News Release

LAC-BAKER (CNB) – A permanent festival tent, located on the shore of Lac-Baker, was officially inaugurated today. The tent, expected to benefit the entire community, is the result of investments made by the provincial and federal governments as well as the Village of Lac-Baker.

"The provincial government is proud to be a partner in this recreational infrastructure project," said Madawaska-les-Lacs MLA Yvon Bonenfant, representing Economic Development Minister Paul Robichaud.

The facility will enable Lac-Baker to host larger-scale events such as the Lac Baker Tourism Festival during the summer and pond hockey and ice fishing tournaments in the winter. The facility will be used to support the Acadian World Congress in 2014.

"Our support of the construction of a permanent festival tent and the recent upgrades to the lakeside pavilion are investments in the health of the families that are building their futures in the Lac-Baker area and in the vitality of a community itself," said Bernard Valcourt, minister of state for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and for the Francophonie. "This investment will help diversify the region's economy and allow Lac-Baker to support activities such as the Acadian World Congress in 2014."

The tent is the second major initiative undertaken by the municipality to revitalize the Lac-Baker park and beach. With the recent renovations to the lakeside pavilion housing change rooms and washrooms, the municipality can now offer better amenities to residents and visitors who participate in water sports, swimming, volleyball and hiking by the lake.
 
"The community is very proud of its new permanent tent,” said Lac-Baker Mayor Jean-Marc Nadeau. “It will be a new tourism attraction for Lac-Baker. Several interesting activities, such as the tourism festival, can take place here. This year, it attracted record crowds, and I am certain that the permanent tent was the main reason. I thank the provincial and federal governments for their financial support in the realization of this project."

The provincial government, through the Regional Development Corporation, contributed $63,000. The federal government invested $61,000 through the Recreational Infrastructure Canada program, while the Village of Lac-Baker contributed $65,000.