(Image from Northern Bruce Peninsula website.)
Northern Bruce Peninsula council has approved a recommendation to install an information kiosk at the Tobermory Lighthouse.
A council report notes this recommendation comes after the downtown kiosk has been in operation for three weeks in the northwestern corner of the harbour, and has produced excellent results. On June 19, when both the kiosk and the Chamber of Commerce office were both open, the kiosk saw over 400 visitors, where as the chamber only had 70.
Northern Bruce Peninsula Community Services Manager Ryan Deska says with councils approval, they will need to reach an agreement with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) to move ahead.
“The Department of Fisheries and Oceans owns harbour infrastructure, so all the harbour walls and technically as the federal government they own the waterways, the municipality leases the use of the facility from DFO for the operation of a functional harbour,” says Deska.
Deska notes the kiosk is aimed to be up and running this season and operate as a way of reaching out to tourists who come to the area, providing information on local sights, the Chi-Cheemaun Ferry and others.
“The location was probably the biggest point of conversation. The originally proposed kiosk location did have concerns from local business owners about obstruction of the view, encroachment onto private lands and the associated liabilities of that, so we took those comments sincerely and I think we have come up with a plan for the location that will avoid those,” says Deska.
Deska adds the chamber conducted consultations with local business owners and their members in the downtown area.
In the report, Jacquie Crowley from the chamber identifies having a permanent structure would allow for higher traffic in the area, is capable of staying open in all weather conditions, and the lighthouse is a landmark where businesses can defer people with questions.
According to Deska, the proposed location is part of a parking lot that was closed off last year in part due to high water and in part to provide an area for picnics and enjoying take out from local restaurants.
“We also have public washrooms that are going in down there, we have broken ground on that project, so we are installing some sewer hookups for some public washrooms down at the end of the parking lot,” says Deska.
Costing $12,000, the new kiosk would be eligible for Spruce the Bruce funding to recieve 50 per cent in cost sharing, with the chamber able to cover the remaining through their reserves.
The kiosk is also designed to be portable, able to be moved with a crane or forklift, allowing it to be stored off-site during the off-season or for other needs.
