With council currently working on the town’s 2005 budget, the Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship committee is asking that the tournament once again be considered in the process.
In a letter to be received by council at its regular meeting tonight, FFCBC chair Doug Cain outlines a number of new initiatives the FFCBC wants to undertake in its 11th year.
These include supporting an application to the Rainy River Future Development Corp. for funding to undertake a comprehensive economic impact study.
“The primary purpose is to demonstrate to the community, our sponsors, and volunteers the value the festival and the tournament represents to the entire Rainy River District,” writes Cain, adding the study likely would be done by Enigma Research.
Other new initiatives could involve the town:
•directly sponsoring an event or activity beyond the financial ability of the FFCBC, such as the “Hawg Trough,” fireworks, or a rules meeting dinner (each of these could range between $5,000-$10,000);
•pursuing a permanent pegging system for the special events tent;
•making repairs to the parking lot on the south side of Front Street that would ensure proper drainage;
•taking a leadership role to explore purchasing community rentable assets, such as folding chairs and tables, fencing, portable bleachers, and small tents; and
•considering modifications of the existing launch ramp at the Sorting Gap Marina to accommodate double-wide launching.
Cain also notes the FFCBC wants to “develop a much closer working relationship with all those directly and indirectly involved in the operations of the marina,” and suggests ideas for the year ahead, including:
•undertaking permanent repairs to the launch ramp;
•moving the ATM from the arena lobby to the Sorting Gap Marina for the duration of the tourney;
•authorizing the temporary installation of flags at the Sorting Gap Marina during the tourney;
•allowing volunteers and sponsors to attach pennant, signs, and banners to street light poles and fencing during the tourney; and
•allowing the temporary installation of an angler message centre on or close to the Sporting Gap Marina building.
The FFCBC also is asking the town for operational assistance normally requested year after year, such as:
•arranging for the closure of Front Street for 11 days from July 14-25, 2005;
•setting up barricades and signage to reroute traffic;
•use of picnic tables;
•waiving garbage tipping fees; and
•donating town pins and flags to give to anglers and other out-of-town guests.
Tonight’s regular council meeting starts at 7:40 p.m. It will be preceded by the committee of the whole, which first meets in-camera from 5-6:45 p.m., goes public from 6:50-6:55 p.m., and then enters a public meeting regarding an application for a zoning bylaw amendment for the Church of the Holy Spirit’s new location (824 Victoria Ave.) at 7 p.m.
The committee of the whole then will convene again from 7:15-7:40 p.m., before switching over to council.
The council meeting portion of the evening is expected to end around 8:10 p.m.
Other business at tonight’s meeting will include:
•a presentation of 20-year exemplary service medals to current and retired firefighters;
•a request from Crime Stoppers of Northwestern Ontario and northern Minnesota to proclaim January, 2005 as “Crime Stoppers Month” in the Town of Fort Frances;
•a request from the Alzheimer Society of Kenora/Rainy River to proclaim January, 2005 as “Alzheimer Awareness Month” in the Town of Fort Frances;
•a bylaw to permit the property at 824 Victoria Ave. be used as a place of worship and eliminate the requirement to provide off-street parking;
•a bylaw to amend the current cemetery bylaw (the amendment includes an adjustment of hours for funerals, and change in policy regarding erection of monuments and markers);
•a bylaw to appoint BDO Dunwoody as auditor for the town for a one-year term commencing Jan. 1, 2005;
•a bylaw to enter into an agreement with the CIBC to borrow $2,141,200 over a nine-year amortization, with 3.03 percent interest in year one (this is to refinance the sum borrowed in 2003 for capital projects);
•a bylaw to authorize the execution of an agreement for funding of certain employment benefits and support measures with Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (this is to fund a Fort Frances Museum foundation developer);
•a bylaw to authorize the assignment of a lease agreement with Canadian Wilderness Outposts Ltd. at the Fort Frances Municipal Airport;
•a bylaw for the regulation of traffic on highways and regulating the use of highway by pedestrians or vehicles within the municipality;
•a request from the Ontario Family Fishing Weekend steering committee to proclaim July-10, 2005 as “Ontario Family Fishing Weekend” in the Town of Fort Frances;
•a request from the City of Pickering regarding financial support to secure the Victoria Cross medal of Cpl. Fred Topham; and
•a request from the City of North Bay for support of its resolution regarding the Community Reinvestment Fund.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
