To date many volunteers have worked diligently on exploring the opportunity in depth, recruiting supporters, raising funds, researching, writing and promoting, evaluating land and doing many other exciting things required to help make it a reality.
Since the original Aquarium Center plan our horizons have expanded to join forces with the Ocean Learning Partnership (OLP).
The Oceans Learning Partnership (OLP) is collaborating with the Holyrood Marine Base, Ocean Sciences Centre, Bonne Bay Marine Station, Terra Nova National Park and now Champey’s West to introduce an exciting new marine science and technology program for high school students – the Coastal Explorers Field Program.
The primary goal of the Coastal Explorers Field Program is to stimulate interest in and enthusiasm for ocean science and associated marine technologies through hands-on learning experiences at sea. It will also create awareness among students and teachers of the diverse range of career opportunities available in ocean-related sectors.
The model for an at-sea field program for students is the ‘floating classroom’, developed and field tested by retired marine educator and shipmaster Captain Jan Negrijn.
Collaboration with the OLP will elevate the activities of visitors to the aquarium from passive to active participation and moreover by virtue of the teaching programs, will extend the number of months over which the facility will be open.
This exciting venture is expected to educate school children and visitors about sea creatures in our waters, while showcasing the relationship between past and present residents of the community with the marine ecology of the area and aquatic life found in the region. The eventual construction and operation of this facility is also expected to generate additional trade and new aquarium-related businesses for the Bonavista Peninsula, and create local employment opportunities.
 |
| Artist Rendition of Aquarium Building - For Illustration Purposes |
Goals and Objectives
The Marine Aquarium will be established in Champney’s West and include four large aquarium viewing tanks and a touch tank. The Centre will open to the public from June until October annually, engaging four seasonal employees. Ultimately this attraction will be financially self-sufficient by revenue derived primarily from admission fees and the sale of marine biology related souvenirs and craft items.
While the primary objective of the facility is to educate and raise awareness of the marine eco-system and its relationships to the culture and history of the area, an equally important objective of the Champney’s West Marine Aquarium is to strengthen the community infrastructure, and in doing so improve the economic development capacity while enhancing visitor experience.
The Need the Market and Methods
The number of facilities in Newfoundland available for the general public to view live marine animals is limited. There are touch tanks at: the Ocean Sciences Centre, Memorial University, St. John’s (3.5 hours away); Terra Nova National Park (2 hours away); and Bonne Bay (8 hours away). Since there is a limited opportunity to view marine organisms the proposed aquarium fills a tourist and educational niche on the Bonavista peninsula. Champney’s West will be a unique experience by adding a ‘cultural’ experience. Stories gathered from local residents will focus on the connection between the people and marine life.
Story suggestions would include:
· recollections of childhood memories of fishing off the wharf;The ‘cultural’ background will showcase how Newfoundlanders and Labradorians have survived the centuries through innovation and by having a “waste not - want not” mindset. The cultural, educational and economic aspects of this project are important considering that the community was settled in 1655 and is to this day a lively example of the provinces history and cultural heritage.
· local names of marine life;
· how the value of species has changed over the last 500 years;
· the best kelp for the garden; and
· use of various marine life and how everything was used, i.e., eel skin for shoe laces.
. alternative sources of bait such as clams when traditional sources failed...,
The community is home to the Fox Island walking trail, and the Ella Freeman Heritage House museum. Already, each year hundreds of people are attracted to the community as a result of the increasingly popular Champney's West celebrations and the "old Fashioned concerts" that the volunteer group conducts annually. On a steadily increasing annual basis the number of people that visit Champney's West to witness the unspoiled beauty of the shoreline and the ocean, increases.
As a place to visit, the community is becoming a more popular stop along the discovery trail each year due in no small part to an energetic group of volunteers in Champney’s West who have successfully developed annual events and projects within the community that are centered on celebrating the cultural heritage of “The Island” and its people. These events now attract hundreds of people to the community at different times throughout the year. The aquarium centre is a fitting undertaking to enhance and build upon the resilient characteristics of the community and the people.
~ Your Donation Will Help Make a Difference In The Future Of An Historic Community ~
