Redevelopment of Old Fort Erie

2012: Reason to Return to Niagara

Presentation to: Fort Erie Town CouncilOctober 14th, 2009

Importance of Old Fort Erie

1. First fort built in Ontario by British in 17642. First and only British fort in Canada on the Great

Lakes during the American Revolution3. Site of only siege in Canada during War of 18124. Bloodiest Battlefield in Canada – 3,000 killed and

wounded (August 3rd and September 19th, 1814)5. Native Involvement

a) Burial Ground b) John Norton connectionc) Six Nations and Western Confederacy served here

Importance of Old Fort Erie

6. The major crossing point of the underground railroad

7. Largest Fenian Raid, 18668. Visited by Pontiac, General Brock, General Winfield

Scott, Lord and Lady Simcoe, Prince Edward (future King Edward VII), & Mark Twain

9. Designated National Historic Site10. Location of capture of the Ohio and the Somers

warships August 1814

Market• Development of Heritage Enthusiast

as target market in recent Ministry of Tourism and Ministry of Culture studies• Take advantage of 1812 Bicentennial

“Buzz”

Strategy 1: Focus on Fort Erie

• Gateway to Canada, Ontario and Niagara• Vantage point at head of Niagara River• Some of most dramatic stories here• Destination allows for dramatic

reenactments, tours of fort and small town within

• Near Peace Bridge, head of Niagara Parkway

Goals of Redevelopment:

1. Increase Value of Experience to Visitors2. Increase Capacity of Site (Buses and

school groups)3. Improve Sustainability of Site for Long-

term (extend operations to shoulder seasons and be revenue neutral while extending infrastructure viability for decades)

The Basics:1 – Remove traffic circle

2 – New Visitor Centre

3 - Replace old pavilion

4 – Position Earthworks

5 – Improve perimeter security

Components of Proposed Visitor Centre

• Theatre – seating for 70• Museum – expanded display area to include

Fort Erie’s history (1764 until Snake Hill Dig)• Storage – suitable for archives and artifacts• Food Court - doubles as holding area for

groups and/or in case of inclement weather• Retail Area – with gallery for local artisans

Anticipated Impact on Visitation

• Visit includes multi media presentation, museum quality display gallery, and interactive tour of earthworks and Fort

• Time spent at site is expected to increase

• Opportunity to create interest in other offerings in the area

Impact of Bicentennial (2012-2014)

• Increased exposure and visitation based on collective and NPC promotion including; marketing efforts towards school groups and PBS airing of 2 hour docu-drama on the war

• Expect an increase in annual visitation will be accommodated at the new facility but would not be required for future viability

Strategy 2: Brand as 1 Experience

• Create single brand that ties together all heritage sites as one

• Improvements along Heritage Trail and individual sites that unify experience– Improved signage that is consistent – Add interpretation via exhibits, media, dioramas

along trail – Provide designated picnic areas, scenic views and

rest stops along trail

Looking for Lincoln:• Heritage trail throughout region• Unified system of signs and Interpretive panels• Museums, visitors centers, historic buildings and sites

Blue Ridge Parkway:“Share the Journey” – families , groups

Picnic areas, trails, visitor centersBrand emphasize whole parkway journey

Anchor destinations

Similar Experiences

Synergies• Cultural and Historic Sites on Niagara

peninsula• Town of Fort Erie• Niagara Falls• Niagara-on-the-Lake• Peace Bridge Authority• Other sites: Fort George

Brocks Monument Lundy’s Lane

Progress To-Date• Contracted Peckham Guyton Albers & Viets,

(PGAV) to create proposal for Heritage Development (Phase I Assessment-complete)

• Application submitted to National Historic Sites Cost-Sharing Program including earth works reconstruction

• Preliminary application to federal Cultural Spaces Program for new Welcome Centre (requires Master Plan)

Progress To-Date

• Submitted information on 1812 Bicentennial Plan to Ministry of Tourism

• Engaged Venerio V.P. Panici Architect to develop preliminary design for the building

• Engaging PGAV to complete Phase II to develop Master Plan for Old Fort Erie and heritage brand package for Niagara River Corridor (including Parks Canada efforts and funding)

Timelines

1. Master Plan – complete by January 20102. Approval of Master Plan by NPC Commission

with updated application3. Resubmit to program by March 20104. Funding in place by Summer 20105. Complete design and engineering Dec. 20106. Construction start no later than April 20117. Project completion March 2012

Next Steps for NPC

• Refinement of Business Plan:– Long-term economic sustainability– Opportunity for funding from other levels of

government and community partners• Consider marketing strategies• Develop a communications plan• Continue to develop synergies• Continue to lead in recognition and

celebration of 2012 Bicentennial

2012 Old Fort Erie will be a reason to Return to

Niagara

Thank YouFor Your

Time