The Tour of Alberta is coming to Innisfail, and locals have an incredible opportunity at their fingertips.
The Tour of Alberta is coming to Innisfail, and locals have an incredible opportunity at their fingertips.
With international media attention sure to be drawn heavily to the Innisfail leg of the increasingly prestigious cycling event, this is a golden chance for Innisfail and its citizens to shine on the international stage and they should be jumping up and down for it.
Oddly enough, with just a week until the event, the town is scrambling for as many as 40 volunteers to man road closures. Local officials hoped to find enough volunteers at an information night on Aug. 28 at the Innisfail Library/Learning Centre.
Imagine, if you will, the streets, businesses and people of Innisfail seen around the world! It could be the Gift Loft, Wild Tim's, Subway or any of the Main Street fixtures we have that someone in Australia or South Africa sees.
This is a lightning strike, but one that draws attention to an issue that is quietly seething in the background.
The Town of Innisfail, along with the Innisfail and District Chamber of Commerce and an ad hoc tourism committee, has been searching for what draws people to Innisfail. They have gone as far as providing training videos for businesses to determine how best to market their company free of charge.
With a new subdivision recently approved, and substantial growth continuing around the Innisfail region, there should be new businesses running to open up in town. Where are they? Penhold is finding them. Why can't Innisfail?
Does the Town of Innisfail have a development officer who travels around the province to trade shows to explain to companies why they should locate in this community?
On that note, what incentive do companies have to relocate or start up on Main Street?
Do the Innisfail and District Chamber of Commerce and the Town of Innisfail work together to attract new business to our area?
Innisfail is a marvelous place to live. People are friendly. The schools are caring, and the town is clean and progressing. Citizens have access to every major service and recreational opportunity. If the political will was strong enough, the town could even apply for city status. But it is not ready for that.
While the issue that seethes beneath the surface is simple, it shows up in the most unlikely ways.
Consider the furor over the taxi service and the resistance to another professional taxi company coming into town. Some wanted to keep the status quo, while others are willing to "grow up" and change with the times. Local citizens require 24-hour service, and soon they will receive it.
In my observations, there is a constant push-and-pull between two forces, one that wants to stay "small-town," and one that wants to move forward.
Forward momentum has been difficult to establish, and I applaud the efforts of council to finish the Downtown Revitalization Project in three phases. It will be worth the effort.
What's next then?
Who is going to step up to the plate and promote Innisfail to the rest of Alberta, and the world?
Innisfail has a world-class business in W.A. Grains & Pulse Systems, an excellent zoo in Discovery Wildlife Park, and world-class auctioneers and rodeo professionals in the Daineses.
As a community, lnnisfailians may want to embrace the future one activity, one brand at a time.
The Tour of Alberta is coming. It is jump on board time.
The world will be watching.
