THUNDER BAY – Next year will mark 50 years since the cities of Port Arthur and Fort William united to become Thunder Bay. The city is developing plans for celebrations and a legacy project to commemorate the anniversary.
City council pre-committed $50,000 to the initiative from next year’s budget at Monday’s council meeting. Administration requested the commitment to ensure celebrations planned for early in the year can be confirmed, ahead of council’s budget ratification in February. Events will kick off on New Year's Day with a levee at the O'Kelly VC Armoury and a skating party at Fort William Gardens.
A report from the city manager’s office recommends spending around $450,000 on the milestone. That includes $75,000 for events, $45,000 to add a “50th flair” to annual events, $20,000 in grants for community groups to celebrate the anniversary, and around $300,000 for a legacy project.
The proposed project involves redeveloping the four quadrants at May Street and the floodway at the former boundaries of the two cities. Plans include depaving, tree planting, public art, signage, and pedestrian links to recreational trails.
