Discovery Centre posted on March 29, 2010 12:08
MEDIA RELEASE – SEPTEMBER 21, 2007
Maritime Discovery Centre
Mayor David Henderson today provided an update on the City of Brockville’s review process on the Maritime Discovery Centre.
Since the report’s release, a public open house was held on September 13, 2007 in the City Hall Council Chambers. This forum was a constructive public session providing an informal dialogue on several aspects of the development, including the capital and operational funding commitments to achieve the future economic impacts as identified in the feasibility report.
Public engagements with the Downtown Board of Management, the Chamber of Commerce and local service organizations have been scheduled to ensure open communications on the development and refining the next steps for implementation should the project secure Council endorsement.
The City of Brockville and the representatives of the Tall Ships Landing Developments Inc. have been working diligently to finalize a Partnership Agreement relating to the Maritime Discovery Centre.
Given that the terms of the subject agreement have not been finalized, Council’s consideration of the Maritime Discovery Centre’s report has been rescheduled to the October 9th Council meeting. This additional time frame will enable a further review of the impacts, benefits and risk assessment associated with the potential implementation of the Maritime Discovery Centre complex and impacts on other waterfront developments.
The Maritime Discovery Centre vision is as an interactive medium, utilizing the historic, environmental, cultural and economic importance of the St. Lawrence River, to create a world class, regionally significant tourism attraction and experiential education centre.
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The establishment of the attraction will generate $7.098 million of gross domestic product, creating 72 jobs and providing $3.3 million in taxation during the capital start up phase. Once operational, the estimated 37,000 annual visits will generate $1.8 million of gross domestic product creating 42 full time positions and annual taxation of $891,000. The report is a culmination of 12 months of intense analysis and meetings with representatives of various stakeholder and tourism organizations in Eastern Ontario.
For further information contact:
Bob Casselman, City Manager
City of Brockville
613-342-8772 Ext. 440
email: bcasselman@brockville.com