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| Louisbourg gets more than $744,000 for siege celebrations and facade program |
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LOUISBOURG - Local residents were applauding Monday as governments announced $744,964 in funding to help celebrate the 250th anniversary of the second siege of the Fortress of Louisbourg, and to spruce up businesses in the downtown.
Federal MP Gerald Keddy, speaking to residents in the local fire hall, announced a contribution of $329,964 to help the Louisbourg Merchants Association and the community play a part in celebrations of the historic siege of the fortress and another contribution of $305,000 for a facade improvement program.
MLA Alfie MacLeod added $110,000 from the Nova Scotia government to the funding for the community celebrations.
During the second siege of 1758, a British army attacking with 16,000 troops and supported by 160 ships captured the fortress in seven weeks, according to a modern-day website for the national historic site.
Fortress of Louisbourg marketing officer Mark Sajatovich, who was at the announcement Monday, said the 250th anniversary celebration could attract 20,000 visitors to the fortress over the July 25-27 weekend.
The highlight will be an encampment featuring as many as 1,000 costumed re-enacters playing the parts of British, French and native people of the era.
"Once in a lifetime is a cliché in a lot of cases (but) for this, it's not," he said. "We certainly hope to think it will be one of the largest tourist events in the province."
The community of Louisbourg will use some of its funding to erect an historically themed gate at the entrance to the community that will be constructed of stone from the fortress. It will also install directional and interpretative signs.
Jolene MacIntyre, an event co-ordinator, said the community will also celebrate the anniversary throughout the summer with cultural heritage days, a fishermen's carnival, activities for children, entertainment, fireworks for the opening of the nearby Lighthouse Trail and other activities.
Local businesses can receive up to $20,000 in funds matching their own contribution in the facade program, which is being lead by the Cape Breton County Economic Development Authority.
Facade programs boost the economic base of a community, said Cindy Tobin, a community development officer at CBCEDA.
The applications have been available for several months and the deadline is April 30, she said.
Louise Carter, manager of the Grubstake restaurant, said the facade program will be helpful at a time when the tourism industry has been in decline.
"Hopefully, it will bring a breath of fresh air to the restaurant and to the whole downtown as a core, because with the facade program, everything looks more enticing and more appetizing for the people."
Parks workers across the country have been without a contract since August and talks between the employer and employees broke off in February, raising concerns about the possibility of a strike.
Keddy, the parliamentary secretary for ACOA Minister Peter MacKay, said he would be shocked if the labour dispute drags on and has any negative affects on the 250th anniversary celebrations.
chayes@cbpost.com
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