The Ark bioshelter, a self-sustaining family sized unit, powered by the wind, heated by the sun, and housing a research laboratory, living unit, family garden, commercial greenhouse, and fish farm was opened in September of 1976 at Spry Point, Prince Edward Island. Built by the Cape Cod based New Alchemy Institute with a grant from the Ministry of State for Urban Affairs, the Ark was to be a practical experiment in producing food and energy using renewable resources. In 1978 the Ark came under the management of the Institute of Man and Resources, a company also involved in research in energy conservation and renewable resources. When this association ended in 1980, the experiment faltered and, following a decade of being used for various purposes, the structure was purchased privately and turned into a motel and restaurant.