Mr. Joe McGuire, Member of Parliament for Egmont, announced funding today in support of a major waterfront development project led by Tourism Summerside. The Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) will invest $376,047 in a project designed to increase visitation to Summerside through improved access to and enjoyment of the city's waterfront.

"Summerside has so much to offer visitors - an interesting history, exciting events, a safe and clean environment, and a true sense of pride among its residents," said Mr. McGuire, on behalf of the Honourable Gerry Byrne, Minister of State for ACOA. "The Government of Canada is pleased to partner with Tourism Summerside, as it seeks to strengthen the city's tourism industry by highlighting the waterfront's sparkling beauty and its link to Summerside's history and identity."

The project will see 800 feet of boardwalk constructed, extending from the existing boardwalk at Spinnakers Landing and following the wharf westward along the water's edge to Holmans Pier. Interpretive signage highlighting the city's natural and cultural heritage, benches, lighting, landscaping and gazebo structures will be added to enhance the new promenade.

"Over the last several years, Summerside has attracted fewer visitors, a decline which prompted us to take action to restore vibrancy to our tourism product," said Mr. Don Groom, Director of Tourism Summerside, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting and advancing the tourism industry in the Greater Summerside area. "This project demonstrates our commitment to enhancing our obvious strengths, while at the same time complementing other improvements underway in the city."

The project is resulting from a strategy developed by the Summerside Sustainable Tourism Planning Committee. This steering group, chaired by Don Groom, was established by Tourism Summerside to explore a sustainable approach to tourism for the economic, social and environmental well- being of the city and residents into the future. ACOA supported the development of the strategy with a non- repayable contribution of $55,000.

ACOA's non-repayable contribution for these initiatives is being provided through the Business Development Program. Non-commercial investments under this program support the promotion of entrepreneurship, trade, marketing and education through industry, community, youth and business associations.

For more information on ACOA's programs, visit our web site at www.acoa-apeca.gc.ca.

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

Danielle Gauthier
ACOA PEI and Tourism
(902) 566-7569

Don Groom
Tourism Summerside
(902) 436-0029