October 26, 2011
Visitors Centre to
remain open?
by Denise Walker
It looks like the Petawawa Forestry Visitors Centre will be open in
2012.
The centre provides tourist information on the local area and is run
under an agreement between Laurentian Hills, Deep River, Petawawa, and
Head, Clara & Maria (HCM).
Laurentian Hills council discussed a report on the 2011 season at the
centre last week.
Deputy Mayor Anne Giardini described the report as “excellent, it comes
up with some very good suggestions for the future.”
CAO Wayne Kirby pointed out the report was mainly done by Laurentian
Hills treasurer, Sherry Batten.
“Sherry and our public works do a great deal for the visitors centre,”
Kirby told council.
Mayor Dick Rabishaw said he believed that the centre would be able to
operate next year.
“HCM is the only one we have heard from saying they are pulling out.”
Rabishaw told council that the forestry had recently received a federal
grant of $5,000 towards repairing walkways, adding, “unless we hear
otherwise, we should be going ahead next year.”
Council had expressed concerns in September that other municipalities
would join HCM in pulling out of the agreement.
Currently, the town pays $2,000 of an annual budget of $20,000. In
addition, the town provides goods and services to the centre.
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