Something unique is happening in Kenora and it is good. With the end of a hundred years of pulp and paper making, we are, for the fifth time in over a century, reinventing much of our economy with a focus on tourism and new business investment. In so doing, we are rediscovering the history and the experiences of our community and First Nations partners. Many opportunities will emerge to the benefit of citizens, cottagers and visitors.
As we begin to identify and share what we have in the City and places around Lake of the Woods, we will fast become “the” place to visit and live.
We are the cross roads of Canada where history has been made for over 8,000 years. First Nations peoples recognized the richness and diversity of the lake and surrounding forests.
Tunnel Island still has signs of their habitation thousands of years ago. Located in the centre of Kenora, this 380 acre tract of land is a national treasure. Sharing of Tunnel Island’s stories and physical surroundings will begin in the next year.
Many explorers, fur traders, early settlers, and even military expeditions came through Rat Portage on Tunnel Island, the nexus of Canada. This deserves to be seen, experienced and understood. There will be trails and activities to recapture an important part of our past.
Nestled next to the newly developed Tunnel Island trust is the Headwaters Condominium project located on the old Abitibi Bowater staff house property. It is the premier piece of property on the lake, with views of Kenora, Coney Island, Lake of the Woods and the mouth of the Winnipeg River. It is a setting of unparalleled beauty. In the near future the first building will be up. There will also be a walking trail from the condominiums along the lake and under the bridge to the historic Tunnel Island lands.
The Qualico group of companies, through the Headwaters project, will have a $40 million condominium project on Lake of the Woods that will be the envy of every high end destination in North America. Significant research was conducted to determine if a quality residential lakeside project on Lake of the Woods is the right investment at this time. The Headwaters project is proceeding. They know what Kenora has and what it can be.
We are at the cusp of a new economy and an improved quality of life.
Around Lake of the Woods there is a wealth of internationally important sites, including aboriginal petro glyphs and cave paintings, gold mines from our mining boom, sunken vessels from log booming and freight hauling, sites from the whiskey trade before and during Prohibition, a half dozen WWII prisoner of war camps and the Northwest Angle which is the most northerly part of the United States, excepting Alaska, an anomaly stemming from the Treaty of Paris in 1783. These are but a few attractions yet to be shared.
This City was the centre of a long standing border dispute between Manitoba and Ontario. There were more police in Kenora in 1885 than there are here today. It was comic opera for a time, as competing courts and police put each other in jail. We hope to re-enact this in our downtown.
Art, music and entertainment in all forms are growing rapidly. In addition to the excellent base of concerts, theatre and waterfront entertainment, we hope to expand to drama, blues and art festivals. The waterfront will be buzzing with events.
Tours will take visitors to see the hidden jewels of our region.
Imagine, too, our downtown docks rebuilt to their original splendor. All manner of boats and boaters will fill every space bringing much to see and experience. Anticipate a downtown and waterfront alive with people enjoying food, entertainment and a redeveloped core.
Lake of the Woods has the best boating and sailing experiences available on the continent. On the lake, you can see and visit 14,000 islands, mostly uninhabited. There are many, many sand beaches available to just you. The water is clear and warm for swimming. You may see bald eagles, bear, moose, deer, pelicans, ducks and every other manner of wildlife as you journey about the lake. We are a natural attraction.
We have five beaches that could be focal points for citizens and visitors. They will be made available to all. Coney Island, in particular, was part of the Lake of the Woods attraction that brought tourist trains filled with hundreds of people before and during WWII. It will be made attractive and accessible again.
In the winter we have thousands of kilometers of groomed, marked snowmobile trails that offer access to pristine forests, ice fishing and a chance to relax, surrounded by absolute quiet with clean, sparkling white snow. The Evergreen ski hill and cross country ski trails are excellent. Combine this with fine dining, good accommodations and evening entertainment and you have a special experience.
Don’t forget that we remain a fishing and hunting centre in North America.
The City Council of Kenora, Sioux Narrows – Nestor Falls, neighbouring First Nations, hoteliers, tourist operators and private business are partnering to bring to visitors and residents ever increasing opportunities to enjoy our communities and the lake around us. We will share our history, our cultures and our food with you.
Visit often and stay long, perhaps forever. You will enjoy pleasant surprises during every season for years to come.
– Dennis Wallace?
