The familiar Ontario Tourist Information Centre on Highway 417 (Trans-Canada Highway) near Chute-à-Blondeau may close. Analysis of users seems to show that most users are commuters who use it as a rest stop on the busy corridor between the country’s two most populous provinces.
Member of Provincial Parliament Stéphane Sarrazin said the centre has been the topic of discussion for the past three years, as “the province regularly reviews its infrastructure to ensure public resources are being used effectively.”
“Maintaining and upgrading the centre would require significant investment, and the province is carefully evaluating whether this investment aligns with the current and projected needs of this corridor,” Sarrazin told The Review.
No specific refurbishment or operational costs were provided.
He explained that data collected over the past three years has shown that most travellers who use the Chute-à-Blondeau facility are commuters between Montréal and Ottawa for work. By contrast, Sarrazin added that the 401 corridor between Montréal and Toronto carries the most tourism traffic.
“Most of these travellers use the tourism centre in Ottawa when they reach their destination, which reduces the practical use of the Chute-à-Blondeau facility,” Sarrazin explained. “The review we conducted reflects a broader effort to ensure that tourism infrastructure serves both residents and visitors.”
The studies, Sarrazin says, focused on understanding community impact, usage patterns, and potential alternatives for providing services efficiently.
“We understand that local services such as this centre are important to the community. While the future of the centre is under review, we are actively engaging with the province to explore all possible options to maintain essential services,” Sarrazin said.
“Updates will be provided as the review progresses, and we remain committed to keeping the public informed.”
Destination Ontario confirmed the centre is already closed for the season, but would not comment on a possible permanent closure.
Visitors to the centre will notice a posting on the entrance directing them to contact an Ontario Travel Counsellor at 1-800-668-2746 or book a virtual appointment at www.picktime/destinationontario.
Photos by Philip Oddi:
If the province isn’t going to maintain it and staff it — and given the structure’s generally shabby appearance and the fact that it’s usually closed, it’s clear they are not — then tear it down and stop pretending tourists (particularly from Québec, I guess) are welcome.
Ironically the “Welcome to Ontario” sign a few hundred meters before the facility has Mr Ford’s favorite “Open for business!” slogan and the next thing the tourist sees is a “welcome center” that is not Open For Business at all and, worse, looks a mess.
Bulldoze it.
Allowing this centre to fall into disrepair and then closing it due to ‘lack of utility’ is a self-fulfilling prophecy. It is a poor strategy to neglect an asset and then cite its rundown state as a reason for closure. The government must do better than this. Investing in and re-imagining this centre’s role is the responsible path forward, not abandonment.