World-Class Tourist Facility and Observatory Planned for Ontario

Date Announced: 10 Jul 2012

Canada's most powerful 'scope will join search for exoplanets.

GRIFFITH, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - July 10, 2012) - The Madawaska Highlands Observatory Corp. is planning to build the most powerful telescope in Canada and a world-class tourist facility in the Madawaska Highlands, 90 minutes west of Ottawa.

The Wide-Field Telescope (WFT) is designed to discover exo-planets and is expected to discover hundreds over the course of its lifetime. The 12,000 ft² Visitors Centre will be the largest commercial energy independent (off-grid) building in Canada, powered with 100,000 watts of solar panels, solar thermal panels and heat pumps using well water. The building is targeting to be LEED Platinum.

The facility will host the largest dedicated visitors' telescopes in the world, 30" and 40", specially designed to avoid ladders and offering extremely breathtaking views of the universe. The Visitors Centre will have exhibits, displays (with Wi-Fi activated audio), a 140-seat HD theatre, a boutique, restaurant, washroom, logistics, astronomers' quarters, and telescope control room with office space. The facility will have a camping area for the convenience of guests.

The circular shaped building will have a panoramic view of the Madawaska river valley 200m below. The facility will host two professional observatories including the WFT telescope. Guided tours of the Visitors Centre, visitors' observatories, energy independent building, professional observatories and geo-nature walks will be offered. All tours will be preceded with a 15 minute introduction in the HD theatre. The facility will be open year round and will be economically important to the region directly employing upwards 50 people.

The Company is offering sponsorships (naming rights) to all the key components including the professional telescopes and Visitors Centre. Sponsors' of the WFT will have their name on the discovered planets! The company is seeking investor's and business partners for the restaurant and boutique; 80,000 annual visitors are expected. The facility as planned will be a premier tourist destination in Ontario, only 3.5 hours from the GTA and Montréal. In terms of the visitors telescopes it will be the premier offering in the world.

Source: Madawaska Highlands Observatory Corp

Contact

E-mail: mho@madawaskahighlandsobservatory.com

Web Site: www.madawaskahighlandsobservatory.com