Dear Minister Mackay:

The development of tourism activity requires the development of a supportive infrastructure and the Garrick Theatre is a carefully-considered aspect of such infrastructure. One of the problems with tourism thinking in Newfoundland is that the season is and should be 10-12 weeks, that is, merely for the summer months. If we are to achieve a proper return on our investment, which is often ACOA's investment, we need to ensure a longer-term use of the facilties we develop for two reasons: to extend the tourist season and to make those facilities more than tourism-dependant.

The proposal for the Garrick will do that for both Bonavista and its peninsula for it will provide a facility that is not weather-dependant, thus not seasonal in use. It will also extend the range of cultural facilities available on the peninsula complementing the educational institutions and - very important for long-term sustainability of rural areas - increase the attractiveness of the area for permanent residents, in particular for residents who might contemplate employment or the creation of businesses in the area.

I strongly recommend that ACOA support the completion of this project.

Yours sincerely,
Shane O'Dea
St. John's
sodea@mun.ca

cc:
Hon. Loyola Hearn, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans
Hon. Danny Williams, Premier, Newfoundland and Labrador
Hon. Tom Hedderson, Minister, Tourism, Culture and Recreation
Hon. Kathy Dunderdale, Minister, Innovation, Trade and Rural Development
Scott Simms, M.P., Bonavista Gander Grand Falls-Windsor
Roger Fitzgerald, M.H.A., Bonavista South
Paul Mills, Vice-President (Newfoundland and Labrador), ACOA
Mayor Betty Fitzgerald, Town of Bonavista

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