Tourists and residents of North Bay will soon be able to enjoy improved waterfront attractions and attend events at a new park plaza in the downtown area.

With Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC) support in the amount of $2 million, the City of North Bay is further developing its waterfront into a multi-faceted tourism venue and focal point for the community. The project involves the installation of municipal services and the construction of a civic plaza that will be used for community events and will feature benches and park decorations. In addition, the city is building walkways and a mini-train rail bed as well as constructing a carousel foundation.

These attractions are scheduled to be open to the public in March 2012 and are expected to create about 80 construction jobs.

This initiative is part of the government’s five-year Open Ontario plan to create jobs and economic opportunities in Northern Ontario.

“I am delighted that the province is continuing to invest in improvements to North Bay’s waterfront,” said Monique Smith, MPP for Nipissing. “Building on the over $6 million the province has invested in our waterfront, this $2 million investment will create a beautiful space for the residents of North Bay and help our community attract tourists and visitors, and boost the local economy.”

“We are very pleased to support this waterfront project. It will bring visitors to the downtown area and promote significant community and economic growth throughout the Nipissing region,” said Michael Gravelle, Minister of Northern Development, Mines and Forestry, and Chair of the NOHFC.

“The City of North Bay is very pleased to see the Province join us in our $6.6 million final phase of the waterfront development,” stated North Bay Mayor Victor Fedeli. “We’ve gone to tender and expect to see work starting immediately. The City sees the waterfront development as an integral part of our social and economic development and continues to focus time, energy, and funds towards its completion.”

QUICK FACTS

§ Ontario is providing $2 million to this initiative through the NOHFC’s Infrastructure and Community Development Program.

§ In 2007, the NOHFC invested $3,250,000 in the construction of two underpasses linking North Bay’s waterfront and downtown areas.

LEARN MORE

Find out about the NOHFC’s programs

Read about North Bay’s waterfront