LUNENBURG - Bluenose II will be undergoing a massive refit beginning early in the new year, but exactly where and by whom has not yet been determined.

 Last spring the federal government announced they would commit $7 million to what essentially would be a keel-up restoration of the 46-year-old vessel, part of their economic stimulus program and a figure that the previous provincial government under former premier Rodney MacDonald agreed to match.

 Following the defeat of the provincial Conservatives in June, Darrell Dexter and his new NDP government remained committed to the project, and two requests for proposals (RFP) were issued to secure project management services for the work and for a consultant to prepare the design specifications of the refit.

 Michael Noonan, director of communications for the Department of Tourism, Culture and Heritage said those RFPs close at the end of September, with the winning bids expected to be announced by mid-October.

 "What will take place between that point and when the construction tender process begins early in the new year, is the work will happen on the design, developing the details of drawing and specifications that will be necessary to undertake the construction work," he explained.

 While it cannot be confirmed where the refit will take place until after the construction tender is awarded, Mr. Noonan said "the expectation certainly is that it will happen in Lunenburg itself.

 "The project has been put together with that expectation in mind," he said.

 Although details of the refit are not complete, Mr. Noonan said that he believes there will be provisions for some sort of public access to the project site "from an interpretive angle," and that will be included in the tender.

 "And the expectation is that it will not cost the entire $14 million, but of course you always build in contingencies in case things happen that you can't anticipate," he said.

 The project, which will cost Bluenose II the entire 2010 sailing season, must be completed by March 2011 as mandated by the federal infrastructure stimulus program.

posted on 09/22/09