Caron Cridland
Dear editor:
Why is it that the first thing people think of is tearing down or abandoning our historical buildings? I know that they are expensive to upgrade and restore, but aren’t they worth it?
Fort Frances purports to be the oldest settlement west of Thunder Bay. You would never know that based on the look of our downtown. I mean really, who picked out the purple paint?
We should be encouraging our businesses to restore the historic elements of their establishments rather than hide them.
If we want to attract tourists, then we need to think like tourists.
Let me ask: What do you want to see when you go on vacation? I, personally, would like to tour historic homes and buildings, and go to museums and art galleries and attractions.
Last year I went to Banff, Alta.—let me tell you they have it figured out. The history of that area is as thick as the humidity. Every shop was teeming with people more than willing to part with money. Some people may call that a tourist trap . . . but let me tell you it works . . . I spent money and isn’t that the point?
We want Fort Frances to be a destination? Then let’s give people something to see when they arrive.
A park in the middle of town is not the answer. The entire district is pretty much a park.
Tearing down the Rainy Lake Hotel would be a mistake in a long line of mistakes that our town seems to make. Let’s take the same approach as International Falls or Ranier, who have highlighted their historic buildings and managed to revitalize their downtown.
Don’t get me wrong. I’m all for “modernization” and “moving with the times,” but not at the expense of our heritage sites.
We don’t have much here in the Fort—not even a fort anymore—but we really need to start hanging on to what we have.
I know that I would be the first in line to contribute to a “Save the RL” fund.
It has long been my “lottery dream” to buy and restore the Grand Old Lady. And like the Banff Springs Hotel, have tours to attract the tourists—for a fee, of course.
Sincerely,
Caron Cridland
Fort Frances, Ont.
