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FIRST PHASE OF RCMP HERITAGE CENTRE LAUNCHED
Natural Resources Canada Minister Ralph Goodale and Premier Roy Romanow today launched the RCMP Heritage Centre, one of the largest new tourism projects for western Canada.
Minister Goodale, on behalf of Ron J. Duhamel, Secretary of State for Western Economic Diversification, and Premier Romanow announced the $6.3 million first phase of the multi-year project. The two governments will provide $4.2 million in cost-shared funding for first-phase capital costs through the Canada/Saskatchewan Western Economic Partnership Agreement (WEPA). The RCMP Heritage Committee has accepted the challenge to raise another $2.1 million through fundraising efforts in the private sector.
This first phase will see the construction of a visitor reception centre at the Dewdney Avenue entrance to Depot Division - the centre will be the starting point for Depot tours. New exhibits will be planned and produced, including a touring exhibit to generate national and international support.
The project's first phase will advance the plans for building the world-class Heritage Centre in phase two. With construction of that facility, the cramped quarters of the existing Centennial Museum would be converted into archival and exhibit preparation space. Cost of the entire project is estimated at $25 million, with private and public sector decisions still to be made on funding the independent second phase.
"The Government of Canada is pleased to be leading the launch of this important project - the creation of potentially the first national museum west of the National Capital Region," said Minister Goodale. "What could be more fitting than a centre which will fully recognize and celebrate the RCMP's contribution in shaping Canada located in Regina, at the 'Home of the RCMP'".
"This new centre will give Saskatchewan another international tourism attraction, telling visitors from around the world the colourful story of the police force that symbolizes Canada," Premier Romanow said, "The centre represents an exciting new development for both our tourism industry and the RCMP itself."
"In addition to being a great source of pride to Canadians, the RCMP is a symbol recognized and respected around the world," said federal Solicitor General Lawrence MacAulay. "This new facility will help ensure the RCMP story is told to more people for years to come."
Frank Hart, Chairman of the Heritage Centre's implementation committee recognized the amount of effort that has gone into the project to date: "we have obtained assessments of the interest from the Canadian business community in becoming financial partners and have had financial summaries prepared based on differing levels of support." Hart says the Heritage Centre has "the potential to be a major travel generator for Western Canada" and the implementation committee will be proceeding on that basis.
The components for phase one include: a theatre and exhibit for visitor orientation; an audio-guide for self-guided tours; displays on community policing and the RCMP Training Service; interpretive panels for the former Commissioner's house and the chapel as well as the restoration of one stable block.
Canadian Heritage will provide technical design and governance expertise for this phase. Plans are for the Centre to be owned and governed by a federal non-profit Corporation. The eight-member RCMP Heritage Committee was established in the fall of 1999 to oversee the implementation of the project.
From 1998 to 2002, the Canada/Saskatchewan WEPA, administered and cost-shared by Western Economic Diversification Canada and Saskatchewan Economic and Co operative Development, will direct $40 million toward initiatives that support new economic infrastructure, tourism products, export and marketing initiatives, and new economic opportunities, including rural and northern economic development.
For additional information, contact::
Joanne Mysak
Manager, Consultations, Marketing and Communications
Western Economic Diversification Canada
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
(306) 975-5942
Debbie Wilkie
Director, Marketing and Corporate Affairs
Saskatchewan Economic and Co-operative Development
Regina, Saskatchewan
(306) 787-1691
Darryl McCallum
Project Manager
RCMP Heritage Committee
Regina, Saskatchewan
(306) 791-4690
WD Toll-Free Number:1-888-338-WEST (9378)
Teletypewriter (TTY): 1-877-303-3388
WD Website: www.wd-deo.gc.ca.
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Backgrounder
RCMP Project Backgrounder
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) is recognized internationally as a symbol of Canada, an icon as easily recognizable as the maple leaf.
The RCMP's history is, for the most part, the history of Western Canada. It has grown to include peacekeeping on a global basis, and mentoring of police forces in developing nations. Its worldwide reputation draws interest from thousands of people every year, yet more could be told about the Force's past and future.
A project is underway which will see the evolution of the Centennial Museum and Depot facility into a National Heritage Centre, fully recognizing and celebrating the RCMP's contribution in the shaping of Canada and its continuance as a world class law enforcement training facility.
The project is made up of two phases.
Phase one will see the building of a Visitor Reception Centre as the cornerstone of the National Heritage Centre. This reception centre will be located at the Dewdney Avenue entrance and will be the starting point for Depot tours. Exhibit planning and production will begin in this phase. A touring exhibit will be sent throughout Canada and to key countries to generate support and interest in the project.
Phase two will see the construction of the National Heritage Centre at the location of the Visitor Reception Centre, established in Phase 1. The current Centennial Museum will become an archival and exhibit preparation facility. This will create a space to allow for rotation and further development of exhibits for the National Heritage Centre and touring exhibits.
Partnerships between Aboriginal organizations, the community, Canadian heritage experts and the RCMP will be forged to ensure that the story told at the Visitor Reception Centre accurately reflects the Force, its role in the development of Canada and its relationships with the communities it serves.
This phase includes plans for the start of a Mountie Youth Academy. The Academy will be a residential program to give youth an opportunity to develop career and life skills under similar conditions to those experienced by RCMP cadets.
Completion costs for the two phases are estimated at $25 million. It is expected that half of these funds will be generated through private sources with the remaining half from the public sector. Support for the development costs associated with the project have come from the federal and provincial governments as well as the Friends of the RCMP.
The implementation team has arrived at a governance and organizational structure which will ensure that all stakeholders, including the RCMP, are comfortable with the decision-making process of the National Heritage Centre.
The completion of the RCMP National Heritage Centre will bring many benefits to all parties involved. The intention is for this facility to become the first "national" museum west of Ottawa while, at the same time, giving the RCMP a facility that befits its international image and reputation. There will also be a benefit to young people in Canada as the Mountie Youth Academy becomes operational. Finally, it will serve as a world class attraction in the heart of the Prairies benefiting Regina and the surrounding communities with increased economic activity.
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