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DOORS OPEN AND CULTURE DAYS
The Committee discussed the traditional Doors Open Barrie and Culture Days options due to the COVID-19 pandemic and emergency measures.
T. Wierzba, Planner advised that Tourism Simcoe County would be cancelling Doors Open for 2020.
C. Colebatch provided information on the Ontario Heritage Trust received funding from Destination Ontario and are putting together a virtual website and are looking for content that can include pictures and videos. She commented that there is no cost to be included in the virtual website excluding the content itself. Ms. Colebatch advised she provided the information to the BIA to share with their membership for any interest to participate.
D. Exel advised that the Barrie Historical Archive will be participating by doing the walking tours that they normally do and will be recording the tours and uploading to the website. She noted the advantage of doing the tours virtually being able to integrate resources that are not physically there. Ms. Exel noted that they will be doing a walking tour of Downtown Barrie.
Ms. Colebatch discussed ideas for more participation in the virtually walking tours such as the City’s website, local news outlets, and This Week in Barrie. She suggested reaching out to last year’s participants and other interested parties to not only showcase Downtown Barrie but other areas as well.
T. Wierzba, Planner advised that City staff are currently working on innovative ideas to try and promote the redeveloped Dunlop Street and bringing people to the Downtown.