ST. STEPHEN (GNB) – An investment of $150,000 is being made in the Turning the Corner project in St. Stephen to commemorate Canada’s 150th anniversary.
The project involves creating a public space on the former site of the town’s post office, which was demolished due to safety concerns. It is part of a larger effort to promote cultural and economic development in the community.
“As one of the founding provinces that formed Confederation, New Brunswick has a deep history that is rooted in how Canada is shaped today,” said Tourism, Heritage and Culture Minister John Ames. “This project in St. Stephen is a perfect example of this history and how we are celebrating it this year during Canada’s 150th anniversary.”
Ames spoke on behalf of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour Minister Donald Arseneault, who is also the minister responsible for the Regional Development Corporation.
The public space will include a brick and granite structure with four clock faces and the words “post office” carved on a lintel. Many of the materials were acquired from the original post office.
“Turning the Corner is a community project that started from a group of citizens with an idea and a hope of recreating a major corner in the town that was a hub of social activity,” said St. Stephen Mayor Allan MacEachern. “The former post office was a place for people to gather, to share personal stories and spread the news of the town. This project will create an outdoor space for people to gather, to celebrate community and our rich history, and it will connect several significant historical people and places for St. Stephen.”
Funding is provided under the Program for Municipal Development to Commemorate Canada’s 150th Anniversary. Municipalities with populations of more than 4,000 and less than 25,000 were eligible to apply for funding of up to $150,000 for beautification projects to contribute to a vibrant and attractive downtown and to commemorate Canada’s 150th anniversary.
01-07-17