As for the many trees that were removed from the land that Drouin purchased from the United Counties of Prescott and Russell, “we were able to keep that from becoming a distraction by recycling all the wood,” says Sylvain Lauzon, Calypso’s executive vice-president, who was hired two years ago to manage the development. “It’s used in the bridges around the park, and we also planted hundreds of new trees to recreate some of the green space.”
Local concerns appeared to evaporate as the park edged closer to completion, and thousands of spectators flocked to the preview days last fall. When an exit sign was posted on the highway, it seemed to spark a realization that the project was happening—whether they liked it or not.
The county’s preliminary study forecasting economic spinoffs of about $750 million over 10 years was met with widespread cynicism in the local press, but there are some small signs that the park may act as a catalyst for growth. Limoges now has its own tourist information centre, and thousands of new homes are set to be built around town. And while local politicians aren’t convinced the park is responsible for the sudden explosion of construction, there’s nevertheless a boomtown feeling in the air.
“Is this park a good idea? I wouldn’t do this if I did not think so, and I’ve been doing this a very long time,” says Drouin. “We are close to Ottawa, which has nothing like this. We are close to Montreal. There is nothing else like this anywhere around.”
He won’t know if the business model is a success for several years, he says — long-term feasibility can’t be gauged in one season. Nor will he talk about his target for season’s passes, although he’s clearly comfortable with the 6,000 of them he has already sold. “We have now sold the type of number that makes it much easier to sleep at night,” he says. “Now we wait for the sun, and hope for the best.”
|
Recent rankings on Globeandmail.com: |
