This week, the Tourism Advisory Committee (TAC) met to set a course for the next four years. Committee volunteer members include: Nella Dekker (council representative), Dan Pelletier, Robert Merrill, Tony Vandermaas, Joe Prytula, Randy Barnes, Sebastian Soccio-Marandola, Rene Inman, and Tim Sinnett. Rounding out the committee are Thorold’s Tourism Agent Susan Morin and city hall communications officer Nicole Gioseffi. Mayor Terry Ugulini, as past chair of the committee, also attended the meeting to provide historical background.
One of the initiatives of the new council is to provide training for all city committees, in sessions that are happening today at the Thorold Seniors Centre.
Morin called the move “brilliant.”
“It’s a great way to make sure we’re all rowing in the same direction,” she told the members attending their inaugural meeting.
TAC consists of new and returning members so the initial meeting was held to inform newcomers about the initiatives already underway and to ask for ideas on moving forward.
The first order of business was electing a new chair and, for the first first time, a vice-chair. Vandermaas and Prytula, respectively, were elected to those positions.
The city has identified three components of tourism that it considers key: heritage, the Canal and cycling.
Morin noted that other initiatives are also on the table beyond those three enterprises.
She filled the group in on past initiatives and accomplishments.
Morin noted the beginning of historical walking tours and said, "We really need to work on that. It's an item of interest for us all."
The big news last year was Thorold’s selection as winner of the coveted Prince of Wales Prize for Municipal Heritage Leadership. Morin informed the group that Heritage Thorold is working with Niagara College students to develop the heritage component of tourism.
Also among past project completions, she cited the clean-up that has taken place at the Lock 7 area around the Tourist Information Centre and Museum offices. She pointed to the start-up of Niagara Segway Tours, which escorted tourists along the Welland Canal last season, as an example of public-private partnerships that should be encouraged.
In addition, the Lions Club is moving ahead with plans to install bicycle repair stations at three points along the Welland Canals Parkway in Thorold.
Morin said that one of her prime goals this year will be to pursue better signage in Thorold, directing tourists to popular sites within the city. She noted that Port Robinson, in particular, needs better signage to direct visitors to the cycling parkway and Bridge-it the Ferry that connects East and West Port Robinson.
Gioseffi pointed out that, in conjunction with the BIA, plans are underway to place flags in the downtown core promoting the Prince of Wales award. Every second light standard will display the flags alternating with the traditional flower baskets. The flags will reflect the design and colour of the Prince of Wales Award itself, which is on display at the Tourist Centre at Lock 7.
Thorold has also begun looking at redesigning the Battle of Beaverdams Park. The city has expressed a desire to utilize the park beyond current functions, which include the annual Blues on the Battlefield festival--held in conjunction with Canada Day celebrations, and weekly summer concerts from the Thorold Reed Band. Furthermore, the downtown streetscape is scheduled for redesign in 2021.
Morin suggested the group should provide input on these initiatives during the planning stages.
Some of the volunteer committees are still seeking members and that information can be found in this Thorold News article.