Convoy Quay to Open on Saturday, Sept. 18

Local mariners and the general public are invited to join Lt.-Gov. James Kinley in officially opening Convoy Quay, Bedford's new jetty, on Saturday, Sept. 18, at 2 p.m.

The jetty, adjacent to 200 Waterfront Dr., is named in honour of the convoy sailors of the two World Wars. More than 200 sailors from across Canada have been invited to the opening through the merchant naval veterans associations. Mr. Kinley, himself a Merchant Navy veteran, will officiate.

"I am pleased to be part of the ceremonies honouring Canada's Merchant Navy and the role of the Port of Halifax in preparing convoys during the two World Wars," said Mr. Kinley. "It is fitting that the jetty, positioned on the shores of Bedford Basin where the convoys were assembled, be named Convoy Quay in recognition of the tremendous contribution merchant seamen made to the war effort of our country."

A Marker of Distinction that highlights the importance of Bedford Basin in the development of Canada will be unveiled on the jetty by the Halifax Foundation. It features a picture of a World War II convoy forming in the Basin.

One of Canada's newest frigates, HMCS St. John's, and Canada's oldest corvette, HMCS Sackville, will be berthed at Convoy Quay for the dedication ceremony and will be open to the public on Sunday, Sept. 19, from noon to 4 p.m.

Convoy Quay has been under construction for 18 months. The jetty is set on concrete caissons that were towed across the basin from the Bedford Magazine, where they were no longer required. The jetty forms a breakwater for a future marina, which will have the capacity of 250 boats and yachts.

"Saturday will be a day of confluence, of accomplishment, of gratitude and the start of an exciting future in this area," said Richard Hattin, president of the Bedford Waterfront Development Corporation Ltd. "On behalf of the entire board, which showed courage in supporting this innovative project, I want to thank our many partners who helped make this project possible."

Convoy Quay is owned and operated by the Bedford Waterfront Development Corporation Ltd., a provincial crown corporation. The federal, provincial and municipal governments each provided $400,000 for construction of the jetty through the Canada-Nova Scotia Infrastructure Works Program. The corporation generated the balance of the funds, for a total cost of $1.8 million. The completed facility now has an estimated value of about $8 million. The corporation expects Convoy Quay and related works to stimulate millions of dollars of private investment in Bedford.

FOR BROADCAST ONLY:

The public is invited to attend the opening of a new

jetty on the Bedford waterfront on Saturday, Sept. 18th,

beginning at 2 p.m.

Lieutenant Governor James Kinley, a former merchant sailor

himself, will officiate and name the jetty - Convoy

Quay (pronounced "KEY").

The new jetty is named in honour of the seamen who sailed in

world war convoys during the two World Wars.

Mr. Kinley will also unveiled a plaque that highlights the

importance of Bedford Basin in the development of Canada and its

role during wartime.

The new jetty is located adjacent to 200 Waterfront Drive.