Duane Hicks
The shuttered tourism information centre at the border crossing here hopefully will be open soon as the town works to finalize an agreement with the province to lease the building.
Three summer students—Caitlin Hogan, David Loney, and Kaitlyn Chiasson—have been hired to work at the centre to provide tourists with information, as well as assist with local events this summer.
These include Canada Day, the international “Peace Pull” tug-of war (July 2), the inaugural “Harmony of Nations” Music Festival (July 17-19), and Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship (July 24-26).
The students—two of whom are funded through the Rainy River Future Development Corp. and one through Sunset Country—have been staked out under a tent to hand out copies of “Discover” magazine since the U.S. fishing opener (May 10).
But it’s anticipated they’ll soon be able to go inside the building.
RRFDC consultant Tannis Drysdale said the final details of the lease arrangement are being sorted out right now, noting the town has to adjust its insurance in slight ways to the province’s liking.
“And then we’ll be in,” she remarked.
“Hopefully soon, soon, soon.”
Drysdale said there’s already a phone line and Internet service installed at the building, along with computers and other equipment.
The town already is tending to the upkeep of the property, such as mowing the grass.
Once the town officially has tenancy, a new sign will be put up there—replacing the former Ontario Tourism Information Centre one.
The town’s Economic Development Advisory Committee also has requested that council look into the installation of directional signage near the exit of the Canada Customs facility to show tourists the way to the centre.
In related news, several prospective local projects are in limbo due to the provincial election.
One is the funding application for the conversion of the old Rainy Lake Hotel property into a market square.
The other is a funding application to do major tile drainage and land-clearing projects for area producers which, if successful, will bring much-needed investment into the district.
