Three golf courses in central and eastern Newfoundland will expand over the next two years with assistance from both the federal and provincial governments. The Honourable Fred Mifflin, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Secretary of State for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), and Premier Brian Tobin made the announcement today in Gander.

The $2.6 million investment is being made through two federal/provincial agreements. The Gander Golf Club and the Grand Falls Golf Club - through the Canada/Newfoundland COOPERATION Agreement on Strategic Regional Diversification - will receive $990,000 and $893,000 respectively to expand from nine to 18 holes. The Twin Rivers Golf Course in Port Blandford will receive an investment of $714,000, through the Canada/Newfoundland Comprehensive Economic Development Agreement, to construct a nine-hole golf course to complement the existing 18-hole course.

"The upgrades of these golf courses add significant value to the tourism and recreation product offered in central and eastern Newfoundland. We have 16 golf courses in Newfoundland and Labrador, with, until today, only six 18-hole courses open to the public. Let's put that in perspective - New Brunswick has 43 golf courses. Nova Scotia has 46," said Minister Mifflin.

"The resident market alone includes more than 40,000 golfers," said Premier Tobin. "Most of them will tell you how difficult it is to get on a course. Over the next four years we expect to see that demand double. The expansion of existing golf courses meets that growing need while greatly enhancing the area as a tourism and convention destination."

The Honourable Sandra Kelly, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation, and MHA for Gander, also spoke at today's announcements. "Not only will the development of these three courses create both short-term and long-term employment in this area, it will further position central Newfoundland as an excellent convention and business travel choice," she said. "I am very pleased to see the extent to which these diverse groups are involved with expanding our tourism infrastructure."

"We are very excited about this project," said Tom Jones, chair of the Gander Golf Club Board of Directors. "Every year we see an increase in demand that we simply can't keep up with. Conventioneers, tourists, residents, everyone wants to golf! Making this a public course and doubling the number of rounds available per year greatly expands the golf industry in central Newfoundland."

"Grand Falls-Windsor already has a fabulous tourism and recreation product. The Salmon Festival attracts upwards of 18,000 people a year, the Salmonid Interpretation Centre is currently seeing over 30,000 visitors per year, and we continue to expand on those anchor attractions," said Mark Griffin, president of the Grand Falls Golf Club. "With this improvement in the golf offering we expect people will stay a bit longer and, of course, keep more of their dollars in this area. For the region, for the province, for tourism, this a significant investment."

Ms. Cathy Duke, President of Sports Villas Resort Incorporated, said the additional nine-hole course at the Twin Rivers Golf Course will help meet the growing demand for golfing facilities in that area of the province. "Each year there are more and more tourists visiting this region who want to participate in golfing activities. This new course will help meet that demand."

The Canada/Newfoundland COOPERATION Agreement on Strategic Regional Diversification is a cost-shared agreement between the federal and provincial governments. The Agreement is administered federally by ACOA and provincially by the Department of Development and Rural Renewal. The Canada/ Newfoundland Comprehensive Economic Development Agreement is a five-year, $50.14 million federal/provincial agreement designed to complement existing agreements between both levels of government.

For further information contact:

Randy Devine
ACOA
Tel: (709) 772-2935

Heidi Bonnell
Premier's Office
Tel: (709) 729-3960

Doug Burgess
Department of Tourism, Culture and Recreation
Tel: (709) 729-0928

Tom Jones
Gander Golf Club 
Tel: (709) 256-8984

Mark Griffin
Grand Falls Golf Club
Tel: (709) 489-9068

Cathy Duke
Sports Villas Resort Inc.
Tel: (709) 579-4411

BACKGROUNDER

Developing Tourism Infrastructure in Newfoundland and Labrador

Golf Course Facilities

On Thursday, Fred Mifflin, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Secretary of State for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), announced a $1.5 million investment to help Clovelly Golf Course Inc. establish a premier 18-hole golfing facility adjacent to its soon-to-be opened 18-hole championship course. The new facility, called an executive course, can be played in half the time required for a regular 18-hole course. The project will create 20 full-time job and will positively impact the regional economy.

Earlier today, Fred Mifflin, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Secretary of State for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), and Premier Brian Tobin announced an investment in the Harmon Golf Club in Stephenville. This project will create 25 short-term jobs, 10 full-time seasonal jobs, and maintain 10 full- time positions. While in Corner Brook, the premier also announced a $950,000 investment in the Blomidon Golf Club for upgrades to the 18-hole course.

This afternoon's announcement of funding for three golf courses: Grand Falls, Gander and Twin Rivers completes the provincial and federal commitment to golf infrastructure for the short term.

East Coast Trail Association Inc.

On Thursday, Fred Mifflin, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Secretary of State for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), and Premier Brian Tobin announced funding for the East Coast Trail, a 340 km hiking trail which runs from Topsail Head to Cape Race will create 49 short-term jobs with the potential to generate $2.5 million annual GDP impact for the province.

Newfoundland and Labrador Snowmobile Federation

Earlier today, Fred Mifflin, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Secretary of State for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), and Premier Brian Tobin announced a funding commitment for the construction of a world-class snowmobile trail which is vital to the extension of the province's tourism season. The project will create 146 seasonal jobs during the three-year construction phase with the potential to create nearly 200 new, long-term jobs. The trail will extend from Deer Lake to St. Anthony and from Stephenville east to Clarenville.