Parks Canada hosts opening ceremony
for a new visitor centre at Fathom Five National Marine
Park of Canada and Bruce Peninsula National Park of Canada
TOBERMORY, ON, Aug. 16 /CNW Telbec/ - Mr.
Larry Miller, Member of Parliament for Bruce-Grey-Owen
Sound, on behalf of the Honourable Rona Ambrose, Minister
of the Environment and Minister responsible for Parks
Canada, today announced the official opening of a $7.82
million Visitor Centre for Bruce Peninsula National Park
of Canada and Fathom Five National Marine Park of Canada.
"Parks Canada plays an exemplary leadership
role in Environmental Education", said Minister Ambrose.
"Visitor Centres like this one will allow Parks Canada
to broaden their reach, making their knowledge in Environmental
Science and sustainability more accessible to all. Today
is a day to celebrate this important step forward".
Located along the Bruce Trail near Tobermory,
the new Visitor Centre is a perfect place to plan a hike
along the trails or a camping trip in Bruce Peninsula
National Park of Canada, or a SCUBA diving adventure in
Fathom Five National Marine Park of Canada. The fully
accessible and environmentally friendly Visitor Centre
includes a large exhibit hall, a high definition theatre,
public reception areas and office space for park staff.
The exhibit hall features museum-quality exhibits, which
will allow visitors to explore the ecological and cultural
significance of both parks. Outside, a 20-meter viewing
tower was constructed which offers panoramic views of
both parks. Another opportunity to take in spectacular
views can be experienced by following a new accessible
hiking trail from the Visitor Centre to a viewing platform
overlooking Georgian Bay.
"The new Visitor Centre will introduce
visitors from across Canada and beyond to these spectacular
parks, in a setting that complements the natural beauty
of the area", said Mr. Miller. "The centre showcases
natural and cultural heritage in a fun, interactive learning
environment."
Public Works and Government Services Canada
developed the landscaping plans and managed construction
of the site on behalf of Parks Canada. The Government
of Canada's Federal House in Order initiative provided
$224,000 to this project to allow the implementation of
innovative greenhouse gas reduction technology. The building
was designed by Shore Tilbe Irwin and Partners Architects
and Engineers of Toronto, Ontario and built by Allen Hastings
Limited of Dyer's Bay, Ontario.
Bruce Peninsula National Park of Canada
is located at the northern end of the Bruce Peninsula,
which divides Georgian Bay and Lake Huron. The park will
span over 156 square kilometres and is one of the largest
protected areas in southern Ontario, offering a tremendous
diversity of plant and animal species and forming the
core of UNESCO's Niagara Escarpment World Biosphere Reserve.
In the waters off the tip of the Bruce Peninsula is Fathom
Five National Marine Park of Canada, known as the freshwater
SCUBA diving capital of the world. The park offers divers
opportunities to explore spectacular underwater cliffs,
caves, rock formations and shipwrecks.
"On behalf of the Municipality of
Northern Bruce Peninsula", said Mayor Milt McIver,
"I would like to extend our thanks to the Federal
Government for the amazing new Visitor Centre. The community
welcomes this addition, as it will definitely be an economic
boost for our area. "
The Federal House in Order, an initiative
co-led by Environment Canada, Natural Resources Canada
and Public Works and Government Services Canada, has provided
financial incentives to assist departments and agencies
in reducing their greenhouse gas emissions through the
implementation of showcase demonstration projects in their
new, renovated or recommissioned buildings and housing
projects.
Bruce Peninsula National Park of Canada
and Fathom Five National Marine Park of Canada are part
of a system of national parks, national marine conservation
areas and national historic sites that is recognized as
one of the finest and most extensive systems of protected
areas in the world. The new Visitor Centre will help Parks
Canada fulfill its mandate to present nationally significant
examples of Canada's natural and cultural heritage to
Canadians, today and in the future.
For further information: Ryan Sparrow, Associate
Director and Press
Secretary, Office of the Minister of the Environment,
(819) 997-1441; Ivan
Smith, Superintendent, Bruce Peninsula National Park and
Fathom Five National
Marine Park, (519) 596-2233 ext.237; (Also available on
the Internet at
www.pc.gc.ca under Media Room.)
