Following a recommendation from the Administration and Finance executive committee, town council agreed Monday night to pitch in $8,215 as a partner in a proposed “Gateway to Canada” project the Rainy River Future Development Corp. hopes to get off the ground this summer.
Coun. Tannis Drysdale said she was thrilled to see council go through with the partnership, which she added already has drawn support from other district communities and ultimately will be a success as a group effort.
The goal of the project is to create an “attraction that will stimulate the interest of more Americans to visit Northern Ontario,” according to a report from economic development officer Geoff Gillon of the RRFDC, which is spearheading the “Gateway” project.
Phase One—the part of the project council agreed to financially support Monday night—includes the development of a “Welcome to Canada” signage system and electronic information display on the international bridge here.
As a partner, the town will be entitled to appoint a seat on the “Gateway” steering committee that will determine the graphic images that will be used, as well as access to the “reader board” that will highlight events and attractions in the community.
“This display provides the opportunity for the various communities, attraction, and institutions in Northern Ontario to display their distinctive attributes and to promote the entire region,” Gillon noted in a letter to council.
“We believe that this is a matter that should be of considerable interest to everyone in Northern Ontario,” he added.
“In fact, the idea is really based on a premise there is such a thing as a ‘Canadian experience,’ and that we all share a role in contributing to that experience.”
The RRFDC has been visiting communities and institutions, and attending district association meetings, over the past couple of months to promote the concept.
Coun. Drysdale noted she was aware of other communities which, if only in principle, have agreed to—or expressed serious interest in—the project at this time.
Coun. Drysdale noted Phase One hopefully will be completed this summer, but that may depend on how soon the RRFDC hears a response from the federal government regarding funding.
The project will be funded by participating communities along with the provincial and federal governments.
Once Phase One is completed, Gillon said the next step will be to develop a plan for a Canada Discovery Centre and a new Ontario Tourist Information Centre here.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
