24, 2010) - Bernt Gilbertson Enterprises Limited of St. Joseph Island has been awarded the contract to upgrade the access road to Fort St. Joseph National Historic Site.

The contract amount is $799,918.

At the end of the workday on September 6, 2010, Fort St. Joseph will close five weeks early to allow for significant upgrades to the access road, which are being completed through Canada’s Economic Action Plan funding.

These improvements will provide significant benefits for the site, its many visitors and local communities.

By investing in the infrastructure of Canada’s national historic sites, the government is helping to preserve and protect these special places that are symbols of Canada and tangible connections to our history.

The closure of the access road applies to motor vehicles, bicycles, and pedestrians.

During the site closure, public outreach education activities will continue to be offered by Parks Canada staff through program delivery in area schools.

Despite the early closure, Fort St. Joseph will open on September 24 and 25 for the Ghost Walk event, part of the War of 1812 Rendezvous event.

The site will re-open for the regular 2011 operating season.

Parks Canada is proud to manage a nation-wide family of protected areas on behalf of all Canadians.

Fort St. Joseph National Historic Site is one of 167 national historic sites operated by Parks Canada to protect and present significant examples of our nation’s natural and cultural heritage to this and future generations.

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