Tourism Diversification Infrastructure Enhancement Study

At the February 19^th Regular Council meeting, the Municipality approved an Affordable Housing Strategy, which is a separate and critical initiative aimed at addressing the housing needs in our community. We recognize that housing is a significant priority, and we are committed to tackling this issue through a dedicated strategy that outlines concrete steps to increase affordable housing options.

However, the Municipality is also addressing other pressing priorities, such as recreational infrastructure, which is vital for community well-being and long-term growth. Sioux Lookout faces many challenges and opportunities, and balancing these priorities requires concurrent solutions. Improving recreational amenities, such as a new recreation centre with a potential pool, will help address the resident satisfaction gaps in our community. It’s important to note that keeping and attracting residents in key roles—such as healthcare workers and educators—is crucial to the health and development of our community. Having adequate recreational facilities plays a large part in making Sioux Lookout an attractive place to live and work.

The Municipality is aware of the long-term financial commitments required to maintain new facilities, including a pool. As recommended in the Sports Tourism Infrastructure Enhancement Study, a detailed cost-benefit analysis and financial sustainability plan will be developed during the next stages of the project. This will ensure that any new facility, including a pool, is not only feasible in terms of construction but also sustainable in the long term.

The Municipality will carefully evaluate ongoing maintenance costs, including staffing, utilities, and other operational expenses, to ensure that they are manageable within our existing budget before any commitments are made. Additionally, we will explore potential funding options, including provincial and federal grants, partnerships, and revenue-generating opportunities, such as user fees and hosting events.

Ensuring the facility's financial sustainability is a top priority, and we will proceed cautiously, making sure that the community’s investment in recreational infrastructure is both beneficial and sustainable for years to come.

The Sports Tourism Infrastructure Enhancement Study provides a strategic framework and outlines the broad vision for improving recreational infrastructure in Sioux Lookout, including the potential for a community pool. However, the feasibility study is designed to identify key needs, assess opportunities, and provide direction rather than finalize specific financial details such as ongoing maintenance costs.

The financial aspects, including the exact cost of operation and maintenance of a pool, will be explored in subsequent stages of the project. As part of the implementation process, the Municipality will conduct further business case development, which will include a detailed cost-benefit analysis and financial sustainability plan. This will involve evaluating ongoing expenses, exploring funding options, and assessing potential revenue streams to ensure the pool is financially viable in the long term.

The Municipality recognizes that resource-based tourism—which includes activities like fishing, hunting, and outdoor adventures—has been an important part of our economy and we continue to support this sector. However, we believe that sports tourism offers a unique opportunity to diversify and expand the region’s tourism base, bringing in new visitors and increasing local revenue.

In addition to attracting visitors from outside the region, sports tourism also presents an opportunity to engage surrounding communities that we already serve. Sioux Lookout provides vital health and education services to almost 400 visitors per day from these communities, and many of these residents already travel to Sioux Lookout regularly. By developing a sports tourism strategy, we can capture this existing flow of visitors for sports-related events and activities, bringing in additional revenue and creating a more sustainable economic impact—while improving facilities for our residents.

By investing in sports tourism infrastructure, we are targeting a growing market that can complement existing resource-based tourism. Sports tourism can attract athletes, teams, and spectators for tournaments and events, helping to support businesses in the hospitality, retail, and service sectors. It also provides opportunities for year-round tourism, which is crucial for sustaining the local economy during the off-season for traditional resource-based activities.

The cost of the $200,000 study reflects the comprehensive and detailed approach taken to ensure that the Municipality's long-term goals for sports tourism infrastructure are well-researched and feasible. This wasn’t just an analysis of current needs—it involved a thorough examination of various aspects that would shape future decisions.

The study included:

• Tourism research to understand current trends and opportunities in the sports tourism sector.
• A review of past related studies and existing recreational assets to assess what is already in place and where there are gaps.
• Extensive community engagement, including focus groups, interviews, a survey, and an open house, to gather input from residents and stakeholders.
• A pool feasibility study to assess the viability of adding a pool to the proposed recreation centre.
• Three detailed reports providing strategic recommendations for the next steps in the project.

In light of the need to explore innovative cost-sharing models that would not rely exclusively on local taxation, a significant portion of the study was focused on identifying potential regional partnerships, funding opportunities, and alternative financing strategies. The goal was to ensure that the facility could be financially sustainable in the long term, with a shared responsibility for both capital costs and ongoing maintenance. This focus on collaboration and creative funding solutions led to an expanded study to explore all viable options.

Of the total $200,000 cost of the study the Municipality contributed $10,000, or 5% of the total cost. The remaining funds were secured through FedNor and partnership with Destination Northern Ontario, making this a highly cost-effective approach for the Municipality to gain the insights needed for this important project.