Building History for the Future
UPDATE ~ June 25, 2009
On June 9, 2009 a majority NDP government, led by Darrell Dexter, was elected in Nova Scotia. On Friday June 19, 2009 Hon. Darrell Dexter took the oath of
office and became the 27th Premier of Nova Scotia, at the same time naming his cabinet to include the Honourable Percy Paris as Minister of
Tourism, Culture and Heritage - a portfolio that includes BLUENOSE.
Monday June 22, 2009 we initiated communication with Minister Paris requesting a meeting whereby we might present our plan for a new BLUENOSE. Premier Dexter - MLA for Cole Harbour, and Pam Birdsall - MLA for Lunenburg, were also contacted; Premier Dexter as our MLA, and Ms. Birdsall as MLA for the region that is home to BLUENOSE and her legacy.
While this venture can be carried to fruition privately, it has always been - and remains - our preference to have a new BLUENOSE built in Nova Scotia in collaboration with the government of Nova Scotia.
Should you feel the inclination to contact your local MLA on our behalf, we appreciate it. We need to see this project move forward in a timely fashion in order to ensure the construction of a new BLUENOSE can be completed traditionally in Nova Scotia, in order to replicate as closely as possible construction of the original vessel that created the legacy - and the lure.
Please click on the following link to find contact information for your regional MLA - and stay tuned for further updates.
Nova Scotia Government Website - Alphabetical List of Members of the Legislative Assembly
UPDATE ~ May 19, 2009Monday June 22, 2009 we initiated communication with Minister Paris requesting a meeting whereby we might present our plan for a new BLUENOSE. Premier Dexter - MLA for Cole Harbour, and Pam Birdsall - MLA for Lunenburg, were also contacted; Premier Dexter as our MLA, and Ms. Birdsall as MLA for the region that is home to BLUENOSE and her legacy.
While this venture can be carried to fruition privately, it has always been - and remains - our preference to have a new BLUENOSE built in Nova Scotia in collaboration with the government of Nova Scotia.
Should you feel the inclination to contact your local MLA on our behalf, we appreciate it. We need to see this project move forward in a timely fashion in order to ensure the construction of a new BLUENOSE can be completed traditionally in Nova Scotia, in order to replicate as closely as possible construction of the original vessel that created the legacy - and the lure.
Please click on the following link to find contact information for your regional MLA - and stay tuned for further updates.
Via email to...
rodneym@ns.sympatico.ca, premier@gov.ns.ca; ddexter@ns.sympatico.ca; stephenmcneil@ns.aliantzinc.ca, office@liberal.ns.ca
From:
Joan E. Roué
Dartmouth, Nova Scotia
902.444.0703 or joan@schoonerbluenose.ca
Date: May 19, 2009
Dear Sirs,
It is with great pride, both as a seventh-generation Nova Scotian - and as the great-granddaughter of William James Roué, designer of BLUENOSE and BLUENOSE II, that I was pleased to learn funding has been earmarked for a much-needed major refit of Nova Scotia's sailing ambassador, BLUENOSE II.
However, since one of you will soon be chosen our Province's leader in the forthcoming election, I feel it prudent to alert all of you to an option of good stead: that of building a new replica of our famed schooner -an alternative that would cost far less than the $14.4 million recently identified for the refit.
The major benefits of new construction are obvious, and could include, but may not be limited to:
- A direct saving to the provincial budget of approximately $7 million.
- A gigantic boost to our economy in conjunction with a public construction site and the major events affiliated with the new construction, such as the keel laying and the launch - expected to attract BLUENOSE, sailing and shipbuilding aficionados from around the world.
- The province would have a new world-class sailing ambassador, built through traditional means specifically to accurately replicate the vessel that made history versus a less than authentic replica almost 50 years old, built in 1963 with original BLUENOSE plans modified for use as a private yacht that was used primarily to sell beer.
- No down-time for BLUENOSE II during the refit, which could take her out of commission for more than one valuable tourism season.
- Ideally, after the new vessel is launched, BLUENOSE II could be used for short hauls or even as a floating museum in Lunenburg - available year-round for those who visit expecting to see her there.
As the exclusive owner of the intellectual property rights associated with the designs for the original BLUENOSE, BLUENOSE II and subsequent replicas, and through exhaustive research and development, we have created a plan to offer Nova Scotians - young and old, near and far, private and corporate - extensive collateral benefits including, but not limited to, the following sectors:
- Education
- Tourism
- Heritage & Culture
- Employment & Industry
- Economy
And so we further augmented our plan for a new BLUENOSE by developing a much-needed heritage boatbuilding program to be implemented in conjunction with the building phase, and beyond; combined forces that will bring global exposure to our province and indeed the nation.
Extensive discussions with NSCC in 2008 have resulted in a Memorandum of Understanding that would see them administer the classroom portion of the heritage boatbuilding program, with on-site trade skills being taught by the Nova Scotia Boatbuilders Association certified mentors already in place at Snyder's Shipyard.
A DIME AT A TIME
Using this plan as a guide - and the $7 million already committed in federal funds, the balance of the cost for new construction could be raised privately, offering at least two colossal benefits:
- No cost to the government of Nova Scotia, potentially saving its share of more than $7 million needed to complete the announced $14.4 million refit of BLUENOSE II.
- By incorporating interactive national fundraising efforts we will aid in the perpetual preservation of the hallowed schooner BLUENOSE legacy for generations to come - by creating automatic treasured connections with all those who contribute to the construction of the new vessel.
We look forward to further discussions, in person, at your earliest convenience.
Sincerely,
Joan E. Roué
Dartmouth, Nova Scotia
902.444.0703 or joan@schoonerbluenose.ca
Cc: The Honourable Peter MacKay, MP - via email Mackap@parl.gc.ca
Attachments:
As a courtesy, in case you are not familiar with the BLUENOSE II refit details referenced herein, two newspaper articles from TheChronicleHerald.ca dated May 1/09 are attached.
- Click here for the first article. (PDF file, Adobe Reader required)
- Click here for the second article. (PDF file, Adobe Reader required)