Feature Article January 29, 2004
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Frontenac Centre project making a comeback
It was at least nine months ago when the Frontenac Centre project was last talked about, but a 40-page confidential report on the proposal, prepared by consultant Kathryn Wood, has recently been presented to County Council and to Councillors in North Frontenac.
The Frontenac Centre project was brought forward two years ago by then County Economic Development Officer Brian Ritchie. The idea was to seek a developer who would build a four season resort somewhere in the County on a parcel of wilderness that had ready access to good roads. The concept also included a proposed arts component, envisioning it as a place for up and coming artists to develop their technique and vision.
Kathryn Wood has been working on the feasibility of the project and on cost studies as well, and will be making a presentation to County council on February 18, after which time the current state of plans will probably be made public.
A joint in camera meeting is scheduled for March 3 in Plevna, for North and Central Frontenac Councils to look at the latest report and consider possible locations for the site. Current County Economic Development Officer Karen Fisher said a public meeting on the proposal is envisioned for sometime after March 3 to discuss the proposal.
Central and North Frontenac Councils spent $5,000 each on the feasibility study, while South Frontenac and the Frontenac Islands declined.
Any proposal will be contingent on finding an investor that wants to buy in to what will be an expensive enterprise, because neither the County as a whole nor the two townships involved envision owning the Frontenac Centre.
Addington Highlands has also been developing a four season resort proposal in the past three years, and are getting to the point of shopping it around to potential investors.
