Central Almaguin Economic Development Association

P.O. Box 1120 * Sundridge ON * P0A 1Z0

Phone (705) 384-5819 Fax (705) 384- 5892

Chair: Merlyn Snow: Merlyn.snow@sympatico.ca Vice Chair: Ron Bennison: rbennison@vianet.ca

November 16, 2011

Village of South River Municipal Office

Present: Sundridge - Elgin Schneider, Bill de Vries (left at 11:30am)

Strong – Merlyn Snow, John Newstead

South River – Les Mahon, Jim Coleman

Machar – Doug Maeck, Ron Bennison

Guests: Wade Murrant, Parks Superintendent, Mikisew

Ken Lacroix, Acting Central Zone Manager

Garry Radey – for Friends of Mikisew

Brenda Detta – for Friends of Mikisew

Tara Hamilton – Ministry of Northern Development, Mines

Staff Present: Caitlin Unger, Recording Secretary

The meeting was called to order at 9:33 am by Chair Merlyn Snow, and the guests were welcomed.

General Discussion:

Garry Radey circulated a Friends of Mikisew Summary of meetings to date, and discussed. He also made it clear that lobbying is not the mandate of Friends, but would rather like to tie everyone together as per their mission statement.

Wade Murrant and Ken Lacroix took the floor to discuss the future of the park and address the following concerns and questions:

• 2011 was a good season in terms of weather but visitation was not as high as in the past therefore the park was 4% short of reaching revenue targets.
• Removal of picnic shelter: the shelter was too costly to repair and had to be removed due to floor damage and other safety issues. Funding was not approved for this fiscal year but will be continually applied for, as is not considered a priority project.
• The Gatehouse was closed due to mold but was quickly remediated and became operational again prior to demolition. Funding is on track to start re-building in September 2013. Rebuilding is the number one priority currently in the zone.
• Concern that Mikisew is considered more of a satellite operation and does not receive the same funding as the base operation, which the public can witness. Murrant shared that Mikisew is not considered a satellite, but a sister operation, and funding has been stable to date.
• Concern over computer systems for booking, are there options other than internet? Murrant shared that internet booking is the most popular method and their server had just changed. The committee had heard that the site would show a full booking but those who arrived saw free sites and tried to book in person were denied. Murrant shared that the policy will not allow that type of booking, only phone and internet. Campers can re-book in person if they are extending their stay. Also, the website shows that the camp sites are fully booked but the numbers are down? Murrant explained that there can be glitches in the system and they are aware of the problems.
• Public may be discouraged from staying at Mikisew because their entrance and sites are too small to accommodate larger RV’s. Murrant shared that site rehabilitation is conducted but the sites were originally designed in the past when trailers were smaller.
• In terms of funding, is there a priority list? Lacroix shared that Mikisew and Restoule are separate entities but they have to look at historical numbers so Restoule received 60% and Mikisew gets 40%. This includes union mandated salary increases, student wages, and office expenses. ODOE restricted these parks to 0% of $400,000. Restoule receives more because they are larger, bring more campers in, have more staff and are open for a longer season. Extending Mikisew’s hours cannot occur if funding is not there: Murrant put in a business case to extend hours and it was not accepted since revenue was not there to support it. Restoule receives between 65-67,00 visitors a season, Mikisew gets 39-42,000.
• Parks are typically segregated into “A, B, C” categories in terms of revenue and visitation, where does Mikisew fall? Lacroix is not involved in this listing but Mikisew generates revenue for them so will not be cut in the first round if parks must be closed. Many of the parks are twinned as Mikisew and Restoule are, sharing a Park Superintendent.
• Friends may facilitate the ability to expand capacity by improving the visitor experience to bring in more revenue (trails, visitor services program, activities). A joint community event hosted by CAEDA could benefit the park, also promoting in schools for running and other events. Friends could also assist in this capacity. Murrant shared there is no budget for marketing and promotion so any community support would be appreciated.
• Are there objections to solicit a third party for funding? No – NOHFC has Infrastructure and Community Development funds up to $1 million for certain projects, but a case must be made for economic development, job creation and revenue generation.
• Since revenue targets were not met, are there plans to change that? Murrant stated that the target was just missed and they have plans to offer roofed accommodation. There was mention of linking with tourism industry since the new minister is from the North. Lacroix mentioned partnering with RTO-12 and will look into highlighting Mikisew in the spring on their Ontario Parks blog.
• Highway 11 Signage to promote Mikisew: there will be 2 TODs signs, one at the South River entrance and one at Mountainview Rd. Sundridge and Strong felt the second sign should be placed at the Hwy 124 exit at Sundridge to encourage campers to drive along the whole Hwy 124.
• Additional electrical sites: Murrant has applied for funding but they are in a long line of competition with those who bring in more revenue.
• Murrant shared that Mikisew has done exceptionally well with Capital Development in the last 10 years compared to other parks (new water pipes, new electrical sites with underground wiring and 2 comfort stations), $2 million has been spent to date and more with the gatehouse.
• Lacroix shared that a demographic survey had been conducted at Mikisew this season but the results have not yet been calculated. This Thanksgiving was the busiest to date due to the weather, Restoule had 85-90 sites occupied.
• Ontario Parks has introduced a “Learn to Camp” program for new immigrants to Canada, which was a success. Murrant tried to bring the program to his two parks but they do not meet location requirements. These groups are used to travelling in larger groups, and request sites for more than the maximum regulated number of 6. Mikisew will be creating larger family sites in unused areas to accommodate larger camping parties, which will be available to everyone.
• The committee recommended meeting with Murrant and Lacroix in the spring to follow up.

Tara Hamilton shared that she would like to facilitate a Community Economic Development training program in order for the committee to prepare for 2 interns, and share information with them. The group was in favour and schedule the session for Thursday December 1, 2011 at 11:30am. The secretary was asked to contact Sundridge for room availability, to invite those looking to start a business association, and use CAEDA funds to purchase lunch. Garry Radey and Brenda Detta will also attend.

The committee thanked Murrant and Lacroix and they left the meeting at 10:40am.

Radey shared that he wishes to move ahead more quickly with the Friends project since they have completed the required public meetings. His next steps are to contact a lawyer for non-profit status and create a board. Radey will draft a newspaper ad to recruit for board members, asking for a letter of intent, and to screen to fill about 5 positions. CAEDA agreed to provide one member to be on the board. The committee suggested that Radey include Friends on the Sunflower Festival Triathlon donation list. Radey and Detta left the meeting at 11:05am. Mikisew signage was further discussed, and the committee felt that a message board advertising community events should be placed at the park entrance.

The Chair discussed the meeting some members had with Jim Beatty, Chair of REDAC, on November 9^th. The committee was provided with handouts regarding REDAC’s economic plan and sub-committee reports. The Chair suggested inviting Mr. Beatty and Kirsten LeDrew, Area Economic Development Coordinator, to a meeting in the new year to answer questions and to further discuss working together in the future.

The committee asked the secretary to invite the MTO to the next regular meeting to discuss paved shoulders on Hwy 124, they are too small to accommodate biking as was promised. The MTO could also address concerns with emergency turn-arounds on Hwy 11.

The committee discussed community message board signs and were in agreement that a cost recovery plan needs to be established for businesses to be included. Third party billboard options were also discussed, if the new Northern Ontario signage policy is approved. There has been some confusion with who qualifies to be included on TOD’s sign. The committee would like a representative from TODs to attend the upcoming meeting to clarify.

Resolution 2011-30

Moved by: John Newstead Seconded by: Bill de Vries

Be it resolved that this committee does hereby accept the following expenses of $991.13 for the EDCO Conference in Sudbury and $113.17 for the REDAC Meeting at McKellar Township Office and hereby authorize the Secretary to issue cheques for the same.

Carried

Correspondence:

An email was received from Betty Barnes, Joly Township, indicating that Joly will not become a member of CAEDA. Resolution is to follow.

The secretary received a call from Kara Mitchell, Women’s Own Resource Centre, on behalf of the Almaguin Highlands Economic Development (AHED) Committee. She wanted to inform CAEDA that their meetings are now occurring the third Thursday of the month and would like any CAEDA members interested to attend. Jim Coleman shared he attends and Bill de Vries asked that his email be submitted to the mailing list.

Adoption of Minutes:

Resolution 2011-31

The minutes of the October 19, 2011 meeting were circulated. It was

Moved by: Doug Maeck Seconded by: John Newstead

Be it resolved that this committee does hereby accept the minutes of October 19, 2011 as presented.

Carried

New Business:

Coleman informed the group that there will be an Airport Meeting held Tuesday November 29^th at the South River Machar Arena, upstairs, and anyone can attend. The meeting will address the amount being spent as percentages are not realistic, new options should be discussed. A new agreement should be drafted since the previous one is dated. Coleman shared that a third party option is not off the table completely and that South River is willing to discuss anything at the meeting. The current Airport Plan does not address anything that the committee was concerned about. Joly has concerns about administering due to the current lease agreements. The Airport committee will be closing the Airport for the winter, which is a positive step to reduce costs.

Adjournment:

Resolution 2011-32

Moved by: Jim Coleman Seconded by: Elgin Schneider

That we now adjourn at 11:45 a.m. until the next regular meeting December 21, 2011 or at the call of the chair @ @ 9:30am at Village of Sundridge. Carried.

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Chair, Merlyn Snow Recording Secretary, Caitlin Unger