NIPIGON, Ont. — Even though it won't have its official opening until later this summer, the new lookout at Nipigon is already drawing attention to the community.
The observation tower portion of the $670,000 project was completed this spring.
It provides an impressive panoramic view, taking in the river leading into Nipigon Bay, the top half of the new Nipigon River Bridge and Lake Helen.
Town officials are considering removing some trees to provide a better view of Ontario's first cable-stayed highway bridge.
The 12-metre lookout tower, located on Railway Street, is safe for residents and visitors to use, even though work continues on other elements, such as a concrete walkway, paving of the parking lot, and landscaping.
Signage directing motorists to the attraction from the Trans-Canada Highway also remains to be installed.
The lookout project is part of Nipigon's $2.8 million waterfront development program which includes lagoon boardwalks and water/sewer services to the lakefront, as well as a new events park.
The federal and Ontario governments have contributed almost $2 million toward the cost.
According to Tourism Northern Ontario, nearly 200,000 tourist vehicles travel through Nipigon's highway corridor in an average season.
Only a small portion of those vehicles, however, are stopping in the community for one or more nights.
Nipigon is counting on the new initiative to bring more visitors into town, once they get out of their cars and get a chance to appreciate why it may be worth spending time there.
Economic Development Officer Suzanne Kukko says it was a good sign when a town official spotted four vehicles with American license plates as he passed by the lookout's parking lot last weekend.
Kukko said Tuesday that she's "hoping for the end of July" with respect to the completion of the lookout project and its grand opening.
