Years of planning turned into a day of celebrations as the Plough the Waves Centre was officially opened today in Wood Islands by Premier Pat Binns, Premier of Prince Edward Island; the Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Solicitor General of Canada; and John Rousseau, chair of the Wood Islands and Area Development Corporation.

Plough the Waves Centre is located one-half kilometre from the Wood Islands ferry terminal at the intersection of Route 4 and the Trans Canada Highway. It features a Visitor Information Centre, a new liquor store, as well as retail shops and a community room. Landscaped grounds surround the buildings which are connected by a boardwalk and there is a large gazebo in the courtyard that can be used as an outdoor stage.

"For tourists visiting our province via the Wood Islands ferry, this development will be a important first stop as they seek information regarding tourist destinations in the province," said Premier Binns. " Our government is pleased to assist in this community driven project which will also benefit local residents with year round services."

"To the volunteers who have made this development a reality, I offer my sincere congratulations. The Government of Canada is proud to be a partner with you in this initiative that enhances the local tourism infrastructure,"said Minister MacAulay on behalf of the Honourable Gerry Byrne, Minister of State for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) and the Honourable Jane Stewart, Minister of Human Resources Development Canada (HRDC).

More than 500,000 ferry passengers travel through Wood Islands each year and the new complex will allow visitors the opportunity to spend more time in the area as well as to learn more about other tourist destinations in eastern PEI.

Components of the Plough the Waves Centre, such as the community room, will be open on a year-round basis enabling residents to host a variety of functions.

"Our community is very pleased with the financial support and cooperation we have received from the federal and provincial governments," said Mr. Rousseau.

Funding for the development has been provided by the community, federal and provincial governments. The Wood Islands and Area Development Corporation has contributed $200,000. ACOA provided $300,000 through its Business Development Program. The Canada/PEI Labour Market Development Agreement, a co-managed agreement between HRDC and the provincial Department of Development and Technology has contributed $271,000. The Province of Prince Edward Island also provided $198,000 under the Community Development Program, $246,000 through the Regional Development Support Program and $257,000 in land and highway enhancements through the Department of Transportation and Public Works.

Catherine MacInnis-Gordon
ACOA PEI and Tourism
(902) 368-0502

Jim Richards
HRDC
(902) 566-7686

Dennis King
PEI Dept. of Development and Technology
(902) 368-6574

John Rousseau
Wood Islands and Area Development Corporation
(902) 962-3363

Peter A.H. Graham
Office of the Hon. Gerry Byrne
(613) 957-9959