P.E.I. shipyard still waiting for work

People in eastern P.E.I. remain hopeful about the future of Irving's East Isle Shipyard in Georgetown, but have still not heard if it's getting a piece of a $25 billion contract.

The East Isle Shipyard was bustling in its heyday, employing 115 people. Both of Barb Carroll's sons had jobs there.

"It's kind of sad because they really enjoyed it," said Carroll.

"Right close to work, just right off your step and you're at work. So it was very nice for them."

The shipyard ran out of work and shut down two years ago. Workers have had to find other jobs, many of them moving out west. The impact of that has spread through the community.

"A lot of workers from the shipyard, obviously, lived in the community, and because they're here year round, spent some of their income in the community," said Joel Snow, owner of the Georgetown Inn.

"Had to try and be a little bit more creative about attracting people to come here in the off season, and sometimes that can be challenging."

Some hope for East Isle came in October, when Irving won a $25 billion contract to build warships for the Canadian government. The bulk of the work is expected to go to Halifax, but Irving said work would be shared across the region.

Months later there are still no specifics. Georgetown Mayor Lewis Lavandier remains hopeful.

"We have some concerns about the employees and the guys that had to move out of province to get other employment," said Lavandier.

"As far as the shipyard starting up again, we're certainly still optimistic that this will happen."