Much of the Site’s tremendous potential, however, has remained untapped. That remarkable potential has been recognized and expressed by many individuals and groups over the last decade. Collectively, they voiced a desire to see the site reinvigorated through the development of engaging new visitor experiences and attractive facilities that would increase visitation, revitalize the site’s profile, and create greater relevance to the public (both Islanders and visitors).

The catalyst for redeveloprnent at Port—la—Joye — Fort Amherst occurred in 2005, when an unfortunate mechanical malfunction caused extensive water damage in the site’s Visitor Reception Centre. Rather than invest financially in repairing a building that had not yet been studied for future site growth, Parks Canada elected to begin a project to cooperatively plan a comprehensive redevelopment that would encompass the entire Port—la-Joye — Fort Amherst site.

Q Notes d’allocution de M. Kinsey Smith au nom de la Royal Commonwealth Society of Prince Edward Island

The need for greater consultation with, and involvement of, stakeholder and community groups was immediately recognized as essential t0 the redevelopment planning process for Port-la-one -— Fort Amherst. Discussions with representatives of key stakeholder groups were thus initiated to begin the first step in the planning process — establishing a vision for redevelopment at the site. Representation from three organizations — The Mi'kmaq Confederacy of PEI (MCPEI), La Société Saint Thomas d’Aquin (SSTA), and The Royal Commonwealth Society Prince Edward Island — reflect the interests of Mi’kmaq, Acadian and Francophone, and British cultural groups respectively at this Site and in this collaborative process. Our groups possess a deep interest and affinity for Port-la—one — Fort Amherst, as a result of deep- rooted cultural and in several cases, famin connections to the Site. The group has come together in a spirit of respect and appreciation for all of the histories present.

A Memorandum of Understanding signed by these parties and the Parks Canada Agency in May of 2007 formalized this partnership and expressed the mission, goals, and objectives of the Port—la—Joye — Fort Amherst Redevelopment Committee.

The basis of the Redevelopment Committee’s work has been:

0 To create a vision for the revitalization of Port—la—Joye — Fort Amherst, for recommendation to Parks Canada; and

0 make recommendations and oversee (if/where necessary) the creation of an agreement or entity which may subsequently assist Parks Canada in the realization of this vision.

Recognizing that there are other interested stakeholders who can also make valuable contributions to the process, the Committee held workshops on July '10, 2007 and June 16, 2008 to discuss the creation of a redevelopment vision for the site and gather additional stakeholder input. The Port-la—Joye —— Fort Amherst Redevelopment Committee wishes to recognize the input ot' the broad range of stakeholders, from a wide variety of fields, who have made significant contributions to this Vision for Redevelopment.

"l‘he report ot this committee encompasses four overarching goals:

0 Croate an historical and cultural experienœ unique in Atlantic Canada

0 lncrease awareness and appreciation of Port—la—joye n Fort Amherst and its history

0 lncrease visitation

0 Continue to provlde opportunities for community involvement in the future direction and

redevelopment of the site.

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