The Pomquet councillor for Antigonish Co. says an $11.2 million project will make the community a focal point for Acadian culture.
The government funding, which was announced Thursday, will be used to renovate École acadienne de Pomquet and construct a new community centre wing.
Remi Deveau, the municipal councillor for Antigonish Co.’s District 5, tells The Hawk it will give everyone in the region a place to engage with their francophone culture.
“It puts basically the community of Pomquet as the focal point of the Acadian area in Antigonish town and county.”
Deveau says he’s blown away community members were able to raise $800,000 for the project.
He says fundraising took years.
Deveau says the site is a natural fit, since the school welcomes students from across the county to Pomquet.
“It’s a growing community- there’s a strong Acadian heritage in the community,” he says. “This will definitely continue to grow our language and culture.”
Deveau says federal officials committed $3.5 million; provincial officials agreed to spend about $7 million.
