The town of Athabasca now has a dedicated community development and tourism representative in Kathy Wright, after the County of Athabasca decided to pull out of the jointly funded Athabasca Country Tourism.
The decision to end funding, made by county councillors at a meeting in December, means both municipalities will move forward with their own tourism operations, ending the long-time Athabasca Country Tourism partnership between them.
The town jumped on the opportunity to bring in the experience of Kathy Wright, who officially began her community development and tourism position on Monday. Wright spent over a year with Athabasca Country Tourism as its tourism coordinator.
The town’s Chief Administrative Officer, Doug Topinka, said that the town made the decision to create the new position in December, and that the day-to-day responsibilities of the position will be worked out in the coming weeks.
“We’re working out details as to what exactly we’d like the position to look like,” he said.
He said the development portion of the position would look at improving all aspects of the community.
The county made similar moves after the decision to cut ties with the joint operation.
County councillor Jack Dowhaluk, who sat on the now-defunct Athabasca Country Tourism board, explained that the county’s decision was aimed at highlighting some of the other communities in the region.
“County council has decided that it would be more practical and feasible to operate the tourism department on it's own,” he said. “Promoting tourism in the county will help every community here.”
He said that the efforts of the joint-operation had focused on the town, understandably so given its large population compared to the rural areas.
Moving forward, the county has budgeted $184,605 for the creation of a combined economic development and tourism committee, alongside continued support for the Alberta Energy Corridor (AEC). Last year, the county pledged $60,000 to AEC.
Dowhaluk said the county would be moving quickly in the New Year to establish the new committee, and the details of what their efforts will entail will be decided on there.
