People looking for a sign to explore Timmins are in luck.
Bilingual wayfinding signs for tourism destinations were unveiled today and will be going up early this spring.
The burgundy signs will point the way to attractions such as Hollinger Park, Participark, Bannerman Park, the Archie Dillon Sportsplex, McIntyre Arena, Gillies Lake, downtown parking areas, public washrooms, playgrounds and more.
Funding for the $60,000 Timmins Economic Development Corporation project is from a number of partners, including the Venture Centre, Timmins Museum: National Exhibition Centre, Downtown Timmins BIA, City of Timmins, Tourism Northern Ontario, FedNor, and Ontario Tourism Marketing Partnership.
“From a City of Timmins tourism perspective, this is long overdue,” said Guy Lamarche, Tourism Timmins manager.
Lamarche was happy when signs were identified as a priority in the Timmins 2020 Branding Strategy, and noted work that has already happened with signs to welcome people to the city and for service clubs.
“I think being visitor-centric is very important to any tourism body. It’s one thing to get them here, it’s quite another to look after their needs after they’ve made the decision to visit,” he said.
Timmins Mayor Steve Black said the signs will make it easier and more enjoyable for people to get around the community.
“When you look around the community, there’s a lot of great assets and great parts of the community that were not necessarily directed towards previously,” Black said.
The work to make the city more tourist-friendly isn’t over.
“Going forward the intent is to look at a much bigger picture and to invite private sector to also participate, there will be a fee to that participation, but I think it’s equally important as you move forward that you’re properly signing hotels and private sector attractions,” said Lamarche.
He said it’s too early to talk about a destination marketing fee.
“We know that there could be some value from a destination marketing tax because it has been legislated now by the province as of Dec. 1, whether or not mayor and council have an appetite for that going forward is to be seen. It will be a debate, I suspect, at some point and we’ll see what direction we get from council,” Lamarche said.
According to the TEDC, the signs featured at the launch are prototypes and the signs going up in the community will have the correct spelling of landmarks and proper French translations.
