EAST POINT - Upgrades to the East Point Lighthouse that will enhance the experience of visitors to the major tourist attraction for the area, were officially unveiled during a gala celebration here Thursday.
P.E.I. Sen. Mike Duffy, Allan Campbell, P.E.I. Minister of Innovation and Advanced Learning and members of the Friends of Elmira Inc. were on hand to tour the renovated facilities at East Point.
“Our government is pleased to partner with the Province of P.E.I. and the Friends of Elmira Inc. to upgrade the services available at the East Point Lighthouse,” said Duffy.
“These valuable upgrades will help enchance the site as a tourism destination and contribute to the local economy.” ACOA contributed $60,000 to the project.
“With the East Point community taking on ownership of the East Point Lighthouse, we are pleased to work with our fellow Islanders to help them make the most of this historic and beautiful site,” said Campbell. “It’s a key principle of the province’s Rural Action Plan to work with local groups as they build local tourism and create job opportunities.”
The P.E.I. government made a combined contribution of $159,968.
Since 2002, the Friends of Elmira Inc. have been operating the lighthouse on a lease basis with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans. Early this year, DFO transferred ownership of the property to the not-for-profit corporation. Fourteen people are seasonally employed at the well-known attraction.
“We are thrilled with our recent renovations,” said Valerie Flannery, board of directors chair for the Friends of Elmira Inc. “With support from the federal and provincial governments, we were able to accomplish crucial upgrades that will keep this site attractive, popular and lucrative for many years to come.” The Friends of Elmira Inc. added $23,350 to the project.
To further enhance the site’s reputation as a popular tourism attraction, a number of site upgrades have been completed.
The foghorm building has been expanded to increase the capacity of the café and craft shop and an observation tower has been added.
New fully accessible washrooms have been integrated into the site design. The septic system was also brought up to code to support the increased visitation.
