Province Provides Update on Damage to Basin Head

The Province of Prince Edward Island today provided an update to the public on the status of the Basin Head complex following the storm surge in late December which caused extensive damage to the facilities. The Basin Head complex is a major attraction in the Eastern Kings area to both local residents and visitors during the summer tourism season. The Basin Head Fisheries Museum was opened in 1973 and provides a glimpse into the history of Prince Edward Island’s inshore fishery. The complex includes the museum with related attractions as well as two wharf structures connected by a foot bridge that provides access to the Basin Head beach. The old Basin Head Cannery building is also part of the site and is used for retail purposes. Basin Head attracts upwards of 50,000 visitors annually and is highly valued by the local business community as an economic generator for the area. “Basin Head is one of those special PEI beaches that sets us apart from the rest of the world. Islanders and visitors alike have come to appreciate this place as unique, combining the chance to learn about the province’s fishing heritage and enjoy one of Prince Edward Island’s best beaches at the same location. It’s a central piece to the Eastern Kings tourism product and it must be preserved,” said Tourism Minister Philip Brown. Provincial engineers, with help from their federal Public Works counterparts, have completed a damage assessment and are now moving forward to look at what design options exist to repair or replace the damaged facilities. “The damage at Basin Head is quite significant,” said Transportation and Public Works Minister Gail Shea. “My department is taking the lead with the engineering and eventual construction management. What we know at this point, is that the work required is extensive and it is quite likely that very little, if anything can be salvaged from the wharf structures. The cannery foundation damage is serious as well, so we can see a fairly large project in the future. Our intention is to call for proposals for design services right away and it will be that work assignment that will give us the detail we need to know about what is required from a budgetary standpoint. As soon as we know what’s involved, we will consult with the community and business leaders most affected by this and present the design options and discuss how best to coordinate construction with the upcoming tourism season.” Shea also advised that the province has approached federal government officials about project eligibility within their disaster assistance programs. Based on the initial discussions, there’s optimism that some help from the federal government might be available.