TATAMAGOUCHE – Noon in Tatamagouche could be marked with a bang next summer, says Cumberland Colchester Musquodoboit Valley's member of Parliament.
Scott Armstrong announced $10,000 in federal funding towards the reconstruction of a chaloupe Tuesday in Tatamagouche. When complete, the 18th century wooden boat will sail in Tatamagouche Bay and be operated by the Creamery Square Association.
"They're planning on actually putting a cannon on it, a small cannon, which is the type of cannon that might have been used on that type of vessel back in those days that will (be fired to) signify 12 o'clock in Tatamagouche during the summer," said Armstrong.
Tourists will be able learn more about the chaloupe, which were used by Acadian settlers, from interpretative information at the waterfront. They will also be able to take a sail on the 28-foot-long boat in Tatamagouche Bay.
"It's a way to attract tourists from all over North America to Tatamagouche," Armstrong said. "Tatamagouche is a robust community. This is another piece to the puzzle for them to continue their economic development."
Colin Fowlie, project manager for the Creamery Square Development Project, was pleased with the funding announcement.
"We appreciate the value our government places on arts and heritage activities, given that they are closely linked with our local economies," he said.
A group of more than 20 volunteers will be involved in the project, contributing about 2,200 hours of labour. Work began in May and is expected to be complete in March with the boat available for use during summer 2011.
The Creamery Square Association is undertaking the project as a way of marking 2010 as Tatamagouche's 300th anniversary of the arrival of the Acadians.
The Municipality of Colchester County is committing $8,000 towards the $40,000 project while Creamery Square officials are expecting to receive nearly $20,000 in provincial funding. The federal component came from the building communities through arts and heritage program.
jmalloy@trurodaily.com
