Coastal Discovery Centre

The Coastal Discovery Centre is a community, social and enterprise centre housed in the former elementary school in Main-à-Dieu. Its purpose is to provide:

• A home for local businesses and entrepreneurs, serving both residents and visitors, with a special focus on establishing the site as a major tourist attraction on the Marconi Trial.

• A venue for social and leisure activities, including fundraising events designed to support and develop the CDC project.

In working to advance these twin objectives, the MCDA is guided by the following principles, considerations and priorities:

• To build on the strong platform already established by the Main-à-Dieu Fishermen’s Museum, to construct the Centre’s appeal and image around the defining themes of fishing and the ocean.

• To ensure that 100% of funds raised under MCDA auspices to support the CDC is invested in the project in the most effective and transparent manner, with a special focus on guaranteeing the longevity and sustainability of the facility.

• To ensure that benefits and opportunities arising from the project are offered and shared as widely as possible to residents in the whole MCDA area.

• To the maximum extent possible, to encourage local business people and potential young entrepreneurs to take advantage of the opportunities offered by the Centre.

• To involve all residents as fully as possible in the Association’s review and development of the project.

The fundamental responsibility of the Association with regard to the project is to raise the funds and maintain the funding partnerships necessary — at the federal, provincial and municipal levels — to secure the financial future of the Centre.

The overarching vision of the Association with regard to the project is to see the Costal Discovery Centre established as the strong, vibrant heart of commercial and social activity in the area, significantly improving the overall well-being of residents and providing a rewarding and enriching experience for visitors.

The CDC project was made possible by the generous financial support of the following agencies and organizations: Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation (ECBC), Human Resources Canada (HRC), Cape Breton Regional Municipality (CBRM), and the Cape Breton County Economic Development Authority (CBCEDA). Additional funding for activities housed in the Centre is also provided by the Province of Nova Scotia and the Cape Breton C@P Society.