Lennox & Addington County receives $100,000 for the Dark Sky Viewing Area from RTO9 through FedDev Ontario to attract visitors and support future growth
The tourism sector is vital to the economy and jobs in Lennox & Addington County. Known as the most southerly dark sky site in Ontario, the Lennox & Addington Dark Sky Viewing Area in Erinsville draws thousands of stargazers to the community.
Today, Lennox & Addington County received a non-repayable contribution of $100,000 from RTO9 South Eastern Ontario to greatly enhance the visitor experience at the Dark Sky Viewing Area. This is part of the Government of Canada’s Tourism Relief Fund, delivered by the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario). RTO9 received $4.65 million from FedDev Ontario to help local tourism organizations and businesses safely welcome back visitors, recover from the impacts of the pandemic and prepare for future growth.
This investment will help Lennox & Addington County adapt and recover to attract new visitors and drive economic growth in the region.
Quotes
“Our government is happy to invest $78 million through the Tourism Relief Fund to help communities across southern Ontario rejuvenate local tourist attractions. With this funding, southern Ontario’s Regional Tourism Organizations and Indigenous Tourism Ontario are providing hundreds of local businesses and organizations with the support they need to create jobs, attract more visitors and grow local economies, now and into the future.”
The Honourable Filomena Tassi, Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario
“This project has allowed us to take the Lennox & Addington Dark Sky Viewing Area experience to another level. The enlarged platform space will allow additional visitors to set up telescopes and cameras. The light obstruction from the highway and parking lot is removed from the light barrier installation, and our event visitors will be wowed by the new telescope and presentation equipment.”
Rob Plumley, Community Development Officer, Lennox & Addington County
Quick facts
- The Lennox & Addington Dark Sky Viewing Area is the most southerly dark sky site in Ontario. Free from light pollution, the site location provides a pristine view of the stars very similar to what was available over a century ago.
- RTO 9 works closely with tourism-related business owners across southeastern Ontario in the development and promotion of visitation to the region. The organization works closely with destination marketing organizations, destination marketing programs, municipalities, counties and independent business owners to explore strategic projects and programs to support and grow tourism.
- The Government of Canada’s $500-million Tourism Relief Fundis helping tourism-oriented businesses and organizations recover from the pandemic and prepare for future growth. FedDev Ontario is delivering nearly $120 million of the Tourism Relief Fund across southern Ontario.
Associated Links
Contacts
Edward Hutchinson
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario
edward.hutchinson@feddevontario.gc.ca
Rob Plumley
Community Development Officer
Lennox & Addington County
613-453-1010
rplumley@lennox-addington.on.ca
Katherine Hobbs
Project Manager
Regional Tourism Organization 9
khobbs@region9tourism.ca
About FedDev Ontario
For 13 years, the Government of Canada, through FedDev Ontario, has worked to advance and diversify the southern Ontario economy through funding opportunities and business services that support innovation, growth and job creation in Canada’s most populous region. The Agency has delivered impressive results, which can be seen in southern Ontario businesses that are creating innovative technologies, improving productivity, growing revenues, creating jobs, and in the economic advancement of communities across the region. Learn more about the impacts the Agency is having in southern Ontario by exploring our pivotal projects, our Southern Ontario Spotlight, and FedDev Ontario’s Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.
About the Lennox & Addington Dark Sky Viewing Area
The Lennox & Addington Dark Sky Area is owned and operated by Lennox & Addington County. Since opening in 2013, thousands of visitors travel from urban areas to view the night sky at the Dark Sky Viewing Area each year. It is known as the most southerly dark sky site in Ontario, with viewing conditions very similar to what was available more than a century ago. In addition to general stargazing, which is well-attended 12 months per year, many themed events take place at the site from April through October. Laser-guided tours of the night sky, astrophotography events and telescope viewings are extremely popular, typically selling out well in advance. Find out more on the Dark Sky Viewing Area’s website and on their Facebook and Instagram channels.
About RTO9
RTO 9 is a regional tourism organization established in 2010 that is funded by the Ontario Ministry of Tourism Culture and Sport. RTO 9 actively promotes tourism for the southeastern Ontario region and works to support and grow the tourism industry through marketing, product development, investment attraction, and workforce development initiatives.
