Optimism for P.E.I. shipyard, but no promises

It will take a year and a half to two years for Irving to figure out whether its East Isle Shipyard in Georgetown will get any of the work from its new, $25-billion shipbuilding contract.

The federal government announced Irving as the winner of the 30-year contract to build 21 combat ships on Wednesday.

"Hopefully there'll be enough work in this project to keep lots of people busy," said Irving Shipbuilding CEO Jim Irving.

Irving said he was optimistic about the possibilities of reopening East Isle, but could not make any promises. The shipyard has been shut down since last spring, when it completed the final tug of its last contract.

Georgetown Mayor Lewis Lavandier said at one time there were about 100 employees at the yard, including carpenters, electricians, pipe fitters, and 15 management positions. He said it makes a big difference in his town, with its 600 or so inhabitants, when the shipyard is closed.

"A lot of our young men had to go out and find employment elsewhere," said Lavandier.

"This is tough. You have to leave your family and move to other provinces. It takes away from our economy. It has an adverse affect all the way around."

Irving it will take a year and a half to 2 years to get a better idea of how the contract will be divided among its shipyards...and whether East Isle will get fired up once again.

Overall, the contract is expected to create more than 10,000 jobs.