The Northern Frontier Visitors Association is debating whether to dissolve after determining it will have no home from which to offer visitor services as of Sept. 30.
NNSL file photo
In a July 28 letter, association members were told they would soon be contacted for a vote on whether the association should dissolve in October or continue SA国际影视传媒渁s an unfunded advocacy group.SA国际影视传媒�
Visitor information is currently being offered from a desk at the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre since the now-shuttered visitors centre at Frame Lake closed May 15 due to structural issues.
SA国际影视传媒淣o other venue after September has been offered, nor is apparently being discussed by the GNWT or the City of Yellowknife,SA国际影视传媒� states the letter, which directs members to contact association vice-president Ian Henderson with questions. SA国际影视传媒淢embers may display brochures at the Arctic AmbassadorsSA国际影视传媒� table at the airport but aside from that, we know of no space available from which to operate as a visitor information services centre beyond the end of September.SA国际影视传媒�
Henderson said if government came through with financial support or a space from which the visitors centre could operate, things could change.
SA国际影视传媒淏ut as it stands right now, thatSA国际影视传媒檚 not happening,SA国际影视传媒� he told Yellowknifer.
According to the associationSA国际影视传媒檚 2016 financial statements, $86,723 of the associationSA国际影视传媒檚 revenue came from the city last year, while the GNWT contributed $161,000. The majority of revenue SA国际影视传媒� $1.03 million SA国际影视传媒� came from merchandise sales, something a handful of local businesses have taken issue with.
The city pitched in another $17,000 after the visitors centre closed in May, after which point Industry, Tourism and Investment Minister Wally Schumann announced visitor services could temporarily occupy a desk at the museum. But no permanent solution had been found for the visitors centre.
The July 28 membership update adds SA国际影视传媒渢he city is not prepared to extend our current visitor services contract beyond its expiry date of Dec. 31, 2017.SA国际影视传媒�
Kelly Kaylo, assistant deputy minister of economic development, said Schumann received a letter from the association on July 27 requesting a contribution agreement for providing visitor services be terminated starting Oct. 1.
Kaylo said the GNWT provided the visitors association support over the years, but its funding model was not sustainable.
SA国际影视传媒淭he idea with simply continuing with funding or moving to buildings SA国际影视传媒� I donSA国际影视传媒檛 think was the immediate need,SA国际影视传媒� Kaylo said. SA国际影视传媒淭he immediate need is to review what is the model that we can all collectively support to ensure good visitor information services on a sustainable basis.SA国际影视传媒�
She said the GNWT is supporting the city in taking the lead on looking at what those options might be.
Yellowknife North MLA Cory Vanthuyne said he thinks SA国际影视传媒渢he will is thereSA国际影视传媒� on the part of government.
SA国际影视传媒淚 think both the territorial government and the City of Yellowknife, as well as NWT Tourism, will not let visitor information fall through the cracks,SA国际影视传媒� he said, pointing to the citySA国际影视传媒檚 Destination Marketing Strategy and push for a hotel levy as examples of the work being done.
But Frame Lake MLA Kevin OSA国际影视传媒橰eilly is baffled by the governmentSA国际影视传媒檚 response, saying issues around the visitors centre should have been dealt with months ago.
SA国际影视传媒淚 just donSA国际影视传媒檛 get it,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淭ourism is the one part of our economy that continues to grow and our government has literally done nothing to support tourism development in Yellowknife.SA国际影视传媒�
As for Tracy Therrien, executive director of the visitors centre and one of three remaining staff who she said will be laid off by October, sheSA国际影视传媒檚 just trying to move on.
SA国际影视传媒淭hereSA国际影视传媒檚 peopleSA国际影视传媒檚 livelihoods at stake here,SA国际影视传媒� she said. SA国际影视传媒淲e have to make measures to move forward. WeSA国际影视传媒檝e simply got no choice.SA国际影视传媒�
The events that have unfolded have disappointed her, she said, especially given how passionate the staff have been about the centre.
SA国际影视传媒淭hatSA国际影视传媒檚 not something that happens every day,SA国际影视传媒� said Therrien, adding she put a lot of energy into the building.
Sheila Bassi-Kellett, the citySA国际影视传媒檚 senior administrative officer, said the association has provided great service over the years.
SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 an awful situation for a volunteer board to have to come to,SA国际影视传媒� she said. SA国际影视传媒淏ut we know at the end of the day, tourism services need to continue on.SA国际影视传媒�
She said the focus needs to shift to ensuring visitor services are available in the short-term for the upcoming aurora season, as well as determining the best long-term model.
