The Gulf News has learned four tourist attractions on the southwest coast have been denied Job Creation Fund dollars to operate this season. At least two will remain closed for the season.

The Rose Blanche Lighthouse, Burnt Islands Hook and Line Interpretation Centre, Misery Point Fish Livyer’s Station and the Cape Ray Lighthouse were all shut out of funding. Both lighthouses have confirmed they will stay closed.

Rose Blanche Lighthouse manager Madonna Lawrence said as of today, the gate to the lighthouse is locked. Tourists hoping to access the lighthouse will have to walk from the road – a distance of roughly two kilometers.

The Rose Blanche lighthouse attracts 6,000 visitors annually and is one of the main attractions that drive the tourist industry on the southwest coast.

Ann Osmond, chair of the Cape Ray Lighthouse Committee, said volunteers can only do so much, and she thinks the provincial government is sabotaging the industry on this corner of the island.

“The thing is, we are the gateway to Newfoundland,” she said. “Right now what they’re doing is shutting down our tourism industry.”