Bright future

It's been a busy summer for Gateway Labrador.

Jason Ste. Marie, chair of the interpretation centre, and Patsy Ralph, vice-chair, said they weren't expecting to see many tourists come through the doors at the Gateway this summer because of the IOC shutdown (and people leaving for vacation), but have been pleasantly surprised by high numbers.

"We had a couple of tour groups, the visitation to the centre was high, Fermont sent down a couple of tours, the store was very busy, so things were really moving," Ralph pointed out. "A lot of people go to the centre to get information and we're happy about that."

Construction/upgrades

Construction on the lift station has also been moving along, according to Ste. Marie, and Western Pumps - the contractor that was awarded the tender for the project - expects the washroom facilities, water and sewer to be fully functional by early fall.

Gateway Labrador, the executive board members add, has also received some tourism funding including $4,500 from the Town of Labrador City, $3,200 from the provincial Department of Tourism, Culture, and Recreation and there's $5,000 more to come from the province as well.

"When you look at everything over the last 12-month period, we're simply ecstatic about how both the provincial and federal levels of government, as well as the municipalities, have been so supportive," Ste. Marie stated. "When you look at the funds that were allocated to the Gateway for the lift station project and for tourism, there's a definitive buy-in from all the stakeholders and that's really reassuring that not only is there a belief in the complex, but there's also a belief with the group's long-term vision."

Students employed

Ralph said Gateway Labrador had two summer students at the complex through the SWASP (Students Work and Service Program) program this year - one specifically for the Gateway and another through the Labrador West Chamber of Commerce.

Those students, she explained, conducted tours, put together tourism packages, did research and provided information for anyone who came through the Visitor Information Centre.

Focused on attraction

Ste. Marie said the group is now in the process of trying to attract more tenants to the Gateway Labrador complex - mostly non-profit organizations that are engaged in tourism-related activities - and has had preliminary discussions with groups like the Labrador West Chamber of Commerce, Cain's Quest, and the Francophone Association.

"We're also in the process of finalizing a memorandum of understanding with the Chamber of Commerce in terms of collaborating and partnering on tourism-related projects on a go-forward basis," Ste. Marie explained.

"That process is pretty much completed. There are no fine details, but there is a MOU between the Lab. West Chamber of Commerce and Gateway Labrador."

The board members said it isn't uncommon for Chambers to work closely with tourism partners in other areas of the province - some Chambers operate Visitor Information Centres - and both groups thought there were benefits to the partnership.

The organizations will still maintain a separate identity, Ste. Marie explained; they'll just work together on projects when it makes sense to do so.

Doubling up

"When you look at why tourism hasn't been embraced to the extent it should have been over the years, part of that is due to the amount of funds that are available to tourism organizations," he noted. "There are ways we can optimize some of tourism dollars that are out there."

"Operational funding is hard to come by," Ralph added. "You're often scrambling, so the Gateway thought since it was non-profit and the Chamber is non-profit, we thought if we collaborated together we'd be more successful."

Ste. Marie said the provincial government doesn't seem to have much appetite to finance full-time positions for the Gateway, so in order to pursue tourism initiatives at the complex, the volunteer organization has to find creative ways of operating.

The group has a number of tourism-related initiatives it hopes to work on over the next few months including a project to beautify and enhance the area around the Gateway Labrador Interpretive Centre.

On the horizon

Ralph said a committee has been formed to submit a proposal for funding to landscape the area, add some gazebos and sitting areas, as well as erect a large iron ore rock and drill display to welcome visitors when they visit the complex.

The Gateway, Ste. Marie pointed out, is partnering with IOC and the Town of Labrador City on the project - IOC is providing the drill and rock - and is hoping to implement it sometime next year.

Ralph and Ste. Marie said they feel like there's finally a light at the end of the tunnel for Gateway Labrador - the organization has gone from possibly having to close to planning new initiatives within a year - and the board is confident it can only get better.

"There's a lot of things on the horizon," Ste. Marie stated. "We're really excited. Any type of change brings its challenges, but we feel we're on course, the ship is sailing and hopefully we get to our destination."