The Province of Prince Edward Island today provided an update on the progress of repairs to facilities at Basin Head.
The Basin Head complex is a major attraction in the Eastern Kings area for local residents and visitors during the tourism season. Opened in 1973, the Basin Head Fisheries Museum highlights the history of Prince Edward Island’s inshore fishery. In addition to the museum, there are related attractions along with wharves and a bridge providing access to the Basin Head beach. The facilities at Basin Head attract approximately 50,000 visitors annually.
“Basin Head is an important part of the tourism economy in this end of the Island. Making these repairs will enable the public to enjoy the facilities as well as the beach area during the summer months,” said Souris-Elmira MLA Andy Mooney, on behalf of Transportation and Public Works Minister Gail Shea and Tourism Minister Philip Brown.
The construction schedule for this project was structured to work around the summer tourism season, allowing visitors to still enjoy use of the museum, beach area and water activities during the summer months. Repair work to the east wharf has been completed to the point where access to the beach area will be unaffected. Work on the cannery support structure is progressing well and will be able to continue into the summer months, without restricting public use of Basin Head. The remaining repair work to the east and west wharves will be completed this fall.
“The repairs are coming along quite nicely,” said Anne Garrett, from the PEI Museum and Heritage Foundation. “We’re looking forward to a busy summer as visitors take in the sights and beautiful scenery here at Basin Head.”