Winterlude Snapshots
Posted Feb 3, 2012 11:54:29 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Winterlude organizers no longer fear Mother Nature as in previous years. Weather can wipe out an entire weekend’s worth of events, but the N.C.C’s Guy Laflamme tells 1310News., “since the 90’s we’ve become experts at putting in place contingency plans”. A tent is available to cover the ice sculptures in Confederation Park and crews are using artificial snow making in Gatineau Park to maintain levels. “We have as many indoor events as outdoor activities now” which will give visitors more options. Laflamme points to the Winterlude Jazz Festival and programs at the Canadian Museum of Nature and Aviation and Space Museum as additions that won’t be scrubbed due to weather.
Winterlude is going “green”. Guy Laflamme of the N.C.C. tells 1310News “Winterlude will also be carbon neutral”. In an effort to reduce the environmental impact on the region, the N.C.C is encouraging participants to use the Snobus which is free for all three weekends. Laflamme also says they are working with the city of Ottawa this year to introduce composting at all event sites. This follows the N.C.C’s efforts for Canada Day and Christmas Lights across Canada.
Tourism is a key economic drivers for the National Capital Region and Winterlude plays a big part. Canada Day and Winterlude are the two biggest draws. Guy Laflamme of the N.C.C tells 1310News “we expect 600 000 participants this year, one third from outside the region. And all those visitors mean a financial windfall on both sides of the river. “Total economic impact generated by Winterlude in Ontario and Quebec is $159 million”. That means you can expect the bars and restaurants to be busy with direct financial impact on our region estimated at $73.8 million.
