BY JANELLE LABELLE
During Monday evening’s Committee of the Whole meeting in Smiths Falls, the council received a delegation from the Chamber of Commerce. Leslie Richardson represented the Chamber in requesting an increase in fees for running Visitor Services at Victoria Park. In 2023, they entered into an agreement with the town to run Visitor Services for the price of $12,000.
Now, with that experience under their belt, Richardson said it has become clear that $12,000 is not enough. In order for the Chamber to continue offering this service, “We are asking for $45,000 for staffing, plus $5,000 for operational expenses,” she said. Due to safety concerns, the Chamber found that Visitor Services requires two staff members on hand during operational hours. Operational expenses include items such as toilet paper, lightbulbs, soap, and services like landscaping, Richardson explained.
“We would like to see an updated agreement for funding through the operational budget,” she stated, “Tourism is vital to our economy, and vital to our small business owners.”
Councilor Chris McGuire suggested there could be an opportunity for integration or collaboration between the Victoria Park Visitor Services with the town hall Visitor’s Centre.
Councilor Peter McKenna, who chaired the meeting, suggested that the town’s department of Economic Development should sit down with the Chamber to come up with a strategy that would work for the 2024 fiscal year.
Council supported this idea.
So why do we need 2 visitor centres ? May have been great when the campers came in but now it just seems silly. I’m sure the one at town hall is more than enough for visitors. How about use the area around the building for the taco truck instead of wasting the area that the children could be running around and playing in ? That just might save the town some well needed dollars.