There is a jewel in the Halifax Harbour that’s all ready for visitors, but still not accessible to them.

Every once in a while, Parks Canada opens up Georges Island, but they are so strapped for cash that there will be no visitors to the island this year.

For two centuries, Georges Island was a key defense component to keep potential invaders out of the city of Halifax. Today, it’s a national historic site that Parks Canada spent millions of dollars restoring for visitors.

Many would love for the island to be made visitor friendly to the public.

“Known it. Seen it lots. Never been there but good to get there one day,” says resident Mark Smith.

“I heard about this island, and the history of it is very interesting… It’d be nice to visit,” says onlooker Monica Smith.

In an email, Parks Canada says they just don’t have the funds to allow the public to visit on a regular basis.

“Parks Canada has completed research that demonstrates that we do not have the financial resources to provide access to the island on an ongoing basis,” says a statement made from Parks Canada.

If the recent past is any indication, there is considerable interest in the number of people who want to visit Georges Island. It was only one weekend last year when Murphy’s on the Halifax boardwalk supplied transportation to and from the island for tours, and they were sold out.

“They love it. It’s so great. You get to explore in your own backyard,” says Murphy’s Cable Wharf marketing director Sarah Godin.

Two thousand people visited the island in one day alone.

“People who come here are always asking about it, and wonder what it is. I think it would be great to open it up,” says Godin.

Darlene Grant-Fiander with Tourism Association of Nova Scotia says they think it’s a great idea, and believe bringing in private partners might solve Parks Canada’s financial problems. Murphy’s is on side for that as well.

“It would be great if it was open this year,” says Grant-Fiander. “They did a lot of work over the last number of years and there’s a great deal of interest in the island.”

“We would love to be involved,” says Godin. “Whenever they open Georges Island, if it all works out, we would love to work with Parks Canada and offer a ferry service over there.”

Parks Canada promises to work with partners to provide access to the island, however, they say there is nothing planned for this summer.