Province says it simply hasn’t

been asked for an interpretive centre

WESTERN SHORE — In light of the success of

Explore Oak Island Days, many are asking why the

province isn’t jumping on the opportunity to build an

interpretive centre. MLA Judy Streatch says they simply

haven’t been asked.

“I’ve not had contact or requests from anyone as of

late to discuss this,” says Ms Streatch.

“If someone were to contact me I would be more

than happy to act in support or to act in consultation

or to attempt to be the facilitator or set up a meeting,”

she adds. “I’m always more than pleased than to fulfill

that role as MLA.”

Danny Hennigar, an executive member of the Oak

Island Tourism Society, says the group met with Ms

Streatch earlier this year to discuss the province purchasing

the island. In April of 2006, 78

per cent of the famous island was up for

sale when the long-time treasure-hunting

company owned by David Tobias

and Dan Blankenship was up for liquidation

sale.

At that time, Ms Streatch did take the

matter to the Department of Natural

Resources and the provincial land-acquisition

officers. Ultimately, Mr. Blankenship

secured new treasure-hunting

partners and Mr. Tobias’ shares were

sold to them instead of the province.

The treasure hunt is set to resume as soon as all

legalities and permits are processed, but Mr. Blankenship

went on record at the time of the sale saying he

would welcome the opportunity to sit down with the

province and the society to discuss public tours.

Mr. Hennigar says the society did apply for a grant

from the Department of Tourism to aid in Explore Oak

Island Days. They were not granted any funds.

Admittedly, he says, they have not sat down with the

province since the sale of the island to talk about a possible

next step. Mr. Hennigar says they will be requesting

a meeting to begin discussions surrounding an

interpretive centre and opening the island for tours.

Although the island would still be privately owned,

he is hoping a partnership between the landowners

and government could be met. He believes it would be

good for the tourism industry and the province. “Who

benefits more from a tourism project than the province

of Nova Scotia?” he says.

Ms Streatch says she welcomes a meeting with the

society and the landowners. “I’ve not been contacted so

therefore I have nothing to move on,” she says.

Although the Oak Island Tourism Society has no

official claims on the island, both the province and Mr.

Blankenship have kept them in the loop.

“Certainly, I know the society has worked diligently

over the years to ensure the true flavour of the island

has not been lost,” says Ms Streatch. “Even though

it’s been privately owned and it certainly hasn’t been

without controversy, I know the society has worked

diligently and extremely hard to make sure that the

island stays in people’s minds.”

Ultimately, the society would like to see the island

opened up to the public. Ms Streatch didn’t specifically

say what she saw for the island’s future.

“Certainly, Oak Island is a unique treasure. It is

something that has intrigued people for hundreds of

years and if there was an opportunity for the province

to play a role in that promotion or if there’s an opportunity

at some point for a development or for acquisition,

then certainly I would hope that the province would in

good faith enter into those types of talks and discussions,”

she says.

Ms Streatch also says there are a lot of issues and

legalities to work out if the province were to enter a

partnership to offer island tours or

build an interpretive centre.

“If indeed there is a general consensus,

if indeed there is a will, if indeed

there is an ability, then that’s something

that all of the different parties

have to come to the table and discuss

and find ways to make sure that all the

needs are met, and that things are done

in a manner that respects jurisdiction,

and respects private landownership

and respects fiscal restraints and that

sort of thing,” she says.

“I know if we lived in a perfect world with no jurisdiction

and no economic restraints, certainly we’d all

love to be able to maximize what’s in front of us, but

again we have to respect jurisdiction, we have to respect

private landowners and we can’t very well barge

in,” she adds.

“Everything in due course,” she says.

Should the island and an interpretive centre be

opened to the public, Mr. Hennigar says the society

is ready to play whatever role they need to serve. If

they are able to be involved, they would be. If there is

no room for them, then Mr. Hennigar says they would

walk away, pleased that the project is under way.

“We could either stay or back away,” he says. “The

key is to get the island opened up for tours and open an

interpretive centre.”

At this point, Mr. Hennigar says their role is to bring

the province and the landowners together.

“We see our role as quarterbacking this thing,” he

says.

The society is planning a meeting with its directors

and hopes to speak to Ms Streatch formally in the

near future. Explore Oak Island Days 2006 offered island

tours to more than 300 people from as far away as Great

Britain.