Chamber to propose ‘centennial tokens’

The Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce will propose the use of special tokens to commemorate next year’s centennial celebrations here in a presentation at Monday night’s town council meeting.
“They’re a $3 high-quality coin that we’re having made to celebrate the Fort Frances centennial,” said Tannis Drysdale, president of the Northwestern Ontario Associated Chambers of Commerce and past president of the local Chamber.
“The Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce feels this is an excellent initiative and will provide us with a role in with the centennial celebration.
“We believe that the ‘100 years of prosperity and promise’ were made possible by the local business district,” she added.
With the help of a consultant, the Chamber scouted out similar ventures done by municipalities such as Kenora—which produced coins as a business promotion there last year—and decided to go ahead with it.
While the Chamber is asking the town for its permission, Drysdale said there already have been indicators it should get the green light.
“They should be out this summer. We want to get them out there,” she said. “It’s not only to market the special occasion, but to market Fort Frances.”
The coins will feature the town’s coat-of-arms and the slogan, “A Century of Prosperity and Promise” on one side. The Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship logo will be on the other side.
“The bass tournament agreed to be a partner in the distribution of the coin. And we think it’s important to showcase the fishery we have here in Rainy Lake,” remarked Drysdale.
The town’s centennial will be officially marked April 11, 2003.
Also on the agenda for Monday night’s meeting, which gets underway at 6:35 p.m. at the Civic Centre, are:
•a quarterly activity report from Geoff Gillon, economic development office with the Rainy River Future Development Corp.;
•a request to return the “Big Chair” to Pither’s Point Park;
•a request for a load of black earth for use in the beautification of the Calder plaque at Pither’s Point Park;
•a bylaw to establish a Committee of Adjustment;
•a challenge to play the annual slo-pitch game against International Falls city council on July 1;
•a notice from the Fort Frances Museum pursuant to its Firearms Licence Application;
•the capital purchase of a tractor for the airport, as well as use of crushed asphalt at the airport and beautification at the airport;
•an assessment of downtown area sidewalks;
•a final scoping report on Phase I the Fort Frances Sport Fishing Centre;
•a tender for asphalt pitching;
•a report on the council chamber’s sound system;
•the 2003 budget timetable; and
•the 2002 sanitary sewer television inspection and cleaning program.