Unveiling ‘big’ ideas

Sea++ Louisbourg finale set for Sunday

Louisbourg Seafoods went fishing for economic development ideas and company officials say they landed some big ones.

In partnership with the George D. Lewis Gateways to Opportunity Society, Louisbourg Seafoods is hosting the finale of the Sea ++ Louisbourg contest at the George D. Lewis school, Sunday at 2 p.m.

“We will be announcing the winners,” said Jenna Lahey of Louisbourg Seafoods, adding prizes will total $2,000.

The competition began in December and participants were asked to focus on five main areas — oceans, seasonality, community and heritage, tourism and tech, and innovation — but were not limited to just those issues.

Competitors were asked to submit a short proposal to deal with the challenges of helping Louisbourg going forward.

Lahey said the idea is to bring the residents together and show they have good ideas to implement.

Winners can do whatever they want with the prize money but it’s hoped they will want to move their idea forward and Louisbourg Seafood will help do that.

“We’re launching the program, we will be informing the public how it is happening.”

The finale will also include the launch of the Heritage Boat Building Project under the guidance of Louisbourg Seafoods, the Fortress of Louisbourg,

Mahon’s Mechanical and the George D. Lewis Gateways to Opportunity Society.

Lahey said there has been a vacant building on the Louisbourg waterfront for years.

“It’s being remodelled now and we’re using it as a heritage boat building shop.”

She said they are partnering with Darcy Harte, a boat builder with Parks Canada at Fortress Louisbourg.

She said instead of doing interpretation at the fortress, Parks Canada will have Harte at the waterfront.

“They are lending him to us. He will be in our building on the waterfront focusing on 18th century boat building.”

She said he’s working on fishing a boat to be launched on Canada Day.

Justin Mahon, president of the George D. Lewis Gateway to Opportunities Society, said the contest finale and boat launch shows the community of Louisbourg has come together to work towards a better future.

“Through partnerships like the ones we have with the Fortress of Louisbourg and Louisbourg Seafoods we are able to take the first step for a project that will offer long-term economic stability for Louisbourg.”