Gasp inaugurates historic town centre redevelopment

Gasp officially unveiled its new Birthplaceof Canadahistoric site in the town's downtown core yesterday.

The inauguration at Point O'Haramarked the 482nd anniversary of French explorer Jacques Cartier planting his famous cross at the same site on July 24, 1534.

The waterfront park along the York Riverfeatures five recreated buildings that once stood onthe same spot, which served asthe town's principal wharf until its buildings were largely razed in the 1970s.

The site includes replicas of an originaltavern, warehouse, store, seaplane base and Mi'kmaq longhouse, among other attractions.

The development also payshomage to Gasp's history as a main port of entry to Canada circa 1900, before it was eclipsed by Halifax,N.S.

"We rebuilt buildings that used to stand at PointO'Hara. Only one original building remains,Lebouthillier House, which was once the Italian consulate and the consulate of Brazil," said Daniel Cot, the mayor of Gasp.

"It's a reminder of our history and gives visitors access to the waterfront It's the new soul, the new heart of Gasp," he said.

A representative of Quebec's current Italian consulate attended the ceremony.

Fabien Sinnett, who grew up at Point O'Hara, spearheaded the redevelopment of the historic site.

He undertook the project to ensure local history was preserved and better understood by the people of Gasp.

"I realized that people of Gasp didn't know their history and were losing it," he said.

"I looked around and I thought who's going to tell this story, so I said I'd try."

The project took 10 years to develop at a cost of around $17 million.