Tourist centre makes budget list

Posted Jan 26, 2012 By Derek Dunn

EMC News - Arnprior Council gave a lukewarm reception Monday to the idea of paying for a tourist information centre, but agreed to consider it during next week's budget deliberations.

A committee made up of members of the Greater Arnprior Chamber of Commerce (GACC), business improvement area (BIA), and Town of Arnprior want the town to contribute up to $25,000 to create the centre. The GACC will operate the centre, which will be located downtown, staffing it from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., six days a week, 50 weeks of the year.

The proposal stems from suggestions made by the First Impressions Community Exchange, which saw Kemptville visitors explore the town with an eye to improving it. According to a report written by planner Robin Smith, the visitors would like to make it easier for tourists to gather information.

"There were several areas identified as needing improvement to help advance the economic viability of the town," Smith wrote.

"One of those areas was the visibility of the Chamber and BIA and tourist information in general."

They noticed no one was available at the municipal centre during lunch hour, economic development didn't have an office or a place to meet and discuss investment opportunities, and the library was the only downtown spot with public washrooms, and others.

The town's community improvement and tourism advisory committee (CITAC) is proposing the idea, saying it will increase business opportunities, draw tourists downtown, build on partnerships in town and fulfill goals in various documents created by the town.

Several locations are available for lease, with the GACC offering office furniture, supplies and management. The CITAC is counting on volunteers providing tourist information to reduce staff costs.

The $50,000 first-year costs would also see 25 per cent ($12,500) from the GACC and 25 per cent from the BIA. Both groups have agreed to support a five-year commitment in funding.

"Basically, we need to make more of a downtown presence," Smith concluded.

COUNCILLORS WARY

Coun. Dan Lynch supports council discussing the $25,000 being included in the town's 2012 budget, but said locating the tourist information centre in one of the gateways to town - either near PJ's Restaurant or at the No Frills strip mall would be better.

Reeve Walter Stack said he fails to understand how a downtown location will lure people into the core. He said the "booth" should be closer to the highway. Tourists would need signs telling them it is downtown, it was noted.

"You need to get them off the highway," Stack said. "I don't know how a downtown location will get them to come in."

Coun. Lynn Grinstead, CITAC chairwoman, defended the plan by saying the BIA won't contribute funds unless it is located downtown. And that it couldn't be in the library because it isn't open Sundays. She agreed signage will be needed.

Stack added signage is expensive and other costs will need to be factored in.

"I'm not sold on the downtown location yet," he said.

Coun. Ted Strike went further, saying the downtown isn't the proper place, and that it is "self-serving for a particular area." He added that business owners will have to pay through the business groups and as private homeowners.

Coun. Mark Willmer agreed that discussing it during budget deliberations is a good thing, but that "getting them off the highway is one thing."

Any plan will require signs from Daniel and Madawaska streets directing tourists to John Street.

Strike suggested money could be saved by bringing back a trailer in storage and setting it up in a parking lot near the new overpass.

"That option should be explored," he said. "There are too many things that aren't getting well (discussed)."

Mayor David Reid said the town is hiring an economic development officer at about $50,000, a community improvement plan at $35,000, a downtown revitalization plan will be put in place, and millions of dollars will be spent on signage.

"We have some serious challenges," Reid said. "There are other priorities that may be important. But I will consider this."

BUDGET MEETING

Council starts budget talks Jan. 30, focusing on the operating budget. Jan. 31 will see more operating budget presentations from various departments, Feb. 1 is set for capital budget presentations, Feb. 7 is for operating budget deliberations, Feb. 8 is operating and capital budget deliberations, with Feb. 21 proposed for a special council meeting to approve the 2012 budget.

derek.dunn@metroland.com