Great Turnout for Ribbon Cutting on the Terrace Bay Downtown Project

Written by Sean Irwin on 20 July 2011

Downtown Revitalization Ribbon Cutting. Photo Sean Irwin

TERRACE BAY, ON – The Township of Terrace Bay held its ribbon cutting on Wednesday July 20, 2011 to celebrate the success of the $3 million Terrace Bay downtown revitalization project with its partners. Chief Administrative Officer Carmelo Notarbartolo started off the event and lead into the singing of O’Canada by local singer Judy Anderson.

CAO Notabartolo then recognized the project partners and others that made the initiative possible. The project had the following funding breakdown – $1.5 million from NOHFC, $500,000 from FedNor, $400,000 from the Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Affairs, $300,000 from the Community Adjustment Fund, $60,000 from corporate donations including TD Friends of the Environment, CIBC, Inmet Mining, and others as well as $5,000 from Superior North CFDC and $1,000 from the Aguasabon Chamber of Commerce. The Township covered the remaining portion of the project costs. CAO Notarbartolo also made special mention of the excellent working relationship between Terrace Bay and the Thunder Bay Ministry of Transportation Office and the support of the those unable to make the event including the Honourable Kathleen Wynne – Minister of Transportation , the Honourable Carol Mitchell – Minister of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Affairs, and the Honourable Tony Clement – Federal Minister of Industry. Mayor Michael King was next in line for speeches and recognized the hard work of those involved as well as the impact the project has had on the community already with business owners seeing an increase in sales. He also remarked about the incredible spinoffs local business owners have mentioned to him and the increased interest in available properties and businesses in the downtown, which was a goal of the project.

The Honourable Michael Gravelle, Minister of Northern Development, Mines, and Forestry took the stage after a warm introduction from Mayor Michael King and applause from the crowd. Minister Gravelle noted the resolve of Council and the community to press on with their diversification efforts when the economy for Terrace Bay was extremely difficult.

Katherine Turner, Manager for the Thunder Bay FedNor office, spoke and read a letter on behalf of Minister of Industry Tony Clement congratulating the Township on the project. Other speakers included: CIBC Small Business Account Manager Stephanie Fillion, Superior North CFDC Board Chair Michael Beno, and Downtown Committee Chair Horst Prager.

The ribbon cutting for the plaza was led by Minister Michael Gravelle and Mayor Michael King, with a later ribbon cutting on the Terrace Bay Lighthouse. The large crowd was invited to a free slice of cake and cupcakes on behalf of the Township and the contractor. The architectural firm for the project was Form Architecture from Thunder Bay and the general contracting company was LTL Contracting Ltd.