'Opening up' Georges Island: New wharf, better facilities coming for 2020

A seldom-visited island in Halifax harbour may finally be open to the public starting next summer.

The federal and provincial governments are teaming up to build a new $2-million wharf on Georges Island.

Ottawa plans to spend an additional $1.6-million on upgrades that will make those visits more enjoyable and comfortable.

"At long last we are opening up Georges Island," Halifax MP Andy Fillmore said triumphantly at the official announcement on Friday, the island visibleover his shoulder through a thin mist.

Eric Nielsen, a Parks Canada superintendent, said the hope is to have the new wharf and other upgrades completed in time for the summer of 2020.

"At some point between the first of June and the first of July," he said to reporters. The target date is June 15.

The construction of the new wharf will be the responsibility ofDevelop Nova Scotia, the provincial agency that is responsible for waterfront projects in Halifax.

Jennifer Angel, Develop Nova Scotia's president and CEO, said a tender for the work should be issued this fall.

Once it's built, Develop Nova Scotia will manage the wharf and the associated docking facilities.

"Our intention is it will provide for free daily berthingand public access to the marina infrastructure and also a platform for business to bringtransportation solutions to the island," said Angel.

"We'll go to market and invite tour operators of different shapes and sizes, different types of boats to tell us how they can bring people to the island."

Visitors currently must ask Parks Canada for permission to visit the island. There are no-trespassing signs posted.

Nielsen says that will change once the new wharf is installed.

Although the plancalls for new interpretation panels and better trails, both Ottawa and the province are looking for the site to retain its "authentic" look.

Parks Canada usually charges a fee to visit its sites and that is likely to be the case for Georges Island. An amount has not been determined.

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