Government of Canada Grants $175,000 in Funding to Societe d'histoire du Lac-Saint-Jean

ALMA, QUEBEC--(Marketwire - Feb. 21, 2011) - Acting on behalf of the Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of State for Canada Economic Development, the Honourable Jean-Pierre Blackburn, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Minister of State (Agriculture), today announced $175,000 in non-repayable funding to Société d'histoire du Lac-Saint-Jean Inc. Granted through the Community Diversification program, this financial assistance will serve to enhance the content of the L'Odyssée des Bâtisseurs theme park.

"This project of the Société d'histoire du Lac-Saint-Jean will help strengthen the ability of the Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean region to attract visitors from here and all over. By offering this financial assistance, the Government of Canada is once again showing proof of its determination to foster the growth of regional tourism," stated Minister Blackburn.

The first stage of this large-scale project will involve development of a multimedia, multisensory 360° film production on the theme of water, which will be shown in the park's water tower. To complement the site's Au-delà de l'eau permanent exhibit, interactive terminals will also be installed in the Maison des Bâtisseurs to teach visitors about the importance of water and its key role in the economic development of the region.

Discussions are also currently under way to extend tours of the Rio Tinto Alcan (Alma) plant, which are now offered from June to August, into the fall season in order to enable tourists, particularly from abroad, to learn more about this important aluminum smelter. The development of the Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean aluminum industry is intrinsically tied to the region's history. Touring the Rio Tinto Alcan plant adds to the L'Odyssée des Bâtisseurs tourism offering by enriching the experience for visitors.

Completion of this project is expected to result in an increase in local and foreign visitors to the theme park. Moreover, this initiative will lead to the creation of two new jobs in the area, one of them a full-time position, as well as to the maintenance of eight existing jobs.

The development and consolidation of the tourism sector is seen as an undeniable source of economic diversification and wealth creation for Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean, a region grappling with the aftershocks of the forest crisis.

For more information on L'Odyssée des Bâtisseurs, visit www.odysseedesbatisseurs.com.

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