5 February 2010

Tourism Proposal Facing Obstacles

The ex-Canadian Pacific Railway Mintlaw Steel Trestle is 2,112
feet long and 110 feet high. Construction began in 1910 and
was completed in 1912. The last train over it was in 1981.

Red Deer Alberta - The toughest task facing a group trying to develop rail and transportation-themed tourist attractions for the Red Deer area will be getting the proposal moving, predicted a local businessman who previously pitched canals to put the city on the map.
 
"They're very difficult," said Ken Mandrusiak of ambitious tourist concepts. "It's like starting a train. Once you get going, you can create some momentum."
 
A local group called Forth Junction Heritage Society has been quietly crafting a blueprint to make Red Deer a tourist destination by building a transportation museum, shops, children's theme park, and Canada's largest historical model railway museum in Riverlands, and other rail-themed attractions and accommodations in Red Deer County.
 
Vital to the success of any effort to create a draw is developing something that is unique with a "wow" factor. Mandrusiak said it has to be the kind of attraction that a visitor to Alberta would put on their must-visit list. "It would definitely have that kind of sizzle to it."
 
The success of any attempt to lure visitors will involve creating a place where people want to congregate, where there is a lot going on, and the focus is not just a single attraction. Boosters of the River Walk canal feature saw it as a catalyst that would inspire restaurateurs, merchants, and others.
 
Mandrusiak, who hasn't seen the heritage society's concepts, said if something unique is planned it could have merit, but it will not be easy.
 
"It gets a little tricky. There's always economics to everything and creating a buy-in.
 
"I think the idea of doing something on a grand scale is right."
 
City Councillor Larry Pimm said the society has come up with an interesting set of ideas, but it must be put to the public.
 
"If the public is really cool to it, it probably fades."
 
Finding the money for a large-scale project is always a "big hurdle," especially in tough economic times. When the money can't be found to support long-sought projects such as a 50-metre competitive swimming pool, it is clear budgets are tight, he said.
 
Pimm believes successfully developing Riverlands will also mean developing a downtown where more people have made their home and densities are increased.
 
County Councillor Dave Hoar said while the society has made administration aware of its proposal, council hasn't had a chance to talk about it yet.
 
"At this point in time, we have no position on it. It would be premature.
 
"On the other hand, we do own Mintlaw Bridge and the rail line between Red Deer and Sylvan Lake. It wouldn't be totally out of reason we might consider something."
 
The county recently purchased for $1 the 97-year-old Mintlaw Bridge over the Red Deer River near Springbrook from Canadian Pacific Railway Ltd.
 
Paul Cowley.