Continuing the series of posts from regular contributor Fallsview, here is part 4…
Fallsview Casino: Not much to say about the 1 billion dollar Casino, other then their in-ability to envision possible future problems with only building a 1500 seat theatre. They are being ousted by bigger name acts across the river at Seneca. And everywhere I turn in the city, is an advertisement for a Seneca events center concert. Is it because we invested 1 billion dollars, that we think that we put in enough of an effort to not compete with this Casino, and the soon to be built Buffalo Creek Casino…Don’t forget, free drinks for players and smoking are a part of the U.S side Casinos. Even the Casino in Windsor realized they were losing out to the 3 new Casinos in Detroit, so they are now in the final stages of a new 30-story hotel and 5000-seat concert venue. Not to mention they are also building a 6500 seat arena for their OHL Hockey club and travelling shows. I hope the rumors are true that a 10,000-seat venue will be a part of the new Convention Center. The Convention Center is probably the most important investment if promoted properly and scheduled appropriately. “Business tourism is a $17 billion niche sector which attracts big spending tourists. “Keep Casino Niagara Openâ€
High-level Entertainment for the family: In today’s sophisticated marketplace there are no advanced shows in the city, with the exception of Beauty and the Beast at the Niagara Center for the Performing Arts during Winter months. And world renowned and International Grand Champion of Magic Greg Frewin, who had to fund his own theatre in a very feeble, off the beaten path location of the tourist district. A wonderful show, but again not the kind of financial and local support allotted to those in other world class destinations. The one bright light over the last 5 years and one of the last proposed attractions to commence, was Cirque Niagara, which has recently filed for bankruptcy and closed up shop after claiming to be looking for a new larger and more visual location.
More Entertainment needed: The Hilton Hotel is adding a 52-story hotel to their already impressive North/South towers. Yet our Hotels have no themes or character like the European style hotels of Atlantic City. I just wish that they had the foresight to try and sign a big name act (“hint†blue man group) to a contract to play daily in a permanent in house theatre. Also included would be a large LCD video screen/marquee out front, similar to the one across the street at the Casino, ala Las Vegas. Here is a short list of some of the shows you can catch on any given night on the Vegas strip: Bette Midler, Celine Dion, Elton John, Chris Angel, Toni Braxton, Blue Man group, Penn & Tellar, Price is Right, Cirque du soleil, Mama Mia, Carrot Top, Stomp out Loud, Phantom of the opera. Not to mention thousands of the top conventions, concerts, and travelling shows in the world.
Niagara Parks: They are in the midst of putting in a very impressive new building that will add more retail and dining areas. One thing I’ve heard rumors about and would love to see happen is to see an outdoor skating area near the falls. I would go one step further to see included a donated seasonal tree that would rival Rockefeller Plaza in New York with Holiday music playing throughout the Falls viewing walkway. (It would be nice at the NP Police Headquarters.) Now I realize that our festival of lights takes an immense amount of funding and that most festivals are sometimes two years in the planning stages, but it’s hard to swallow when a small city like Sarnia holds a yearly Bayfest on their waterfront, and are now able to secure such acts as Aerosmith, Nickelback, Def Leppard, Kid Rock, Keith Urban, Toby Keith, Brooks & Dunn, 3 Doors Down, Bryan Adams, ZZ Top and Everclear in front of over 20,000 fans. If this little known city can do it in the middle of the busy concert summer series, then why is this world famous city signing acts like Foreigner without their original frontman for a massive New Years Eve bash. I‘ve heard that it is hard to book acts for New Years, but I find it hard to believe that with a couple of years planning that this couldn’t become the premiere Festival of the year in Canada.
Clean up the dead areas: I can’t tell you how many times I have read comments through the internet about how grungy the outskirts of the tourist areas are. I agree, but if your going to let your infrastructure fall apart in these areas, then how is this going to be perceived to the 13 million visitors per year. In and around the Fallsview district are old dilapidated buildings and half empty lots with over grown weeds. Running up along Ferry street into Lundy’s Lane is an area that 75% of tourists venture through, yet is one of the worst roads and most disgusting parts of the city, same with Victoria Avenue heading towards the 200 million dollar Great Wolf Lodge. Not pleasant for a family, about to drop down over a thousand dollars on a once a year vacation.
Role of our elected leaders: Recently when council attended meetings at a conference for the Association of Municipalities of Ontario inquiring about funding from the provincial government to enhance the 420 corridor leading into the city, which is the location most visitors enter. One city council member was quoted in the paper as saying “I felt foolish going in (asking for money) to make our road look pretty when other cities are asking to make their roads drive-able. I can respect their integrity! Yet as a civic leader, it is their responsibility to enhance the city that they reside in, to best of their ability. And not concern themselves with those who are in charge of their own backyards. The province recently added $170,000 to Niagara tourism projects. Now I realize that there is more funding then this allocated towards the region by the government. Yet by contrast, the Serbian government has decided to allocate 50 million from its National investment plan for the development of Serbian tourism. Moroccan Tourism Minister, Adil Douirim, announced that the Moroccan government has allocated ($9 billion) to invest in the tourism sector in the framework of the government’s plan to lure up to 10 million tourists by 2010. The New York state budget provides nearly $22 million for tourism promotion efforts including $16 million for the “I Love New York†program, a nearly 50 percent increase over last year, as well as $5.3 million for local tourism matching grants, a $500,000 increase over last year.
Other parts in the series: