FedNor dropped more than $1.7 million on 10 outdoor tourism initiatives in Northern Ontario.
On Feb. 6, Thunder Bay-Superior North MP Patty Hajdu, the minister responsible for FedNor, announced the funding. It's geared to provide more offerings and services to the region’s tourism industry with snowmobile and multi-use trail development, hiring a tourism professional, mapping out a strategic tourism plan, and upgrading various facilities and infrastructure.
The projects receiving cash are:
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Camp Dore, a Georgian Bay fishing camp on the Key River, netted $250,000 to support electrical, gas and water upgrades, as well as restroom, cabin and dock expansions to make the camp a four-season destination.
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Township of Sioux Narrows-Nestor Falls landed $249,750 to support development of a seven-kilometre trail system for cyclists with a skills park, signage, a parking area and bike racks.
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Laurentian Ski Hill Snowboarding Club in North Bay received $220,960 to add signage and infrastructure to make the hill a year-round venue for adventure competitions, obstacle races, running, mountain biking, and hiking.
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Municipality of Sioux Lookout pockets $180,000 for its Tourism Diversification and Infrastructure Enhancement Study that includes identifying local and regional partners and addressing local capacity needs.
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Sunset Trail Riders Snowmobile Club in the Kenora area received $175,000 to buy trail grooming equipment, install signage, and tend to three warming shelters on its trail network.
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Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs collected $167,798 to maintain and improve a trail bridge on the Top A trail near Dryden.
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Discovery Routes Trails Organization was given $130,500 to market North Bay Escarpment Trails.
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Northeastern Ontario Tourism accepted $123,500 to support the expansion of snowmobile tours with the implementation of the Gold Rush tour, a 600-kilometre loop and the smaller Lumberjack Loop between Hearst and Temiskaming Shores.
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Atikokan Economic Development Corporation secured $122,556 to hire a tourism development coordinator/economic development officer for a three-year period.
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Parry Sound Cruise Line obtained $100,000 for new dock and electrical systems and for lodging at Sandy Island, a site from where the excursion line will be able to launch tours and guided visits to the islands of Georgian Bay.