Community organizations have come up with a new festival aimed at creating more winter recreation opportunities for residents, attracting more visitors to the area, and driving more revenue opportunities for local businesses.
The event would involve unique and interactive light and sound installations in key areas of Huntsville as well as winter activities. It would be a collaborative effort between Huntsville Festival of the Arts, the Huntsville/Lake of Bays Chamber of Commerce, and the Downtown Huntsville Business Improvement Area (BIA), as well as the Huntsville Municipal Accommodation Tax Association and the Town of Huntsville.
The idea behind the event is to provide a host of winter activities spanning Huntsville’s downtown, River Mill Park, Muskoka Heritage Place, and Lion’s Lookout while also attracting more tourism dollars to the community, particularly as many accommodation providers and businesses have suffered due to COVID.
“Of all the things that we’ve had a chance to work on collaboratively, this excites me more than anything else,” Jesse Hamilton with the Huntsville Municipal Accommodation Tax Association, as well as general manager of Deerhurst Resort, told Huntsville Council at its November 23 meeting.
He said the intent is to launch the event this winter; the exact timing would depend on COVID-19 restrictions. In terms of the lighting installations, those can easily be pushed back to another date. Hamilton also noted that the idea is to turn the project into an annual event.
“[There’ll be] lots of opportunity for entertainment and really engaging people specifically,” added Huntsville/Lake of Bays Chamber of Commerce executive director Kelly Haywood, referring to potential activities such as wagon rides, dog sled races, ice sculptures, and snow forts.
Haywood also told council that news of a grant for $290,000 from the Reconnect Festival and Event Program through the Ministry of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries, had been received that morning. She said the development of outdoor trails at Muskoka Heritage Place for Nordic skiing and/or snowshoeing was also being considered. “I think we need to position ourselves as a winter destination,” said Haywood.
In terms of COVID-19, “nothing we’re going to do won’t be without this huge consideration of safety for our residents, safety for our visitors, and ensuring the timing is right,” said Haywood. “It’s going to be most important from a COVID recovery perspective for our business community to see something happen in Huntsville.”
Organizers were hoping for a contribution from the Town of $88,156, comprising a $41,500 cash donation and $46,656 in in-kind donations for things like rental deferrals, electrical infrastructure, and staff time.
“It looks fabulous. I love the idea of a brand new product to attract people to Huntsville but like everybody else, we’re worried about attracting crowds during the pandemic… that’s a fine line we have to walk,” said Huntsville Councillor Bob Stone.
“You basically had me at successful grant. That’s a lot of money that you guys got and I think that’s great. I have to say I’m excited about this. I don’t think it’s a big ask to the Town and it’s got longevity to it… I’m hopeful that this comes through and COVID doesn’t ruin it for all of us,” said Councillor Tim Withey.
“I echo what councillor Withey just said. I think it’s awesome that you got the grant, Kelly. That’s pretty cool and I think this is a fantastic project,” said Deputy Mayor Nancy Alcock. She asked whether the event would be free or whether there’d be a charge and people would have to sign up for the event. The organizers said initially the idea will be to keep the even free but in the future there may be a small stipend required from participants. They also said preregistration would likely be available as an opportunity to cater to walk-ins, depending on the number of people already in attendance.
Councillor Brian Thompson said he too loved the project and noted that the event is a shining example of how to use the proceeds from the Huntsville Municipal Accommodation Tax Association (HMATA). “I just wanted to congratulate you all on that. I think this is quite reassuring,” he said, referring to the HMATA’s $300,000 contribution to the project.
Councillor Dione Schumacher said she’s on board for “things that are going to bring people to Huntsville.” She did, however, caution about restrictions related to COVID-19, and noted that the lights could also be incorporated into other activities such as Canada Day celebrations. “We’re trying to balance the economy and keeping businesses viable and keeping people safe.”
Prompted by a question from Councillor Dan Armour, Haywood said staff would be hired for the event and the use of municipal staff would be minimal.
Council approved the entire request put forth. You can find staff’s report including the detailed budget proposed for the event here. You can also find the PowerPoint presentation submitted to council by the organizers of the event here.
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I think that the concept of a winter activity festival is a good one. Also the funding that was achieved is amazing, kudos to those involved with that.
I wish there would have a been a little more thought put into the idea of “this winter”. Clearly thats being pretty naive to think that this could happen for this winter. Inviting travel into our area during a pandemic and shut-down is a head scratcher for sure.
I sit on the committee for the Muskoka Maple Festival that is normally held at the end of April on Main St. We as a group have not had a single meeting as of yet and I suspect that the Maple Festival is at the very best a 50/50 proposition for occurring this spring.
We are many many months away from some normalcy….maybe even 6 months. Turning this pandemic thing around is like turning around a big crusie liner ship, it will not be done quickly.
A “Winter Festival is a great idea with good concepts, …just a tad early though. Hopefully in another year from now.
WOW…..what is wrong with our town council??? This is NOT a good idea at all!!!
This is just wrong! The quote “things that are going to bring people to Huntsville.” should be ““things that are going to bring covid to Huntsville.”
People – I think you all need to look at the bigger picture and the timing of the event. This is not going forward today while everyone is in the red zone and or in lockdown. This is currently planned for WELL AFTER the lockdown and when it’s SAFE to do so. Town council, nor the chamber, nor the BIA, nor the MAT Board, would do anything to contravene safety measures put in place.
We all need to think ahead to post lockdown when things start to open up again as it’s safe to do so. If we don’t plan and prepare now we won’t be ready when that time comes. I applaud these groups for planning something outdoors, that’s Covid friendly, that provides a huge benefit to locals and to local businesses and is COMPLETELY fluid, in that it can be altered, reduced, increased to meet the current pandemic situation. And this will be here for years to come.
Let’s all start thinking BIG and long term, and not being stuck in the covid moment.
Definitely a terrible idea. I’m disappointed
Ahh, I see. Sadly, as I read this, it appears to about “…more tourism dollars” and
to “…position ourselves as a winter destination.” We’re already a summer destination; and since Covid, we’re a spring and autumn destination. Presently, we have quite an inflated population. Although I don’t subscribe to the idea of ‘us’ and ‘them’ it does seem prudent to question if this is a wise decision during a pandemic and with a lockdown just around the corner. Our hospital does have a limit as to how many patients it can safely and effectively treat. Surely we must respect and consider our front line health care workers who are already overworked. Bottom line: we shouldn’t be encouraging people to travel. As Donna Rowan says, we can’t even have a family of 5 at a restaurant table. Yet, Huntsville will be promoted as a winter destination because we would generate “….more tourism dollars.” Not ok.
Come on guys. I couldn’t have my entire family of 5 people at our Christmas dinner at Chuck’s Roadhouse on Friday night because only 4 people are allowed at a table and a total of 10 customers in the entire restaurant are allowed.
Have you been shopping lately? They are not all locals shopping.
I know we are a tourist town and rely on these people coming into our town and spending money at our stores, restaurants and hotels/motels and B&B’s…but this is not the year!
This second strain of the virus is more dangerous than the first!
It will never calm down if people keep traveling and spreading it around.
All Well said this group needs to be ousted the next election.
What you are proposing in a legal terms would be “reckless endangerment causing harm and or death”
Is this legacy this group want to leave that is happy and willing to risk its residents.
Do not do this its plain stupid.
Absolutely not a good idea right now.
What is wrong with these people???? From Ontario’s Covid 19 management website (December 12, 2020)
“Travel within Ontario
Individuals and families in higher transmission areas should avoid travel to lower transmission areas (for example, from red to orange, from yellow to green), except for essential reasons.”
How do town council and the business community possibly justify (morally, ethically, medically) encouraging people to break the best medical advice; breaking fundamental pandemic management rules?
Do they cherry pick the rules and regulations that they in their wisdom feel are warranted? Why not tell people not to wear masks? Why chose to social distance?
What kind of leadership is this…..all for money for a few? Every religion in the world vilifies those who place money over the best interests, safety and lives of others.
Enough is enough. If this is the best you can do, resign today.