Community events amplified with new performing arts amphitheatre 

From: Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency

News release

The Village of Pugwash undertakes construction of a modernized, accessible outdoor stage

April 16, 2019 – Pugwash, NS – Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency

Infrastructure is at the core of communities, and is essential to enriching visitor experiences and helping Atlantic Canadians succeed. That is why the Government of Canada is committed to making transformative investments in infrastructure to accelerate regional tourism growth and further propel Canada’s economy into the future.

The Village of Pugwash is building a modern performing arts amphitheatre to revitalize a well-used but aging piece of community and event infrastructure. Dancers, musicians, theatre groups and other performers will benefit from the new outdoor stage on the Pugwash waterfront with a full-sized sloped roof that will amplify sound projection, a larger performance area, two dressing rooms, two washrooms, a storage room and an office. The new amphitheatre will enable the Village to increase the number and calibre of festivals and events held in Pugwash, and will better meet the needs of the local performing arts industry.

Today, Bill Casey, Member of Parliament for Cumberland – Colchester, on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), announced Government of Canada support to the Village of Pugwash for the project.

This investment builds on commitments made by the Government of Canada and the four Atlantic Provinces to drive economic growth in the region through the Atlantic Growth Strategy, which supports strategic investments in line with Canada’s Tourism Vision to make Canada a top-ten global tourism destination by 2025.

Quotes

“Our government is laying the foundation for Canadians to become more competitive and succeed in the global economy. Today’s investment in the Village of Pugwash is building on our competitive advantages by supporting rural communities to develop local tourism assets to boost economic growth and create good, middle class jobs for Canadians.”

-       The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Tourism, Official Languages and La Francophonie

“The Government of Canada understands the need to support local priorities. As a venue for local events like the Gathering of the Clans, Harbourfest and the Tall Ships Festival, this amphitheatre will be a primary gathering point for community members and visitors. This investment will enable the Village of Pugwash to replace, transform and improve a key piece of community infrastructure.”

-       Bill Casey, Member of Parliament for Cumberland – Colchester, on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for ACOA

“The stage is an integral part of Eaton Park, and the backbone of so many activities. This really sets-up Pugwash, and indeed the Municipality of Cumberland, for continued success of community gatherings for years to come.”

-       Allison Gillis, Warden, Municipality of the County of Cumberland

“The Village of Pugwash is excited to see a new performance stage adding to the long time established annual festivals and summertime concerts a whole new array of outdoor events, exhibitions and performances.”

-       Bill Martin, Chair, Village of Pugwash

Quick facts

  • Attracting upwards of 25,000 visitors annually, the original amphitheatre stage was built in 1951 in Eaton Park for a Highland Dance competition. It was expanded to include a covered stage area and storage over the next few decades. Since then, it has been used for many concerts, competitions, pageants, variety acts, exercise classes and as a fishing tournament weigh-in station. World-class musical acts have played on the stage, attracting thousands of people to the Village.

  • The new amphitheatre, which will be fitted for stage lighting and sound equipment as well as a digital projector for outdoor movies and video, will replace the Eaton Stage.

  • The Government of Canada invested $250,000 in this project through ACOA’s Innovative Communities Fund (ICF). The Municipality of the County of Cumberland is also contributing $75,000 to the project.

  • The Innovative Communities Fund (ICF) focuses on investments that lead to long-term employment and economic capacity building in Atlantic Canadian communities. 

  • The ICF continues to build on the objectives of the Innovation and Skills Plan, a multi-year strategy to create well-paying jobs for the middle class and those working hard to join it.

Associated links

Contacts

Chris Brooks
Director, Communications and Outreach
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
902-426-9417 / 902-830-3839 (cell)
chris.brooks@canada.ca

Shelley Hoeg
Communications Officer / CAO Executive Assistant
Municipality of the County of Cumberland

902-667-2758 / 902-694-6963 (cell)
shoeg@cumberlandcounty.ns.ca

Lisa Betts
Clerk Treasurer
Village of Pugwash
902-243-2946
villagecommission@pugwashvillage.com

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