March 29, 2024
BANGOR DAILY NEWS (BANGOR, MAINE

Calais plans tourism push for waterfront> Residents offer many suggestions at workshop

CALAIS — Residents of this border community hope that a marina and amphitheater will help make the St. Croix River a tourist destination.

Nearly 50 residents attended a workshop Wednesday night to discuss how the waterfront could be developed in a way that would draw valuable tourist dollars into the local economy without disturbing the area’s natural beauty.

The meeting was an effort by the City Council to find out how residents want the riverfront developed. It was clear after the meeting that most residents were not interested in waterslides and kid parks.

In addition to a marina and an amphitheater, other suggestions were: a heritage center; extension of the river walkway to the Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuge; a trolley bus to connect parking areas around the waterfront; recreational vehicle parking area; a salmon-education center; and a microbrewery and restaurant.

In April, the city councilors voted to hire Environmental Design and Management Ltd. of Halifax, Nova Scotia, to create a business development plan for the city. Earlier this year, the firm drafted a similar plan for the development of downtown St. Stephen, New Brunswick, as a tourist destination area.

The Canadian plan builds on the existing attraction at Ganong Place on Main Street, the original home of the Ganong Chocolatier factory. Ganong candy is popular throughout North America.

EDM representatives have been in Calais for the past two months talking with area residents and businesses. The plan is expected to focus on the city’s waterfront and its rich cultural heritage, which includes St. Croix Island.

In 1604, the French established one of the earliest European colonies in the New World on the island. The island is a favorite among local boaters, who sail to the south end and step ashore on the same sandy beach where expedition leader Pierre du Guast, Sieur de Monts, and geographer and historian Samuel de Champlain first set foot. Residents Wednesday night discussed ways to promote interest in the historic site including boat tours to the island.

EDM representative Peter Klynstra told the group that his firm would incorporate the suggestions offered Wednesday night into the list of recommendations the firm had collected during the past few weeks. He said a preliminary plan would be drafted and presented to area residents at a second workshop.


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