Today, the community of Wellington officially celebrated the opening of Old Mills Park. Thanks to funding from the federal and provincial governments, the area received a number of enhancements that will help establish this culturally significant site as a landmark.

“Canada’s New Government is pleased to have invested more than $650,000 in this project which builds on the natural strengths and culture of Western Prince Edward Island,” said the Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA). “This initiative will draw both residents and visitors to Old Mills Park and the surrounding area to experience some of this region’s rich Acadian heritage.”

“It's important for Canadians to have access to the skills and training they need to help them find good quality jobs,” said the Honourable Monte Solberg, Minister of Human Resources and Social Development. “We're thrilled that through this project people from the community of Wellington were able to learn valuable skills and gain experience in carpentry, landscaping and trail development.”

ACOA provided $455,845 to the Old Mills Park project under its Innovative Communities Fund. Minister MacKay was in Wellington in September 2006 to announce the funding. Service Canada provided $195,820 through the Canada/Prince Edward Island Labour Market Development Agreement, co- managed with the provincial Department of Development and Technology.

Prince Edward Island’s Minister of Development and Technology, the Honourable Richard Brown, said he is pleased with the assistance provided through LMDA, as well as the $20,000 in support offered by his department. “Developments such as this are deserving of our assistance because they enhance our tourism product and generate economic activity while at the same time contributing to the sense of pride Islanders have in their communities,” Minister Brown said. “Of course, initiatives like this don’t just happen, and I want to commend all the community volunteers who have invested so much time in making this project a reality.” The PEI Department of Development and Technology contributed $20,000.

“The Old Mills Park is a source of great pride in Wellington,” said Gilles Painchaud, Chair of the Community of Wellington. “Many people in our community worked very hard to create a spot that I believe will serve as a gateway to the Evangeline region.”

The project included the construction of a new footbridge, public washrooms, boardwalks, benches, and a gazebo. Interpretive signs, decorative lighting and landscaping were also included to complement the area.

FOR BROADCAST USE:

The community of Wellington officially opened Old Mills Park today. This cultural site received a number of enhancements which included the construction of a new footbridge, public washrooms, boardwalks, benches, and a gazebo. Interpretive signs, decorative lighting and landscaping were also included to complement the area. Canada’s New Government, through ACOA and Service Canada, and the Government of Prince Edward Island, through the Department of Development and Technology contributed funding for this project, which developed the location to reflect its rich Acadian history.

For more information, please contact: 

Jennifer MacDonald
ACOA PEI and Tourism
902-566-8340

Stephen Ramsay
Service Canada
902-566-7686

Ron Crozier
Department of Development and Technology
902-620-3552

Gilles Painchaud
Chair, Community of Wellington
902-854-2289