Government of Canada investing $250,000 into outdoor tourism infrastructure in Thunder Bay
News release
FedNor funds will help support Blacksheep Mountain Bike Club to upgrade and improve local production and tourist attraction capabilities in Thunder Bay
September 5, 2024 – Thunder Bay, ON – Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario – FedNor
The Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Indigenous Services and Minister responsible for FedNor, and Member of Parliament for Thunder Bay—Superior North, today announced a FedNor investment of $250,000 in Blacksheep Mountain Bike Club.
The funds announced today will support Blacksheep Mountain’s Trowbridge Forest Master Plan, which includes improvements to and expansion of the Trowbridge Forest trail system. These upgrades will include five kilometres of trail expansion and improvements to over 30 kilometres of existing trail. FedNor funds will also help support the creation of a trail manager position. This project will help enable the hosting of major regional, provincial, and international events, including the 2024 XCM Canadian Championships, a national mountain biking event taking place on Saturday, September 7th.
In addition to mountain biking, these upgrades will allow for a wide range of all-season trail uses, including hiking, snowshoeing, trail running, and Nordic skiing. The Trowbridge Forest trail system includes popular outdoor spaces within the City of Thunder Bay, including Centennial Park, Shuniah Mines, Trowbridge Falls Park, and Kinsmen Park.
This FedNor investment will help strengthen Thunder Bay’s vibrant outdoor and adventure tourism industry, and supports the Government of Canada’s tourism strategy: Canada 365: Welcoming the World. Every Day.
Quotes
“Community organizations like Blacksheep Mountain Bike Club are what makes our region so special. Today’s investment will help expand the business and allow them to host events like the 2024 XCM Canadian Championships. It will bring more tourists here, grow our economy, and create good-paying jobs in Northen Ontario.“
- The Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Indigenous Services and Minister Responsible for FedNor, Member of Parliament for Thunder Bay—Superior North
“Northern Ontario offers breathtaking landscapes and thousands of pristine lakes and rivers that could easily take a lifetime to discover! Through the Tourism Growth Program, the Government of Canada is supporting local organizations like Blacksheep Mountain Bike Club to fuel the economic engine in their communities. Investing in the tourism industry will also help to attract more domestic and international visitors to explore this bewitchingly wild region, time and again.”
- The Honourable Soraya Martinez Ferrada, Minister of Tourism and Minister responsible for the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec
“Thunder Bay is surrounded by nature and situated in a beautiful part of Canada, and we are proud to support people from all over in experiencing what our area has to offer. We have a well-earned reputation as a great place for four-season trail adventures, and we at Blacksheep Mountain Bike Club are proud to be part of a growing community working to cement that reputation worldwide. FedNor’s support has helped us to grow and accomplish so much, including the coming 2024 XCM Canadian Championships, and we would be proud to partner on projects in the future.”
- David Valente, President, Blacksheep Mountain Bike Club
Quick facts
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Blacksheep Mountain Bike Club (BMBC) is a not-for-profit organization governed by an eight-member board of directors. The organization has over 500 members and is operated by volunteers.
- BMBC is member of the International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA).
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The funds announced today are provided through the Tourism Growth Program (TGP), a Government of Canada program through which $108 million will be delivered over three years. TGP funds are delivered by Regional Development Agencies and aim to support communities, small and medium-sized businesses, and not-for-profit organizations in developing local tourism products and experiences.
- The program also complements supports for the tourism industry provided through other federal, provincial, and territorial programs.
Associated links
Contacts
Jennifer Kozelj
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Indigenous Services and Minister responsible for FedNor
jennifer.kozelj@sac-isc.gc.ca
Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario
Media Relations