O'Leary -
A member of the Board of Directors of the P.E.I. Potato Museum has great expectations for an addition now under construction. The P.E.I. Antique Farm Machinery Gallery, said John Martin, "will likely be a flagship for all of Canada, just like the Potato Museum is a flagship for all of Canada."
Martin presided over the official announcement Tuesday that the federal and provincial governments are contributing more than $195,000 towards the construction of the 7,200-square-foot pole barn addition. It will be connected to the back of the potato museum by a breezeway.
Martin said the potato museum is already the second most visited tourism destination in West Prince. "That's only something we can build on," he added.
"Anytime we add something to the tourism product," acknowledged Egmont MP Gail Shea, "it's that much more we can put on the table for folks to do up West."
Tied in with tourism attractions at West Point, North Cape and Northport, O'Leary Inverness MLA Robert Henderson said the museum expansion can help to extend a tourist's stay in West Prince.
"I think this is going to be a big draw for tourists in West Prince," added O'Leary council chair Nancy Wallace.
The Government of Canada is contributing $43,000 to the expansion through its Community Adjustment Fund, and the Province of P.E.I. is investing $152,050 through the Island Community Fund.
