News From Champney's West Newfoundland and Labrador

We have some Exciting News to share with our Friends!
Update on the Aquarium Project
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. We believe that this will help the entire region.

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Introduction

The Champney’s West Heritage Group Incorporated (CWHG) is a nonprofit public entity incorporated under the corporations act of Newfoundland and Labrador and headquartered in the community of Champney’s West. The main order of business is to promote the cultural heritage of the community and the region. The undertakings of the CWHG are charitable and beneficial to the community and the region.

Mission Statement

Our mission is to preserve and promote the heritage of the community and the region through the development and operation of educational focused facilities to help convey:

• The cultural heritage of the people, the history of the community and the methods and tools used to forge a living.

• 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 present projects of CWHG follow two specific types of educational focused facilities; one is a traditional museum housing artifacts and genealogical data and the other is a public aquarium housing live aquatic life displays and data presentations relating to the marine ecosystem and environment. A focus of the public aquarium is to articulate the rich historical relationship between residents of Champney’s West and their dependency upon marine life.

All activities of CWHG are targeted to help facilitate educational efforts and awareness of “the historical essence" of our coastal community and the Newfoundland marine environment and are designed to create value well into the future.

Management and Operations

CWHG is managed by a volunteer board of directors who are devoted to achieving the goals of the corporation. The board is composed of full time residents of the community, seasonal residents, persons whom are descendants of historical community families and persons from specific areas of expertise. The board of directors is responsible for overall management of the foundation, planning of undertakings, and execution of projects, budgeting and fiscal management, and related activities.

Specific events and fund raising activities are carried out by enthusiastic volunteers from many walks of life and diverse professions, all of whom have an interest in promoting the community, our culture and the educational based initiatives of the foundation.

Undertakings of the Group

The group is making steady progress and achieving milestones towards its overall objective. It has successfully developed and now operates the Ella Freeman Heritage House Museum, an initiative that began in 2008. The grand opening of the museum took place during the Champney’s West Come Home Year in 2010 at which time it was dedicated to the memory of Ella Freeman the mother of Dr. Marjorie Ragosta who generously donated the original building and genealogical data research that is the result of thousands of hours of her professional work. Read more


Since our successful Come Home Year and dedication of the Ella Freeman Heritage House in 2010, CWHG has been planning and conducting activities aimed at realization of another milestone goal, the development of the Champney’s West Aquarium. This exciting venture is expected to educate school children and visitors about sea creatures in our waters especially as relates to our cultural heritage. The aquarium will also generate additional trade and new aquarium-related businesses for our peninsula, and create local employment opportunities.

We feel that the timing is right for this attraction and many agree with us. This project has confirmed support from Memorial University and the Huntsman Marine Science Centre in New Brunswick and anticipated support from both federal and provincial governments. Many volunteers have contributed time and funds to bring the aquarium to this initial stage. Read more