Province Invests in Event Infrastructure for Southwest Nova Scotia

Southwest Nova Scotia will be able to attract bigger, world-class conferences and events with improvements to the Yarmouth Mariners Centre.

The province announced today, Dec. 2, it will invest $500,000 to expand and enhance the multi-purpose facility.

"The development of the Mariners Centre is an excellent example of jobsHere, the plan to grow our economy, in action," said Environment Minister Sterling Belliveau, on behalf of Economic and Rural Development and Tourism Minister Percy Paris. "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."

An additional $1 million 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 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 to extend the Mariners Centre and add a new video scoreboard and equipment for trade shows, banquets and conventions.

"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.

Events attract visitors to the region and help grow the region's economy.