'That don't impress me much': timmins councillor opts for closure of money-losing shania twain centre.

• Author: Cowan, Liz
• Position: TIMMINS

While a report on the Shania Twain Centre (STC) in Timmins suggests spending more money on the revenue-losing attraction, a Timmins city councillor wants another option - closure - to be considered.

"It is a pretty contentious issue locally," said Coun. Todd Lever. "I brought it up because it needs to be discussed and it is a way. to engage the citizens."

The Underground Gold Mine Tour also operates from the centre and attendance at the two attractions has steadily declined since ' 2002. The STC peaked that year with 8,400. visitors, but declined by 66 per cent last year to 2,800. In 2002, the tour attracted 6,200 visits, but declined 36 per cent to 4,000 last year. In late May, a consultant's report' was tabled and discussed at a committee of the whole meeting. Lever said at the meeting the option of closure must be discussed and all options must be considered.

According to the report prepared by PKF Consulting, the combined attractions have operated at a net loss ranging from $160,500 in 2005 to $321,000 in 2009. Based on full staffing allocations and cost recoveries, municipal investments in the attractions have ranged from $280,000 to $320,000.

"Tourist attractions themselves don't make money, but it is the macro issue of whether they are a draw and pulling people in or is it something they visit while they are here," Lever said. "I don't think it is a draw."

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The report outlined four scenarios at the meeting. They included the status quo, downscaling the attractions to operate on a seasonal basis, enhancing the attractions and expansion of the attractions. Council, in late June, decided to enhance the attractions and keep the centre open. Lever and two other councillors voted against the resolution.

Lever has high praise for what both attractions offer visitors, but he thinks tourism dollars could be better spent on sporting events and facilities.

"We can improve local facilities and then we can host bigger and better tournaments which still bring in people who spend money, but then the citizens have the benefit of using the facilities," he said. "(The STC) has been open for 10 years and the purpose of the report was...