ABOVE WATCH: The Halifax Regional Citadel National Historic Site got the bulk of some pre-election money handed out Friday along with two other sites in the city. Global’s Ray Bradshaw reports.
HALIFAX – Millions more in pre-election money was being handed out in Halifax today and this time it was Parks Canada reaping the benefits. The Halifax Citadel National Historic Site is getting the bulk of the money, with two other historic sites in the city, also getting some much needed infrastructure repair funding.
“I’m honoured to be here today to announce over $20 million for infrastructure investments for a number of key projects for Parks Canada sites here in Halifax,” said Scott Armstrong, Conservative MP for Cumberland/Colchester/Musquodoboit Valley.
The announcement at the Halifax Citadel was met with a round of applause.
$12.2 million of that $20 million is ear-marked to repair walls on the south front of the Halifax Citadel National Historic Site.
“A fort that’s 150 years old, there’s lots of issues to be addressed and with the freeze and thaw cycle here in Halifax. The walls do move over time, so it’s a very welcome injection into our our deferred maintenance program,” said Dave Danskin, the Acting Field Unit Superintendent for Parks Canada in Nova Scotia.
The second largest chunk is $4.1 million at the new ‘Heritage Experience Centre’ inside the Citadel walls, replacing the ‘Tides of History’.
“This exhibit will engage visitors in amazing stories of the Citadel and it’s role in shaping Canada on the road to 2017,” said Armstrong.
That will mark Canada’s 150th birthday. Meanwhile, other infrastructure repair projects include road work and guard rails. At the base of Citadel Hill is the Garrison Grounds, which is usually water-soaked, after a heavy rain storm. “The Garrison Grounds, which is used for many events – there’s an event there today in fact – we’re going to do some work there to improve the drainage, so it can be used more often by more groups,” said Danskin.
Another $800,000 will be used to renovate the interior of the iconic Old Town Clock building.
“We are also investing $565,000 in stabilization and restoration work of the york shore battery of the York Redoubt National Historic Site,” noted Armstrong.
Danskin added, “At Point Pleasant Park – the Prince of Wales Tower – we’re putting a roof on there, which is to help keep water off the stones.”
Half a million people visit the Citadel every year. We asked some visitors, if they thought the $20 million is being well spent.
Two visitors from Edmonton had these remarks. “If they don’t take care of it, it’s going to crumble and this won’t be here, so it’s well worth it,” said Catherine Oliver. Her friend Cathy Ridenour added; “The history here, we need it for our kids when they’re growing up and for our grandkids.”
A man from Gail Carlson, Missouri said “If people don’t remember this kind of thing, then they don’t remember their heritage, they don’t know why the world is as it is today and I think that kind of money is well spent.”
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