A $319,423 investment from the Ontario government, through the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC) will help the City of Thunder Bay enhance the Terry Fox Monument and Visitor Centre.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford visited the city on Tuesday and announced the funding, along with additional funding for the Port of Thunder Bay, the Peninsula Harbour Port Authority in Marathon and the Port Arthur Health Centre. He said the funding is part of the government’s plan to protect Ontario by building a more competitive, resilient and self-reliant economy.
Ford told The Chronicle-Journal that the Terry Fox centre investment will help preserve an iconic landmark, improve visitor experience and support local businesses and tourism in Northwestern Ontario.
“Terry Fox is a Canadian hero whose Marathon of Hope impacted the lives of millions of people in Canada and around the world,” Ford said. “Our government is proud to honour his memory by supporting the upgrade of the Terry Fox Monument and Visitor Centre, so his legacy can continue to inspire those living with cancer and give hope to his dream of finding a cure.”
The monument is a national tribute to Terry Fox, who, after being diagnosed with bone cancer in his leg in 1977, ran across Canada to raise money for cancer research. During the 1980 Marathon of Hope, Fox ran an average of 42 kilometres a day for 143 days. Due to health issues, he ended his run in Thunder Bay in September of 1980.
George Pirie, minister of northern economic development and growth, accompanied Ford on the Thunder Bay visit and said the investment will help protect an important piece of Canadian history and reinforce the legacy of Terry Fox as a symbol of national inspiration.
“These improvements will extend the lifespan of the visitor centre and grounds, enhancing accessibility, safety and improving the overall visitor experience,” he said. “Expanding and improving year-round tourism experiences will strengthen the city’s ability to serve as a gateway to the region, encouraging people to stay and experience the area longer and visit local accommodations, attractions, restaurants and shopping.”
Kevin Holland, MPP for Thunder Bay-Atikokan, added that by revitalizing the visitor centre, monument, and surrounding grounds, it improves accessibility, enhances the visitor experience and supports tourism in Thunder Bay and across Northwestern Ontario.
“Terry Fox brought hope to Canadians at a time when it was deeply needed, and I’m proud our government is helping restore this site, so his story continues to inspire people for generations to come,” Holland said.
More than 100,000 visitors from across Canada and around the world visit the monument annually with more than 50,000 entering the visitor centre itself. The Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation funding will be used to rehabilitate the visitor centre roof, upgrade walkways, trails and landscaping and purchase new equipment such as water filling stations, outdoor picnic tables and benches. New technologies such as screens, tablets and stands for interactive displays will be installed. Restoration work to revitalize the 30-year-old Terry Fox monument will also be done.
