Owen Sound visitor services relocation to art gallery to be monitored

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The City of Owen Sound plans to collect feedback and data on a planned pilot project that will see tourism visitor services relocated to the Tom Thomson Art Gallery this year.

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Visitor services have historically been located at a shared space at the Community Waterfront Heritage Centre in the historic CN rail station on 1^st Avenue West from the May long weekend to Thanksgiving. For the remainder of the year the service has been offered at city hall and at kiosks throughout the city.

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But this year, from the May long weekend to the end of the year, visitor services will be relocated to the art gallery. The move comes after in 2023, Tourism and Events moved under a new cultural umbrella within the community services department and are now overseen by the art gallery’s director and chief curator Aidan Ware. As part of its service review last year, council supported exploring the reorganization of the library, tourism and art gallery entrance to create a shared reception and customer service area.

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During Monday’s council meeting, some councillors asked staff to closely monitor feedback to fully understand the pros and cons of the relocation. While extended hours was identified as a positive for the relocation, one area identified as a potential challenge was parking.

“Where it is situated now, or has been, has certain advantages,” Deputy-mayor Scott Greig said. “Maybe they come into Owen Sound pulling a fishing boat and it is more accessible (at the CWHC).”

Director of Community Services Pam Coulter noted that there are several areas where public parking is available in close proximity to the art gallery and library, in both the 800 and 900 blocks of 1^st Avenue West and in the 900 block of 1^st Avenue East. The city is looking at creating some short-term parking spaces for people making short stops at visitor services.

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Coulter said there are a number of benefits to making the move, including improved safety for summer staff. With three students being hired to provide visitor services this year, Coulter noted that one can stay behind at the art gallery location, while the other two can be out in the community.

“I am really looking forward to the positive impact of that,” Coulter said.

During the pilot project, data will be collected separately for visitors to the art gallery and those accessing visitor services, Coulter said.

“We will certainly make sure we are open to hearing feedback and challenges as it comes in and report those at the end of the one-year pilot,” Coulter said.

Council heard on Monday that the CWHC also plans to collect data about visitors at its location.

Starting May 17, tourism services will be open to the public at the art gallery seven days a week, Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. am Sundays from noon to 4 p.m. During the pilot, the art gallery will also be open on Sundays.

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