MIL OSI Translation. Canadian French to English –
Source: Government of Canada – in French 1
Support for four Cape Breton businesses enhances visitor experience year-round
September 27, 2024 Ingonish, Nova Scotia Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA)
Cape Breton’s welcoming culture, outdoor experiences and exceptional landscapes attract visitors from around the world. The Government of Canada, through ACOA, is investing a total of $1,262,165 to support winter activities and expand accommodation options in Ingonish, which will help extend the tourism season in the region.
Cape Smokey Holding Ltd. receives $578,575 repayable contribution under the program Regional economic growth through innovation (CERI) to improve its power generation capacity. Power poles, three-phase power lines and modern systems will be installed from the middle to the top of the ski area, and a control room building will be constructed. This work will allow Cape Smokey to meet the power needs of its current facilities and tourism projects, and significantly increase its snowmaking capacity, ensuring consistent snow conditions for visitors. It will also allow the company to stop using its diesel generator on a daily basis, which will improve air quality and reduce noise.
Cape Smokey is located in Ingonish, along the Cabot Trail and within Cape Breton Highlands National Park. It was built in the 1970s and was operated for many years by local volunteers. In 2019, new owners purchased the property and began work to transform it into a four-season destination for outdoor enthusiasts. In addition to the ski hill and gondola, plans for the site include a treetop trail, accommodations, a residential project and a marina.
The Cabot Snowmobile Club of Cape Breton Island (CSC) is receiving a non-repayable contribution of $299,840 through the Innovative Communities Fund (FCI) to complete the second phase of improvements to Trail No. 758, also known as the Mary Barker Trail, between Ingonish and Wreck Cove. As part of this phase, the snowmobile club will undertake stump removal, rough and fine grading, culvert installation, ditch and drainage work, silt and sediment control and resurfacing where necessary. This work will create a more functional trail that can be used year-round by residents and tourists. This will help make Ingonish a starting point for tourism activities year-round.
The CSC was incorporated as a non-profit society in 1973 and currently has 90 members. It is a member of the Snowmobilers Association of Nova Scotia (SANS). The CSC is responsible for the maintenance and grooming of over 200 km of SANS trails in the Cape Breton Highlands. It is one of six snowmobile clubs in Cape Breton that collaborate in the maintenance and grooming of the trail system. It relies heavily on volunteer members to enhance and maintain the trail system that attracts visitors and residents throughout the year.
Ingonish Harbour-View Chalets receives a repayable contribution of $233,750 under the Tourism Growth Program to build two A-frame cottages, each sleeping eight people. The cottages will be located two kilometres from Cape Smokey, at the harbour entrance, and directly on the famous Cabot Trail. These year-round cottages will meet the accommodation needs of larger groups.
Cabot Chalets is a new business owned by Juanita Butler and her brother, Patrick Barron. Growing up in Ingonish, they know that winter accommodation options are scarce in Victoria County. The business’s goal is to become a premier destination for tourists by offering luxury accommodations with high-end services, while focusing on unmatched customer service.
MacKinnon House Ltd. receives $150,000 repayable contribution under the Tourism Growth Program to build five new visitor accommodation cottages near the MacKinnon House site in Ingonish. The cottages will be operated under the name Smokey Cove Cottages. The cottages will accommodate groups of varying sizes and help increase the accommodation capacity for year-round visitors, while providing a home base for exploring Cape Breton Highlands National Park and the Cabot Trail.
MacKinnon House Ltd. is owned by Perry MacKinnon and sits on property that was once the site of a lighthouse operated by Perry’s grandfather until 1956. MacKinnon House is a four-room, year-round tourist property on the Cabot Trail near Cape Smokey Mountain.
Connor BurtonPress SecretaryOffice of the Minister of Rural Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities AgencyConnor.Burton@acoa-apeca.gc.ca
Lauren SinclairDirector of CommunicationsAtlantic Canada Opportunities AgencyLauren.Sinclair@acoa-apeca.gc.ca782-641-6365
Clifford AuCoinPresidentCabot Snowmobile Club of Cape Breton Islandftaucoin@hotmail.com902-563-6749
Perry MacKinnonOwnerMacKinnon House Ltd.pmackinnon3@gmail.com902-285-4261
EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a translation. Apologies should the grammar and/or sentence structure not be perfect.