2014 celebrations' legacy questioned
Charlottetown Conference celebrations largely focused on attracting tourists
With the summer celebrations for 2014 on P.E.I. drawing to a close, politicians are starting to consider the legacy of the $28 million spent.
2014 marks the 150th anniversary of the Charlottetown Conference, the meeting which launched the talks that led to the creation of Canada.
In 1964, for the centenary of the meeting, the Confederation Centre of the Arts was built in downtown Charlottetown. No such major legacy is part of the 2014 celebrations, but not because one wasn't talked about.
"I don't think it's any secret. The city was hoping for a provincial museum," said Charlottetown Mayor Clifford Lee Thursday.
"We understand that didn't happen."
Provincial Tourism Minister Rob Henderson said that kind of legacy was considered.
"At this particular time we weren't able to put together the packages that would have created that building or structure or something that would have continued on," said Henderson.
Henderson goes on to point out there have been a number of smaller, lasting projects established across the province: new plays, walking trails, community gardens. On Thursday, statues of the two John Hamilton Greys who attended the Charlottetown Conference were unveiled on Great George Street.
"I think if you look at issues like statues, issues like plays, these are things that will continue on," he said.
While Lee is disappointed by the lack of a museum, he hastens to add the celebrations have been a boon for the capital city. Sponsored arts events, a celebration zone on the waterfront, and other projects have kept tourists busy.
"In the city of Charlottetown it's been a tremendous year," he said.
Just how tremendous will be the subject of an independent audit after the full year of celebrations are over. The province has hired the consulting firm MRSB to assess the value and the spinoffs from the 2014 celebrations.
Henderson said it is prudent for the province to determine just what the return on the investment is.
For mobile device users: Is the money spent on 2014 celebrations well spent?