The Town of Shelburne to receive assistance for new Guild Hall events facility

July, 2015 – Shelburne, N.S. – Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency

Over the years, Shelburne’s historic architecture and seaside vistas have doubled for 17th century Salem, Massachusetts and other cinematic locations. The Guild Hall, built in 1994 for the film The Scarlet Letter, was used subsequently as an events and community facility. The building was never intended to serve as a permanent structure and its current state of disrepair requires that it be shut down. Community consultations have concluded that a new multifunctional events space suitable for concerts, festivals and the Shelburne Farmer’s Market is needed. The consultations have developed a consensus to cease spending on the aging and impractical current building and to construct a new Guild Hall on the same site to meet current and anticipated community needs.

In order to ensure that the Town of Shelburne will have the viable community venue, the Government of Canada is investing $203,000 through ACOA’s Innovative Communities Fund (ICF) to construct a new tourism events facility and establish a signage program to promote key tourism experiences, interest points and attractions. Parliamentary Secretary Gerald Keddy, on behalf of the Honourable Rob Moore, Minister of State (ACOA), joined Shelburne Mayor Karen Mattatall today for the announcement.

The multi-faceted signage will better promote key tourism destinations and attractions in Shelburne, leading to increased visitation and visitor retention. Enhanced directional signage will facilitate easier access for travellers to key points of interest.

Quick Facts:

Construction of the new Guild Hall will provide the opportunity to improve accessibility for patrons, enhance functionality during inclement weather, extend the season for usage and add much-needed storage.
The Shelburne Farmer’s Market, held in the Guild Hall, runs every Saturday from June to October and attracts over 20 vendors and 300 people daily through its doors.

Quotes:

“This new investment in tourism will result in real benefits for Shelburne including a more permanent home and presence for the local arts community as well as a focal point and gathering place for visitors. Our Government is pleased to support a new Guild Hall for the Town of Shelburne and surrounding communities as an important component of encouraging visitors and residents alike to discover everything the region has to offer.”

– Gerald Keddy, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Agriculture, to the Minister of National Revenue and for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and Member of Parliament for South Shore-St. Margaret’s, on behalf of the Honourable Rob Moore, Minister of State (Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency)

“The replacement of the current Guild Hall with a permanent structure has really been a community-driven project and the Town Council is very happy to say that, with the support of the Government of Canada, the community’s vision for a new and improved Guild Hall will be realized.”

– Karen Mattatall, Mayor, Town of Shelburne

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IMAGE: Shelburne Guildhall www.novanewsnow.com