A recently-unveiled program from the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA)--the Innovative Communities Fund--is permitting two Antigonish County communities to offer expanded social and economic possibilities for area residents.

In Havre Boucher, ACOA is investing $420,000 through the new Innovative Communities Fund (ICF) in a 10,200 square foot heritage-cultural centre that will include an Acadian tourism interpretation centre, a (C@P) community internet access site, a recreation and fitness centre, meeting and conference facilities, and a community gathering space.

In St. Joseph’s, ACOA is investing $359,700 through ICF to transform a former rural school into a 9,000 square foot multi-purpose facility. Enhancements will result in meeting rooms, conference space, and a community recreation area. The Honourable Lucienne Robillard, President of the Privy Council and Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, made the announcements today on behalf of the Honourable Joseph McGuire, Minister of ACOA. “As with many ACOA investments, the goals are both economic and social. The Government of Canada appreciates how the two are inter-linked, and that where communities gather, economies grow.”

Nova Scotia Health Promotion and the Office of Economic Development (OED) invested $95,000 and $50,000 respectively in the Havre Boucher project, and the Municipality of the District of Antigonish contributed $32,000. NS Health Promotion and NS OED also contributed $90,000 and $60,000 respectively to the St. Joseph’s initiative, with Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations providing $9,324 through its ACCESS – ability program. The Municipality of the District of Antigonish invested $37,400 in the work at St. Joseph’s.

"The Province of Nova Scotia is investing in stronger, safer and healthier communities," said Angus MacIsaac, Nova Scotia's Minister of Health on behalf of the province. "We are helping people succeed by providing opportunities to stay connected to their communities."

Warden Herbert DeLorey of the Municipality of the County of Antigonish said, “Both Havre Boucher and St. Joseph’s offer an attractive rural way of life and as a municipality we want to serve them in supplementing that attraction. That is why we support these multi-purpose facilities that will serve as catalyst for tourism, recreation and social participation among current and future residents of the areas.”

Len Robertson, Chair of the Havre Boucher and Area Cultural, Development and Recreation Association added, “A few years ago we lost our main community hall in the elementary school, and the hall at the fire station is being torn down, so we’re hopeful and confident that this new addition will become the new heart of our community.”

Dr. Alex Jennings, Chairperson of the St. Joseph’s Lakeside Community Centre commented, “In St. Joseph’s we too we have lost our major community gathering spaces in recent years. This new renovation will permit the St. Joseph’s school site to serve current and future generations as it has served past generations all the way back to 1878.”

The Innovative Communities Fund was unveiled in July, 2005 by ACOA Minister McGuire as part of the Atlantic Investment Partnership – The Second Wave, a new five-year $708-million initiative to support economic development throughout Atlantic Canada in critical areas such as innovation, community development, training and improving the climate for business growth.

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FOR BROADCAST USE:

Through its new Innovative Communities Fund, ACOA is investing a total of $780,000 in multi-purpose centres in the Antigonish County communities of Havre Boucher and St. Joseph’s. The goals are both economic and social. Both communities have suffered the loss of community gathering spaces in recent years. The announcements were made today at Municipal County Chambers by the Honourable Lucienne Robillard, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs. The Province of Nova Scotia and the Municipality of the County of Antigonish also contributed towards the projects.

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Valérie Poulin
Director of Communications
Office of the Honourable Joseph McGuire
Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
(613) 941-7241

David Harrigan
Media Relations Officer
ACOA (Nova Scotia) (902) 426-4238

Ross McLaren
Director of Communications
Nova Scotia Office of Economic Development
(902) 424-4998 

Caitlin Rochon
Health Promotion
902-424-6527
E-mail: rochoncn@gov.ns.ca

Warden Herbert J. DeLorey
Municipality of the County of Antigonish
(902) 863-1117
Cell: (902) 870-1380

Len Robertson
Chair
Havre Boucher and Area – Cultural, Development and 
Recreation Association
(902) 234-3170; (902) 867-7354

Dr. Alex Jennings
Chairperson
St. Joseph’s Lakeside Community Centre (902) 863-7672