redevelopment of old fort erie 2012: reason to return to niagara presentation to: fort erie town...
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Redevelopment of Old Fort Erie
2012: Reason to Return to Niagara
Presentation to: Fort Erie Town CouncilOctober 14th, 2009
Importance of Old Fort Erie
1. First fort built in Ontario by British in 17642. First and only British fort in Canada on the Great
Lakes during the American Revolution3. Site of only siege in Canada during War of 18124. Bloodiest Battlefield in Canada – 3,000 killed and
wounded (August 3rd and September 19th, 1814)5. Native Involvement
a) Burial Ground b) John Norton connectionc) Six Nations and Western Confederacy served here
Importance of Old Fort Erie
6. The major crossing point of the underground railroad
7. Largest Fenian Raid, 18668. Visited by Pontiac, General Brock, General Winfield
Scott, Lord and Lady Simcoe, Prince Edward (future King Edward VII), & Mark Twain
9. Designated National Historic Site10. Location of capture of the Ohio and the Somers
warships August 1814
Market• Development of Heritage Enthusiast
as target market in recent Ministry of Tourism and Ministry of Culture studies• Take advantage of 1812 Bicentennial
“Buzz”
Strategy 1: Focus on Fort Erie
• Gateway to Canada, Ontario and Niagara• Vantage point at head of Niagara River• Some of most dramatic stories here• Destination allows for dramatic
reenactments, tours of fort and small town within
• Near Peace Bridge, head of Niagara Parkway
Goals of Redevelopment:
1. Increase Value of Experience to Visitors2. Increase Capacity of Site (Buses and
school groups)3. Improve Sustainability of Site for Long-
term (extend operations to shoulder seasons and be revenue neutral while extending infrastructure viability for decades)
The Basics:1 – Remove traffic circle
2 – New Visitor Centre
3 - Replace old pavilion
4 – Position Earthworks
5 – Improve perimeter security
Components of Proposed Visitor Centre
• Theatre – seating for 70• Museum – expanded display area to include
Fort Erie’s history (1764 until Snake Hill Dig)• Storage – suitable for archives and artifacts• Food Court - doubles as holding area for
groups and/or in case of inclement weather• Retail Area – with gallery for local artisans
Anticipated Impact on Visitation
• Visit includes multi media presentation, museum quality display gallery, and interactive tour of earthworks and Fort
• Time spent at site is expected to increase
• Opportunity to create interest in other offerings in the area
Impact of Bicentennial (2012-2014)
• Increased exposure and visitation based on collective and NPC promotion including; marketing efforts towards school groups and PBS airing of 2 hour docu-drama on the war
• Expect an increase in annual visitation will be accommodated at the new facility but would not be required for future viability
Strategy 2: Brand as 1 Experience
• Create single brand that ties together all heritage sites as one
• Improvements along Heritage Trail and individual sites that unify experience– Improved signage that is consistent – Add interpretation via exhibits, media, dioramas
along trail – Provide designated picnic areas, scenic views and
rest stops along trail
Looking for Lincoln:• Heritage trail throughout region• Unified system of signs and Interpretive panels• Museums, visitors centers, historic buildings and sites
Blue Ridge Parkway:“Share the Journey” – families , groups
Picnic areas, trails, visitor centersBrand emphasize whole parkway journey
Anchor destinations
Similar Experiences
Synergies• Cultural and Historic Sites on Niagara
peninsula• Town of Fort Erie• Niagara Falls• Niagara-on-the-Lake• Peace Bridge Authority• Other sites: Fort George
Brocks Monument Lundy’s Lane
Progress To-Date• Contracted Peckham Guyton Albers & Viets,
(PGAV) to create proposal for Heritage Development (Phase I Assessment-complete)
• Application submitted to National Historic Sites Cost-Sharing Program including earth works reconstruction
• Preliminary application to federal Cultural Spaces Program for new Welcome Centre (requires Master Plan)
Progress To-Date
• Submitted information on 1812 Bicentennial Plan to Ministry of Tourism
• Engaged Venerio V.P. Panici Architect to develop preliminary design for the building
• Engaging PGAV to complete Phase II to develop Master Plan for Old Fort Erie and heritage brand package for Niagara River Corridor (including Parks Canada efforts and funding)
Timelines
1. Master Plan – complete by January 20102. Approval of Master Plan by NPC Commission
with updated application3. Resubmit to program by March 20104. Funding in place by Summer 20105. Complete design and engineering Dec. 20106. Construction start no later than April 20117. Project completion March 2012
Next Steps for NPC
• Refinement of Business Plan:– Long-term economic sustainability– Opportunity for funding from other levels of
government and community partners• Consider marketing strategies• Develop a communications plan• Continue to develop synergies• Continue to lead in recognition and
celebration of 2012 Bicentennial
2012 Old Fort Erie will be a reason to Return to
Niagara
Thank YouFor Your
Time
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