[YARMOUTH, NS] — The province has announced that it will invest $500,000 towards expanding and enhancing the Mariners Centre with the federal government investing $1 million. The expansion and renovation project at the multi-purpose facility is aimed at helping the facility to attract larger events and conferences.
"By adding the capacity to host multiple large-scale events, conventions and conferences, the economy of Southwest Nova Scotia will benefit from this investment for many years to come," said Environment Minister Sterling Belliveau, on behalf of Economic and Rural Development and Tourism Minister Percy Paris.
The $1 million from the federal government is being invested by the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency from its Innovative Communities Fund.
"This project will allow the Yarmouth Mariners Centre to build on the work it has been doing for the last decade — attracting high-profile events to this area, but now on a larger scale," said West Nova MP Greg Kerr, on behalf of Bernard Valcourt, Minister of State for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency. "Larger events mean more visitors and the injection of new dollars and additional activity into the local economy."
The Town of Yarmouth and Municipality of Yarmouth are also contributing $200,000 each to the $1.9-million project, which will add an extension to the Mariners Centre to allow for the addition of heated storage areas at the facility and a large multi-purpose room that can be used for events, as a classroom and for off-ice training. New equipment for trade shows, banquets and conventions is being purchased. As well, a new video scoreboard for the main arena is being bought.
"This is an exciting project for the Town and County of Yarmouth," said Dave Hall, president of the Yarmouth and Area Chamber of Commerce. "The Yarmouth Mariners Centre is a key part of our community's progressive infrastructure and plays a major role in fostering commerce activities. By attracting major events to our community, the facility will provide a significant boost to our local economy."
Yarmouth and Southwest Nova Scotia have hosted several successful events, including Music Nova Scotia's Music Week and the Celebrating Communities Conference and Awards. It will stage the World Junior A Hockey Challenge next year.
Along with the sporting events that take place at the Mariners Centre, events held here attract visitors to the region and help to grow the region's economy.
