The Cape Jourimain Nature Centre Inc. will be making some much needed improvements to its tourism facilities thanks to the receipt of more than $48,000 in funding from the federal government.
A number of invited guests as well as interested individuals were on hand at the facility last Wednesday for the announcement, which was made by New Brunswick senator, the Hon. Carolyn Stewart Olsen.
“Through its Economic Action Plan, our government is investing in projects that will make a difference in communities both today and in the future. This investment will help strengthen the local tourism infrastructure, attract more visitors, promote longer stays and increase tourist-generated revenue in the region,” Stewart-Olsen said.
In a subsequent interview she added that the federal government is committed to maintaining the Cape Jourimain Nature Centre.
“As we look at more and more green initiatives, the Nature Conservancy, coastal erosion; this beautiful is studying a lot of those things, including habitat. It’s the perfect centre that we can learn a lot from, the federal government and the environment minister are very interested in what’s happening here,” she noted.
The Cape Jourimain Nature Centre Inc. (CJNC) is a non-profit organization and key tourism attraction in New Brunswick that is dedicated to the promotion and interpretation of nature and history. Its goal is to increase an overall interest and understanding of the natural and cultural heritage of the Cape Jourimain area of the province. Located at the end of the Confederation Bridge linking PEI to New Brunswick the CJNC is situated in an area protected by the Canadian Wildlife Service.
President of the CJNC board of directors, William Prescott told those gathered that after 10 years of operation, the facility is in need of some serious repairs to its infrastructure, including trail upgrades and signage.
“As a charitable organization, with very little capital funds, the financial support from the federal government helps us maintain and upgrade our facility as a first-class tourism attraction,” he said.
Upgrades will include improving the on-site marketing and branding, trail repairs, as well as the development of interpretation panels and stations with a self-guiding trail map to facilitate navigation for visitors.
The Government of Canada, through the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, will contribute $48,800 toward the project under its Community Adjustment Fund program, and the CJNC will kick in $25,200 to the project.
Cape Jourimain Nature Centre Inc. is open daily from 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. until October 11. The new conservation fee $2 admission fee per vehicle gives visitors access to the provincial Visitor Information Centre and the waiting room for the shuttle to PEI, as well as to the interpretation centre, exhibit hall, Boutique Salicornia, Iceboat Landing Restaurant, three-storey observation tower and 12 kilometre of nature trails.
