BY SCOTT HUNTER HADDOW
If they build it, tourists will come. This is the premise the Town of St. Charles is using to promote its Landmark Decision Contest. The town’s economic development committee is putting on the contest and is hoping by constructing a landmark, like the Big Nickel or the Wawa Goose, it will bring people into the town.
“We thought it would suit us because we are well off the main highway and it would be something we could use to bring tourism into the community,” says Andre Ouellette, town councillor and secretary of the economic development committee.
The contest is open to anyone with an idea that will best reflect the region of St. Charles, its people, history and environment.
The idea must also be feasible to construct, unique and most likely to draw attention and tourists to the town. The winner will receive a $500 prize.
The winner will have to relinquish the rights to the idea, but will have their name promoted by the town. The committee will do the judging of entries.
Entries must be in by Feb. 17 before 4 p. m.
By constructing the landmark, the committee hopes to build a tourism industry around it.
“In the long run, we would work on building complementary attractions that would work with the landmark.”
Lodges, camping, fishing and outdoor activities are the main tourist attractions in St. Charles. This is just one component the town is working on to improve the economy of St. Charles.
“We have posted for a part-time economic development officer and developed a strategic plan to identify specific industries we want to attract,” says Ouellette. “We are also working on developing the waterfront around the St. Charles area.”
St. Charles is located about 50 kilometres east of Greater Sudbury.
