March 20, 2015
Manitoba Government Supports Study to Benefit the Future of Churchill
– – –Study to Explore Feasibility of Using Town Centre as Conference Facility: MInisters Kostyshyn, Lemieux
The Manitoba government and the Town of Churchill will fund a feasibility study to look at new ways to use the Town Centre in Churchill, which is owned by the province, Tourism, Culture, Heritage, Sport and Consumer Protection Minister Ron Lemieux and Infrastructure and Transportation Minister Ron Kostyshyn announced today.
Manitoba Tourism, Culture, Heritage, Sport and Consumer Protectionand Manitoba Infrastructure and Transportation will each provide $15,000 toward the study, along with $5,000 from the Town of Churchill, for a total of $35,000. The needs study will explore the feasibility of using the Town Centre as a conference facility that can host up to 150 people.
“While Churchill has become a premier eco-tourism destination and is internationally recognized for polar bear and beluga whale viewing, the community is wise to seek ways to diversify its economy,” said Minister Kostyshyn. “As well, the existing building is pivotal to community life and adding new services to its roster may benefit area residents.”
“We hope to improve Churchill’s economic sustainability by capturing business opportunities to build on its already successful tourism seasons,” said Minister Lemieux. “Churchill potentially offers a highly unique experience for meetings and conventions, which could be attractive to certain user groups.”
The needs assessment is being guided by a steering committee with representation from the Manitoba government, the Town of Churchill, Churchill Chamber of Commerce, tourism operators and the RBC Winnipeg Convention Centre. Input from community stakeholders will also be included, the ministers said.
“This partnership-based approach will seek to continue our community’s ongoing economic diversification efforts while at the same time enabling a new use for Town Centre Complex. We are pleased to undertake this necessary next step,” said Mayor Michael Spence, Town of Churchill.
The needs assessment will explore the opportunity and investigate types of facilities in other remote northern locations that have successfully built meeting or convention business models. It is anticipated the feasibility study will be completed by this fall, the ministers said.
The Churchill Town Centre is managed by the Town of Churchill through an annual operating grant administered by the Manitoba government. The facility houses a hospital, high school, public library, play structure, theatre, curling club, bowling alley, ice rink, swimming pool and the town offices.
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