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“The Department of Innovation and Advanced Learning is pleased to support this initiative through Skills PEI that will see long-term community benefits including job creation, increased tourism and economic spinoff for local businesses,” said Minister Roach. “This project will also provide a 26-week work experience in the construction field to seven Islanders. It is great to invest in a project that supports both work experience and training, as well as cultural pride and preservation.”

“This is a very exciting cultural project for the Evangeline Region and we are pleased to contribute through the Island Community Fund,” said Minister MacKinley. “Village Musical Acadien will become a major tourist attraction in the area, strengthening the rural economy while promoting Prince Edward Island’s rich Acadian history and culture.”

The Expo-Festival Centre will be expanded to include a new music and interpretation centre. The centre will showcase the region’s culture and history by featuring musical, visual arts and storytelling performances along with local food and crafts. Expanded meeting and conference services will also be available as a result of the expansion.

The province is investing $350,000 in the project which includes both exterior and interior renovations to the existing Expo-Festival Centre site. The total cost of the project is $1.4 million. Skills PEI is contributing $200,000 through the Canada-PEI Labour Market Agreement, and the Island Community Fund is contributing $150,000 to the project.

The Expo-Festival Centre was built in 1998 as the community’s cultural centre. It houses a restaurant and bakery, and hosts dinner theatre and other tourism and community activities.

Both ministers acknowledged the important role community volunteers have played in the planning and development of this project.