Singer stomps out idea

The dream of a Stompin' Tom Centre in Tignish is over. A group that wants to build the centre said Wednesday the legendary singer isn't interested in the idea.

Connors spent much of his childhood in western P.E.I. The main part of the facility was to be located at the existing cultural centre in Tignish, with additional development down the road at the schoolhouse and homestead where Connors studied and lived.

Negotiations between the Tignish Historical Preservation Foundation and Stompin' Tom Connors have been going on for years. The group wanted to dedicate the centre to the singers life in music.

It said the attraction would draw thousands of fans, creating jobs and economic spinoffs.

The foundation issued a press release on Wednesday saying Connors does not wish to pursue the idea.

MLA Gail Shea said she's disappointed the idea is dead.

"My sense of what happened is that there were negotiations between Tom and Historical Foundation and obviously agreements could not be reached.

"I think this was a great opportunity for the community of Tignish and for Stompin' Tom. The centre would have provided revenue stream to allow the cultural centre to continue operations. It also would have meant the school house in Skinner's Pond would have re-opened, which would have provided some economic development for that area, Skinner's Pond," Shea added.

The future of the school house in Skinner's Pond is also unknown. Connors owns it, and he closed it to the public last year.

• FROM AUG. 21, 2003: Stompin' Tom puts his foot down

Neither the singer or his manager could be reached for comment.

The Tignish Historical Preservation Foundation said it will now focus on finding something else to help keep the existing cultural centre going.