COBDEN — The Township of Whitewater Region received $30,000 from the federal government to make improvements to the Cobden Tourist Booth, located in the municipal park on Hwy. 17.
Last week, Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke MP Cheryl Gallant was at the tourist booth to make the official announcement.
Whitewater Region Mayor Hal Johnson noted this tourist booth has seen people from around the world stop in, including Ottawa, Toronto, England, Scotland, Ireland and Japan.
“The people see our municipality first from here quite often because of 17 highway,” he said. “A lot of people who go through come back because of this tourist centre. They come back year after year after year.”
It’s time upgrades were done so the tourist booth can be used by all people, Mayor Johnson said.
And, the upgrades are possible because of financial help from the federal government.
“We received a gracious grant to do the upgrades from our MP and so I would really like to thank Cheryl Gallant for that and her hard work in getting this grant.
“It’s key to our community.”
Chief building official Doug Schultz noted there is a total of $60,000 to spend, half of that coming from the federal government.
Improvements include a handicapped accessible front door and making the counter accessible as well, he said. There will be a deck built along the side of the building and around the back, he added. There will also be handicapped accessible washrooms and a shower.
“This is also a campground,” Mr. Schultz said. “People come and camp. There will now be a shower facility for them also.”
MP Gallant said, “That’s an awful lot to do with $60,000.”
Mr. Schultz said, “We’ll just have to watch our money.”
MP Gallant noted the federal money won’t be available until April 1, 2016 and the work has to be completed by that year’s end.
“The project has to be ready by the end of 2016 in readiness for the 150th birthday,” she said.
Mr. Schultz noted the tender process can get underway so everything will be ready to go by the first week in April or when the tourist operators feel will be the best time to do the work.
“We’ll have everything ready to go for April anyways,” he said.
Township Chief Administrative Officer Christine FitzSimons said the plans have been purchased, it’s just a matter of finding the right contractor of the job.
“We’re aiming to have it finished for the grand opening on Victoria Day weekend,” she said.
Tourist booth operator Art Cobb, who was on hand for the financial grant announcement, has no fear of finding a contractor for the renovations.
“We have some very good builders in the area,” he said.
CAO FitzSimons added, “If they’re all ready to go, all we need is the red flag to drop.”
