Antique Boat Museum May Come To Gananoque

Gananoque - The McGuinty government is supporting a feasibility study intended to investigate the possibility of establishing an antique boat museum in Gananoque, Leona Dombrowsky, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, announced today.

"Today's announcement demonstrates the McGuinty government's commitment to rural Ontario," said Dombrowsky. "This proposed museum would help acquire, maintain, restore and preserve St. Lawrence River watercraft, documents and artifacts for current and future generations to enjoy."

The province, through the Rural Economic Development Program, will contribute $54,000 to help the Thousand Islands Antique Boat Museum Trust and the Town of Gananoque undertake market research and a marketing study. The study will cover financial and fundraising assessments and preliminary program and facilities guidelines.

In addition to static exhibits, the museum could also feature water-borne displays, workshops and educational programs.

"Thanks to the support of the provincial government, we will be able to determine the viability of establishing an antique boat museum in Gananoque," said Robert Easton, trustee of the Thousand Islands Antique Boat Museum Trust. "This museum could allow regional residents to learn boat building and restoration skills which can create long-term job opportunities."

Other initiatives that help families in rural Ontario include:

Through the Rural Economic Development Program, the Ontario government and its rural partners are building stronger communities that work better for the people who live in them.