THUNDER BAY — The federal and Ontario governments will contribute almost $3.7 million for improvements to the outdoor festival area at Prince Arthur's Landing.
Renovations include the relocation of the stage and viewing area, and upgrades to the electrical and backstage infrastructure for event and concert-hosting.
The work will take a few years to complete.
According to a joint announcement on Tuesday, the project will improve the spectator and performer experience while increasing safety for performers, staff and spectators.
The federal contribution of $2 million and provincial funding of almost $1.7 million is through the Investing in Canada infrastructure plan.
The City of Thunder Bay will contribute about $1.3 million.
Mayor Bill Mauro said the project will help make the festival area an even more attractive celebration space for the community.
"Thanks to the funding from Infrastructure Canada we are able to enhance our waterfront concert experience and look forward to our post-pandemic concerns once again filling the waterfront with people and live entertainment," Mauro said.
More details about the project were provided to TBNewswatch after the announcement
Cory Halvorsen, the city's manager of parks and open spaces, said the stage at Prince Arthur's Landing will essentially swap places with the playground.
"So the playground moves over by the Tai Chi pad area, and the stage moves very close to the existing washroom building, and then there's some parking created in behind that provides essentially more functional access to that stage for when events are going on," Halvorsen said.
He explained that "all the operational stuff that goes on behind the stage can be set up and accessed from behind."
This and other work associated with the project will span "multiple years," Halvorsen said.
The design stage will take place in 2022, with subsequent work to be done in such a way as to minimize the impact on park users in any given year until completion in 2025-2026.
Phase two of the waterfront master plan also includes parking lot, road and trail improvements.
Five other projects in Northwestern Ontario will receive infrastructure money as well, including Cooperative du regroupement des organismes francophones de Thunder Bay.
It's getting over $500,000 to renovate the Centre Francophone, and will contribute $187,000 of its own money.
Other projects approved by the two governments for infrastructure funding include:
- $1.3 million for the rehabilitation of the Red Rock Recreation Centre
- about $342,000 for improvements at the Nipigon swimming pool and community centre
- $735,000 for the construction of a four-season multi-use outdoor recreation facility in Sioux Narrows-Nestor Falls
- $68,000 for an expansion and upgrades at the Schreiber Fitness Centre
NOTE: This story has been updated to include additional details provided by the City of Thunder Bay following the announcement
