A permanent vendor village using shipping containers will be set up on Port Saint John property to boost waterfront access, tourism and waterfront events. (Photo submitted by ACOA)
Funding from Ottawa and Fredericton will see a vendor village with shipping containers permanently established on property belonging to Port Saint John.
The hope is the shipping container village increases public access to the waterfront, adds new tourism experiences for cruise ship passengers and support events like the AREA 506 waterfront concert series.
Saint John-Rothesay MP Wayne Long said for the tourism industry to come back strong, we need the support of the community.
“That is why we are proud to develop tourism infrastructure like the container village in Saint John, which will help reposition Atlantic Canada as a destination of choice and prepare the region to welcome more visitors when the time is right,” Long said.
Gary Crossman, the minister responsible for the Regional Development Corporation, said by investing in this type of infrastructure, they are positioning the tourism sector for a strong recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
“This shipping container village, combined with other recent investments in uptown infrastructure and the Fundy Quay development, are transforming the city and will help build a better New Brunswick,” Crossman said.
More than $1.2 million is coming from the Federal government through the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency while the provincial contribution of $450,000 is from the Regional Development Corporation.
“We are pleased and excited today to share in this announcement of a new and permanent container village on Water Street, adjacent to our primary cruise terminal. This development, and our partnership with the AREA 506 team, represents a unique opportunity to expand waterfront access to both residents and visitors,” said Captain Chris Hall, interim CEO for the Saint John Port Authority. “The development will provide engaging retail opportunities, outdoor performance areas, and community-oriented spaces that both elevate and complement the great existing attractions in our Uptown core as well as those currently in development in our port city. With our partners at Area 506 we thank both the Government of Canada and Province of New Brunswick for their support in creating this new attraction for the waterfront.”
Governments officials and stakeholders also hope the shipping container village will attract local tourists and support local businesses.
“Since our inception in 2016, Port Saint John has been an incredible partner and we could not be happier to work with them to develop a new, permanent home to elevate the experience for cruise passengers, as well as to create an incredible new destination for local residents and regional tourism,” said Ray Gracewood, founder and chair of AREA 506. “We are excited to extend the AREA 506 experience across the entire season to provide a place for live entertainment, waterfront drinks and incredible retail experiences beginning next spring.”
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