A $6.6 million investment will be going towards six infrastructure projects in Northwestern Ontario.
$5 million of that will be for improvements for the Prince Arthur’s Landing Festival Area in Thunder Bay.
The funding comes through the Community, Culture, and Recreation Stream of the Investing in Canada plan.
“The hope of the work is the renovation of the outdoor festival area,” explains Mayor Bill Mauro. “Bigger component pieces are the reorientation of the stage, there will be some other health and safety improvements, some backstage infrastructure like electrical work on the lights.”
While the price tag of $5 million is significant, Mauro maintains that between 1.3 and 1.4 million dollars will have come from municipal taxpayers. Ottawa is on the hook for the remainder of the bill.
“The Waterfront Park has become a real focus for the community, and this specific project will enhance infrastructure that really does serve as a focus for much of the activity that occurs at the waterfront on a given year,” noted Mauro.
It is estimated that around 100,000 people attend festivals at the site yearly.
The investment will also see funds headed to Thunder Bay’s Centre Francophone.
