Lockeport Loop offers hope for more tourism dollar

“Where is our share of the pie?” questioned Crosby.

His presentation was made on behalf of the Lockeport Loop Steering Committee, an organization created to bring more tourism into the community of Lockeport and the surrounding area.

The loop essentially starts and ends at Lockeport’s two Highway 103 exits and takes in both the town and the area’s numerous surrounding communities.

Crosby said 140,000 vehicles passed by Exits 23 and 24 between June and Oct. 2006 without turning in.

He said if they could attract 14,000 of those vehicles to Lockeport, with at least two tourists per vehicle, the dollars spent could be as high as $1.5-million for the economy.

The answer to turning tourists’ heads towards the community is proper signage and more provincial and municipal marketing of the area, Crosby said. Highlighting the Crescent Beach area as one of Nova Scotia’s best beaches is one example, he said.

Members of the Lockeport Loop Steering Committee believe the best tourists to draw to the area would be Nova Scotians from other parts of the province.

Crosby said they would need better websites, lure brochures, map signs, rest areas, and festival and event promotions in addition to a project coordinator and beautification.

To do all of that, Crosby added they need funding sources.

The group hopes to gain monetary help from the Town of Lockeport in the amount of $5,000 each year for two years as well as money from the Municipality of the District of Shelburne, the Nova Scotia Department of Tourism, Economic Development, Service Canada, and local businesses.

The total estimated cost would be $210,000.

It would be a project that would benefit all, Crosby said, while reminding the councillors tourism at the Crescent Beach Centre has gone from 14,000-to-8,000 visitors in the past five years.

Mayor Huskilson commented on the 45-minute presentation. “This is a teaze and seems like something to get excited about.”

Council plans to consider the request during the fiscal 2007/08 budgetary process.