London area projects share in federal funding for tourism

A number of London region tourism destinations are on the receiving end of federal funding – CTV’s Bryan Bicknell reports.

A number of London region tourism destinations are on the receiving end of federal funding.

The London Children’s Museum and the Grand Theatre have each received funding as part of a $2.3 million tourism package for 23 projects across southern Ontario.

The funding comes from the Federal Economic Development Agency for Ontario, or FedDev Ontario.

The Children’s Museum has received $200,000 to develop eight brand new permanent exhibits said Museum executive director, Kate Ledgley.

“We’re expecting a significant increase in visitors from near and far. We’re projecting about 150-thousand visitors per year, and about half of those from outside of the city of London,” said Ledgley.

The Grand Theatre has received $130,000 to help stage the production of the musical ‘The Waitress.’

“It’s a wonderful opportunity to produce a large-scale musical,” said Grand Theatre executive director Lindee Hansen. “And as we come back from COVID, you know everything’s been tight. So, to have some more support to help us to re-grow our wings to where we were in a pre-pandemic time is incredibly helpful,” she said.

“I think now more than ever we need to come together as different sectors, especially the sectors that are going to be impacted the most, such as creative sectors like the Grand, and many others, and work together,” said London West Liberal MP Arielle Kayabaga, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Small Business.

Funding for other area projects includes $80,000 for the Port Stanley Festival Theatre to expand theatre shows in the off-season, along with $30,000 for the Bluewater International Granfondo to develop Sarnia-Lambton as an international cycling destination by enhancing bike-friendly infrastructure.

The funding announcement was made at London Children’s Museum Monday by Ruby Sahota, the minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario.

The funding comes at a time when tourism in Ontario is about to take a dramatic shift given the state of Canada-U.S. relations.

“We want to make sure that [the] American government understands that as well, and that they’re hearing from their local and state governors as to how bad the impact could be, because we are their number one tourists into the U.S.,” explained Sahota.

London North Centre Liberal MP, Peter Fragiskatos, says the way Canadians are showing their pride will have an impact on domestic tourism.

“What we are seeing in this unique moment of Canadian pride is an embrace of Canada. Canadians talking about, instead of going to the U.S., instead of even going abroad, they want to stay in Canada,” he explained.

Here is the complete list of projects and funding:

• Black Artists' Networks in Dialogue - $135,000
• Bluewater International Granfondo - $30,000
• Calabogie Motorsports Park - $150,000
• Canadian National Exhibition - $75,000
• Canoeing the Grand - $50,000
• CGLCC - Canada’s LGBT+ Chamber of Commerce - $25,000
• The County of Haliburton - $25,000
• Diversity Cornwall - $40,000
• Grand Theatre - $130,000
• Hot Docs - $150,000
• Kayanase - $200,000
• LodgePole Arts Alliance - $57,350
• London Children’s Museum - $200,000
• Niagara Geopark - $80,000
• The Original Santa Claus Parade - $150,000
• Ottawa Valley Air Paddle - $50,000
• Peterborough Musicfest - $22,000
• Port Stanley Festival Theatre - $80,000
• Secret City - $150,000
• Thousand Islands Playhouse - $59,150
• The Toronto Sketch Comedy Festival - $80,000
• The Township of Wellesley - $180,000
• Vivace Estate Winery - $150,000

Source: FedDev Ontario