CANSO — With its first round of public consultations scheduled for next week, the Canso Peninsula Fisheries Heritage Society (CPFHS) is entering a new phase in its journey from mere concept to cultural hub for this coastal community, organizers say.
“It just makes common sense to have public consultation and input now,” said Harold Roberts, CPFHS director and president of the Canso and Area Development Association (CADA), about the meetings in Canso, Whitehead and Paqtnkek Mi’kmaw Nation on Oct. 23 and 24, where community members are invited to view a 3D model of the proposed new fisheries heritage centre for the foot of Whitman’s Wharf. “We want all the input we [can] get.”
First conceived in the late 1990s, the idea of building the centre to anchor Canso’s waterfront remerged three years ago, when members of CADA sought to create something more than than a simple museum.
As Roberts told The Journal last year, “It will have artifacts, but it will [also] have multifaceted functions,” he said. “[It will be] good for a variety of things, including for bringing in tourists.”
Since then, the project has undergone a series of transformations – including conceptual drawings, a 3D model of the proposed facility, and preliminary economic impact and business planning – culminating in the formation of CPFHS on May 29 as a provincial non-profit to spearhead the initiative henceforth.
“The community consultations are one more step,” Roberts said last week. “We have to go to them with something that we can show them.”
A community announcement invites the public to “come and see... We will present our vision of a new structure to showcase 500 years of fisheries heritage, one that includes all aspects of our culture and connection to our coastline from Queensport to Canso to Tor Bay.”
Said Roberts: “What we’ve done is clearly preliminary; nothing is actually installed... We’ve engaged [consultants Fathom Studio of Dartmouth], who are very adept at developing waterfront projects... that will meet the needs of what the community wants... The board will distill the public input, and the consultants will have their time with it.”
The community meetings will also provide an opportunity for members of the public to get more directly involved in the project, he said.
“There is a good cross representation on the board, but we are open to any member of the community who wishes to step forward and offer their time. There will be a seat at the table for them.”
Apart from Roberts (director) and Bill MacMillan (registered agent), the CPFHS board members and officers include area residents Shane Richard (president), Mark Haynes (vice-president), Ginny Boudreau (secretary), Kenny Snow (treasurer), Matthew Cook (director), Lindsay Marshall (director), Kerry Prosper (director) and Paul Ehler (director).
Mike Feltmate, a member of the Guysborough District Business Partnership’s board, also sits as a director of the new organization, as does Municipality of the District of Guysborough councillor for Canso/Tickle, Fin Armsworthy, as an ex-officio board member.
Roberts said the next focus for the project will be building a business case and economic impact study necessary for fundraising, at which point, “It will be incumbent [on the board] to go forward with an application for capital funding.”
The public meetings are scheduled for the Canso Fire Hall, at 6:30 p.m., on Wednesday, Oct. 23; Paqtnkek Elders Hall, at 1 p.m., and the Whitehead Community Centre, at 6:30 p.m., on Thursday, Oct. 24.
