Pending the outcome of city council meetings this spring, construction of a major tourism project in Sault Ste. Marie may get under way as early as this year.
The city is looking at developing a Discovery Canada theme on the Sault's Gateway site, which would also feature retail, restaurant and hotel components, as well as tourist attractions.
MagiCorp, a Toronto-based entertainment development company, is interested in developing a project for the Gateway site and investing up to 20 per cent of the equity in the tourist attraction. The development company is conducting a feasibility study on the Gateway plan.
The Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corp. has made a $15-million grant available for the tourist attraction aspect of the project.
City council will hear the report by MagiCorp Entertainment Inc., in mid-April, and if the project is deemed viable, city officials hope to begin construction by this fall for a spring 2003 opening
