Open House will focus on Joggins Fossil Cliffs

Project

March 16 , 2007

 

Joggins, NS - People interested in learning more about the latest developments associated with the world famous Joggins Fossil Cliffs are invited to attend an Open House on Thursday, March 22 at the Royal Canadian Legion in Joggins.

The informal drop-in will run from 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. and will feature information on the UNESCO World Heritage Site nomination, construction of the new Joggins Fossil Cliffs Interpretive Centre, as well as on the Essential Skills Development and Training Program now underway at River Hebert District High School. Representatives from the Community Business Development Corporation (CBDC Cumberland) will be available to discuss small business development opportunities with potential entrepreneurs.

The Open House is being hosted by the Joggins Fossil Institute and the Cumberland Regional Economic Development Association (CREDA).

More than $9-million is being invested to build an interpretive centre to showcase what is considered the world’s richest and most significant Coal Age fossil site. Access to the beach and site safety will also be greatly enhanced. Construction of the 13,000 square foot interpretive centre is well underway. The centre is scheduled to open this summer and will house a gift shop, a lab and 6,000 square feet of exhibition space devoted to the significance of the cliffs. Meanwhile, the Nomination Dossier, which is the application for inscription on the list of World Natural Heritage Sites, was formally submitted to the World Heritage Centre in Paris in January.

Funding is being provided by Canada’s New Government, through the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), which is investing more than $4.8-million in the new centre. The Nova Scotia Department of Tourism, Culture and Heritage will invest $1.8-million. The provincial investment is in addition to $1.1-million provided in December 2005 to help leverage other funding, bringing the total provincial contribution up to $2.9-million. CREDA is leading the project and, with the support of the municipality of the County of Cumberland, has contributed $921,600.

 

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