Change certainly was the theme for 2015 here in our corner of the world. For one, the ground-breaking ceremony in May for New Gold’s Rainy River Project north of Barwick signalled a switch to mining as the new economic driver in the district—not the forest industry.
The project is pumping plenty of money into the area while creating much-needed jobs, with everything still on track to begin producing gold by mid-2017.
The pulp and paper mill in Fort Frances, meanwhile, still sits idle despite continued efforts (and many rumours) to get it back up and running.
The most obvious change, of course, involves the look of Scott Street following the demolition of the Rainy Lake Hotel, which stood as a venerable landmark here for so many years.
But its long overdue removal also speaks metaphorically of the need for Fort Frances to shed a decaying past in order to grasp a promising future.
There also was change on the political landscape this year as Liberal candidate Don Rusnak unseated NDP incumbent John Rafferty as the MP for Thunder Bay-Rainy River in the Oct. 19 federal election—putting our riding back on the government benches.
What benefits that may bring remains to be seen.
What never changes, though, is the staunch resiliency of district residents and their unwavering generosity.
New businesses have started up while others were revamped by current or new owners. And the most uplifting story of the year clearly was the $60,000 raised through the “Families for Families” initiative to bring a refugee family here.
As well, Fort Frances this past year hosted the Dudley Hewitt Cup, the Snowbirds, and Ontario Lt.-Gov. Elizabeth Dowdeswell—and even had a visit by the Stanley Cup.
Town improvements included a new animal shelter, a salt/sand storage shed, recycling upgrades, and a moose display at the tourist information centre. The Fort Frances Sports Hall of Fame also was created.
All signs of a vibrant community.
Change may be inevitable but so, too, is our ability to embrace it while never losing sight of our small-town values.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
