For decades, Elmira was the last stop for the trains that travelled east on Prince Edward Island. The Friends of Elmira Railway Museum want to encourage more tourists and Islanders to stop at Elmira and visit the museum site which offers a glimpse of PEI's railroading heritage.

Work has begun on museum upgrades and trail enhancements around the Elmira site. The administrative building will be enlarged to accommodate an expanded gift shop and a small building will be added to increase the display space. An upgraded parking area, an outdoor stage, landscaping, picnic facilities and a boardwalk will breathe new life into the museum site that has welcomed visitors for the past 25 years.

"The Friends of Elmira recognize the potential of the Elmira Railway Museum to attract visitors to eastern Prince Edward Island," said the Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Solicitor General of Canada, representing the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) and Human Resources Development Canada (HRDC). "The museum and the fact that Elmira is the eastern tip of the Confederation Trail will help to generate more economic opportunities for the area."

The Friends of Elmira Railway Museum are receiving a $55,000 contribution through the Canadian Fisheries Adjustment and Restructuring (CFAR) initiative which is cost-shared by the Government of Canada and the Province of Prince Edward Island at an 80:20 ratio. HRDC is contributing $49,248. In addition, the provincial government is providing $44,000 through the Community Development Bureau.

"The Elmira Railway Museum is a valuable asset to the community of Elmira and its residents want to preserve and enhance the site to ensure its long-term viability," said the Honourable Mike Currie, PEI Minister of Development and Technology. "It is the type of project that fits the objectives of the Community Development Bureau."

"We are excited about getting this much needed work at the Elmira Railway Museum completed. We look forward to welcoming many Islanders and visitors during the coming season and in the years ahead," said Garry MacDonald, President, Friends of Elmira Railway Museum. "Everyone is invited to the Museum on June 13 at 7:30 pm when we will be hosting a ceilidh as part of the activities for the Trans Canada Trail Relay 2000."

The Elmira Railway Museum is open from mid-June to mid- September each year.

Lynn MacDonald
ACOA PEI and Tourism
(902) 566-7491

Ann Thurlow
PEI Department of Development and Technology
(902) 368-6574

Garry MacDonald
President, Friends of Elmira
(902) 357-2561

Shirley Pierce
HRDC
(902) 566-7456