The Town of Yarmouth’s three fountains will be refurbished and landscaping will be done around town signs, thanks to $13,000 in funding from the province that will be matched by the town.
Yarmouth MLA Zach Churchill made the announcement Friday morning in front of the town hall.
“We want visitors to our area, whether they come by land or by sea, to see and enjoy the beauty of our town and all it has to offer,” Churchill said. “The aesthetics of our town are not only important to our visitors but also to our residents and community.”
The provincial funding falls under the government’s downtown beautification project.
Yarmouth Mayor Pam Mood said the town understands the importance beautification plays in economic development and enhancing the quality of life for people.
Speaking to reporters after the July 20 announcement, the mayor said, “Anytime we can up the ante in the town for beautification, it goes a long way.”
The funding – $26,000 all told between the province and town – will go towards work on the town’s north and south fountains, as well as the fountain in Frost Park.
“They’re historical,” said the mayor, referring to the fountains. “Everybody appreciates them. As well, we will be putting some funding into some signage that welcomes folks to town.”
The mayor said she gets excited when she hears from people who say they like what the town has done in recent years with things like the installation of benches and bump-outs.
She cited the example of seniors who perhaps used to come into the downtown by taxi and then go home.
“Now they’re coming, they’re buying their coffee, they’re sitting with their friends, so it’s not just economic development,” the mayor said. “It’s about growing community and that’s tremendously important to us.”
Through its $500,000 beautification and streetscaping program, the province will contribute up to 50 per cent of the costs of municipal projects with a minimum contribution of $10,000 and a maximum of $25,000, the government said in a news release.
