View - The Municipality of Lambton Shores

4.4 Glen Baillie – Grand Bend Chamber of Commerce
Grand Bend Chamber of Commerce focuses on tourism, with many hotels. The goal of
the Chamber is to extend the season. There are about 30 businesses open year round.
Many businesses are open only during the tourist season. There are only two chain
stores, Tim Hortons and Subway, and two grocery stores, the rest are independent.
Visitor services available through the kiosk, the guide and the internet. Webervations
will be launched to find available hotel and motel in the area. It will not allow
reservations to be made directly to avoid booking to party goers. Bylaw enforcement
and active dissuading party goers are helping to change the tourists focus from party
goers to young families. The municipalities investment in Grand Bend through the
beach house and upgrades to the strip have improved the area, but the traffic flow
needs improved.
The traffic congestion is a concern and the Chamber hosted a workshop on traffic and
congestion The largest problem is the bottleneck at the bridge. There is a report on the
traffic requesting dialogue with the MTO manager and better signage. The town is full
and parking lots are full.
Mr. Baillie is wondering if there is an opportunity of marketing all the lake areas. Grand
Bend is growing due to people selling real estate in Toronto and buying in this area. Mr.
Baillie suggests that more off season business is needed. He stated that many people
feel that Grand Bend is full in the summer, but he is not sure. The Chamber’s focus is
to attract customers all year.
Mr. Baillie suggested that the price of commercial property is an indicator of what the
economic opportunities are.
Mr. Justin Speake questioned if there is research to verify that the recent beach
improvements have altered the income for businesses and the village as well.
A vendor commented that the locals complain that they don’t want to pay for parking
while tourist pay compliments, saying they adore what has been done.
4.5 Glen VanValkenburg – Forest Business Improvement Area (B.I.A.)
President of the B.I.A. explained that it is legislated by the government of Ontario and
funded by a levy from $100 to $1000 charged to each business. Its mandate is to
beautify and promote. Established in 1977, there have been many upgrades to make
downtown more attractive. To promote the business area, there are ads placed on
radio, Coffee Time News. Some activities to promote the area and increase business
include sidewalk sales(replaced by Tremendous Tuesday), town wide garage sales,
Easter in the Park, tree lighting ceremony in December, Moonlight Madness, Scrooge
Walk, Heritage Walk, a car parade, and promoting Canada Day and Kiwanis Christmas
Parade. The B.I.A. is the economic engine and keeps active and accomplishes a lot
and keeps downtown vibrant.
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