The visitor centre in Air Ronge has been closed since the end of April. (Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)

By Derek Cornet

tourism

Air Ronge visitor centre could reopen in August

Jul 17, 2023 | 4:28 PM

The Lac La Ronge Regional Visitor Centre could reopen as early as the second week in August if a general manager is found to operate the facility.

That’s according to Woodlands and Waterways Regional Development Corporation co-chairperson Ryan Veteri, who explained a lot of positive work has been done since an annual general meeting was held at the end of May. For instance, a new accountant has been hired and the corporation now has a full board.

Those who sit on the Woodlands and Waterway board also includes co-chairperson Josy Roske, Shelly Lobb, Tania Colbert, James Hope Howard, Krista Funk, Kevin Roberts, Ann Ratt, Viviana Ruiz-Arcand, Corey Hardcastle and Kristy McDougall.

“We are starting fresh,” Veteri said.

“We do have, of course now, a new accountant, new board members and we have put out an ad just recently for a new general manager, which the closing date is July 23, so this coming weekend. After that, once it is closed, we are hoping to have candidates. There is a select group of board members who have volunteered to do the interviews for the general manager position and then, after that, if there is a successful candidate, then we will talk about reopening.”

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The general manager will oversee the day-to-day activities of the visitor centre, including tourist orientation and artisan retail operations. Some of the manager’s duties will include management and accounting of retail inventory, consignment and day-to-day finances, including report preparation. They will also be responsible for hiring and oversight of part-time staff as needed, in cooperation with the board chairperson and accountant, planning and executing centre activities, including oversight of office space and rentals, and more.

“The board will be staying engaged in strategic planning and we just ask the community to stay tuned for exciting things to come,” Veteri said. “Our priority will be for tourism and the visitor centre. The arts and crafts was added later and, because the three partners pay for the visitor centre and tourism centre, that’s what the main focus is going to be on.”

Since the centre closed at the end of April, Veteri noted all outstanding arrears have been paid. The corporation owed $16,000 in PST and up to $41,000 in GST. In addition, there was another $12,100 in uncashed cheques.

In May, Air Ronge council approved a $25,000 loan for Woodlands and Waterway and La Ronge council provided a grant for the same amount. The visitor centre was kept afloat with yearly contributions of $25,000 each from Air Ronge, La Ronge and the Lac La Ronge Indian Band.

“It took a little while for La Ronge to get us the money, but it finally did come through,” Veteri said. “We now have that in there and we have taken care of all the arrears, which was probably one of the biggest things we took care of before we get a manager in there because we want to set them up for success.”

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derek.cornet@pattisonmedia.com

Twitter: @saskjourno