North Shore to get CPR terminus park

An interpretive park will be built at the site of the former Canadian Pacific Railway transcontinental railway terminus in the Township of the North Shore.

The project, announced today by Algoma-Manitoulin MP Brent St. Denis (shown) and Frank Klees, Ontario Minister of Tourism and Recreation, will include installing a sculpture of a steam engine and interpretive signs to highlight the site's heritage in commercial fishing, coal shipping, logging operations and railway terminus activities.

The two, together with municipal leaders, also announced funding for a recreation centre on Barrie Island.

The following is the full text of a news release distributed today by Industry Canada:

****************************************************************** GORE BAY, ON, Jan. 20 - Residents of the Township of Barrie Island and the Township of the North Shore will soon see improvements to local recreation and tourism infrastructure through two investments announced today under the Canada-Ontario Infrastructure Program.

These investments will make an important contribution to the quality of life in the communities of Barrie Island and the North Shore.

Brent St. Denis, MP for Algoma-Manitoulin, Frank Klees, Ontario Minister of Tourism and Recreation, and municipal leaders announced the investment today.

"The construction of a recreation centre on Barrie Island will create a safe place where the community can come together, and the development of an interpretive park in the North Shore will become an important tourist attraction in the area," said Mr. St. Denis.

"I am pleased to announce these two Canada-Ontario Infrastructure Program investments on behalf of the Government of Canada."

"SuperBuild is about building stronger communities," said Mr. Klees.

"I am proud that the Ernie Eves government, working in partnership with federal and municipal governments and local community organizations, is helping the communities of Barrie Island and the North Shore build the facilities they need at a cost they can afford." The Township of Barrie Island will construct a community centre at the historic site of the original one-room schoolhouse on Barrie Island.

The new, barrier-free facility will include a meeting room, washroom facilities and a storage room, which will host community events, council meetings and recreational events. The community centre will also serve as a rest stop for tourists who visit Barrie Island.

Construction is expected to be complete in 2004.

The Government of Canada through Industry Canada and the Government of Ontario through SuperBuild will each contribute up to $31,167 to the project.

The Township of Barrie Island will invest the balance of the project's total eligible cost of $159,833.

"The addition of a community centre will have a great impact on the well-being of our community and we are delighted that this project is now moving forward," said Joe Ann Lane-Lewis, Reeve of the Township of Barrie Island.

"The Township of Barrie Island is pleased to have the support of the federal and provincial governments for this important initiative."

The Township of the North Shore will develop the former Canadian Pacific Railway transcontinental railway terminus into a causeway interpretive park.

The project involves the placement of a sculpture of a steam engine onto a concrete pad, and the installation of interpretive and directional signs throughout the site, which will highlight commercial fishing, coal shipping, logging operations and railway terminus activities.

The development of an interpretive park will establish the causeway as a tourist attraction, and is part of a regional tourism effort to attract railway heritage tourists.

Construction is expected to be complete in 2003. The Government of Canada through Industry Canada and the Government of Ontario through SuperBuild will each contribute up to $11,000 to the project.

The Township of the North Shore will invest the balance of the project's total eligible cost of $55,000. "I am thrilled to be a part of this announcement today because this project will attract more tourists to our region," said George E. Johnson, Reeve of the Township of the North Shore.

"This project means a lot to our community and I would like to thank everyone who helped to make this application a success."

The total federal and provincial investment being announced, encompassing both the Barrie Island and the North Shore projects, is $84,334. This is one of a series of matching federal and provincial investments to help municipalities improve the quality of life of their residents through essential infrastructure projects totalling more than $993 million to date in Ontario.

More announcements under the Canada-Ontario Infrastructure Program are coming.

For more information, visit: www.ic.gc.ca/coip-pico or www.SuperBuild.ca

Project Reference Number: Barrie Island 1815, North Shore 2708