Duane Hicks
A Fort Frances Power Corp. crew has been busy this week taking down winter decorations from lamp posts along Scott Street to make way for new banners purchased by the Downtown BIA.
Downtown BIA chair Connie Cuthbertson said yesterday that the new banners, which the BIA commissioned local artist Lindsay Hamilton to create, should be installed by the end of the month.
The banners have been cut from metal, and have a finish applied to them to give them colour and texture.
“I am quite excited,” enthused Cuthbertson.
The images depicted on the banners range from cattails and mosquitoes to blackbirds, blue jays, and even a black bear up a tree.
“It’s like the flora and fauna of our region, depicting where it is we are from, and wave that flag, so to speak,” Cuthbertson remarked.
“We are proud of where we’re from,” she added. “We have so much here that we can offer outside people that we don’t even realize how lucky we are to be living where we are.
“By creating a unique look to our downtown area, I think that will create interest for those that are driving through to perhaps pull over and say, ‘Hey, this looks like a pretty neat place,’ stroll around, have some lunch, and do some shopping,” reasoned Cuthbertson.
“Who knows? Those that are travelling through might end up living here one day.
“That’s important, too, if we’re going to grow this town,” she stressed. “We have to put on a good face for everybody coming through.”
Cuthbertson said the BIA also is working on other projects, such as decorative planters that can be left out year-round for shrubs and other plants to beautify the downtown area.
She added the BIA tried to get this going last year, but the supplier was not able to deliver the planters until August—a little too late for planting–so those plans had to be cancelled.
Meanwhile, the BIA continues to look at a possible use for the vacant Rainy Lake Hotel property.
The Rainy River Future Development Corp., working on behalf of the town, held a meeting for stakeholders Feb. 29.
The BIA wants to develop a market square on the property once the building is demolished and removed.
“We have had many people come up to various board members and say they are anxious to see the project go forward,” said Cuthbertson.
“Hopefully, the market square will become that space, and I think it will be a great thing for downtown,” she added. “It’ll be a place for picnicking, for outdoor music events, the farmers’ market idea.
“We had ‘Market Thursdays’ last year, and we’re looking at hopefully even expanding that to perhaps have some kiosks.
“This is all down the road,” Cuthbertson conceded. “First you’ve got to get the horse before you get the cart, but it’s coming along nicely.
“We’ve had positive feedback so far,” she added, noting all stakeholders, including the town, are working together.
“We’re all still are very keen on making that property used to the best possible capacity. We’ll see how it goes.”
Cuthbertson said the BIA is trying to be realistic about the initiative.
“It’s not going to happen tomorrow,” she stressed. “It’s not going to happen this year, in fact, but you have to start somewhere.
“With the groups that we have, there’s good vision, good feedback, and lots of knowledge around the table.
“We want to hear all the information we can and make the best possible decision for the space,” added Cuthbertson.
“So far, so good.”
