Investment aims to improve visitor experience, maintain a national icon, and boost tourism in Northwestern Ontario
THUNDER BAY, Ont. – The Ontario government is putting $319,423 into the revitalization of the Terry Fox Monument and Visitor Centre in Thunder Bay, which honors one of Canada’s most powerful symbols of bravery, determination, and hope. This funding will help make several improvements to the visitor centre, its grounds, and the monument itself. The goal is to preserve the site while enhancing accessibility, safety, and the overall experience for visitors. Provincial officials say this initiative fits with Ontario’s larger strategy to bolster tourism assets, assist local businesses, and safeguard vital parts of Canadian history. “Terry Fox is a Canadian hero whose Marathon of Hope impacted the lives of millions of people in Canada and around the world,” said Premier Doug Ford. “Our government is proud to honour his memory by supporting the upgrade of the Terry Fox Monument and Visitor Centre so his legacy can continue to inspire those living with cancer and give hope to his dream of finding a cure.”Visitor Centre Upgrades on the Horizon
The City of Thunder Bay will use these funds to repair the visitor centre’s roof, improve walkways and trails, enhance landscaping, and purchase new amenities like water-filling stations as well as outdoor picnic tables and benches. The project will also bring in new technology aimed at boosting visitor engagement through interactive displays with screens, tablets, and display stands. Additionally, restoration work will be done on the Terry Fox monument that has stood there for about 30 years. The monument signifies where Fox had to stop his Marathon of Hope in September 1980 after cancer returned. After being diagnosed with bone cancer in 1977, he started his cross-country fundraising run in 1980; he managed an average of 42 kilometres per day for 143 straight days before halting in Thunder Bay. Currently, more than 100,000 visitors come each year to see the Terry Fox Monument and Visitor Centre-over 50,000 even go inside the visitor centre itself. “Our government is proud to support improvements that will help revitalize a nationally recognized monument ensuring it remains a must-see destination in the Northwest,” said George Pirie, Minister of Northern Economic Development and Growth. “This investment will help protect an important piece of Canadian history and reinforce the legacy of Terry Fox as a symbol of national inspiration.”Anticipated Tourism Boosts
Provincial officials believe these enhancements are set to strengthen Thunder Bay’s role as a tourism gateway for Northwestern Ontario. By improving year-round experiences for visitors, this project hopes to encourage tourists to stay longer in the area-benefiting accommodations, restaurants, attractions , and retailers alike. Kevin Holland , MPP for Thunder Bay-Atikokan , mentioned that this investment would provide both cultural significance and economic benefits. “This investment helps preserve oneof Canada’s most iconic landmarksand keeps Terry Fox’slegacy inspiring visitors from aroundtheworld,”said Holland.“By revitalizingthevisitorcentre , monument, and surroundings, weareimprovingaccessibility , enhancingthevisitors’ experienceandsupportingtourismin Thunder Bayandacross Northwestern Ontario. Terry Foxbroughthope to Canadiansat atimewhenitwasdeeplyneeded, and I’mproudourgovernmentishelpingrestorethissite , sohisstorycontinuestoinspirepeopleforgenerations toc ome.” Stan Cho , Ministerof Tourism, Cultureand Gaming emphasizedthewiderimportanceofthelandmark.“Fewplacescapturedthe Canadianspirito f perseveranceandhopequite likethe Terry Fox Monumentand Visitor Centre. Thisinvestmentwillhelppreserveanimportantpartof Ontario ’shistorywhileenhancingtheexperienceforvisitorsfromacross Canadaandaroundtheworld, en couragingmorepeoplediscov er Thunder Bayand Northwestern Ontario.”Local Leaders Appreciate Support The announcement was also metwith enthusiasm bylocal leadersand membersofth e Foxfamilywho emphasizedthe necessityofupholdingthesiteforfuture generations.“The Terry Foxmemorialin Thunder Bayisaplaceofdeepsignificanceforourfamily. Everyyear , thousandsvisit th e Memorialto reflecton Terry ’sjourney, hisdeter minationandhisunwaveringbeliefina futurewithoutcancer. We aregratefulforthisinvestmentwhichwillhelppreserveandenhancethisspecialplace, en suringitremainsaccessibleandinspiringforallwhocomelearnabouthislegacyandan dtheenduringpowerofperseverance.”– The Fox FamilyThunder Bay Mayor Ken Boshcoff saidtheseimprovementsalignwitht hecity’slong-termgrowthstrategy. “The Terry Fox Monumentand Visitor Centreisoneofthemostmeaningfulandre cognizedlandmarksin Thunder Bay, w elcomingvisitorsfromaroundtheworldandreflecting Terry F ox ’senduring legacy. Thisinvestmentsupports City ’s Smart Growth Action Planby enhancingakeytourismdestination , improvingaccessibilityandreinvigorating theyear-roundvisitor experience, andstrengthening Thunder Bay’ sappealasaplacetovis it, liveandinvest. Wethank Provinceo f Ontarioandt henorthern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporationforhelpingpreservethisiconicsiteforf uturegenerations.”Jamie Taylor, C EOofthe Thunder Bay Community Economic Development Commission (CEDC), notedtheroleofthecentre connect ingvisitorswithloca lbusinessesandan d attractions.“The Terry Fox Visitor Centrewelcomestensofthousands o f visitorsfromaroundtheworldeachyearwith Thund er Bayasadestinationorastopalongtheirroute. Theyear-roundcentreis National Historic Site, a placetohonour T erry’slegacyandacriticalelementofthe Th un der Bay CEDC ’s Tourism Thun der Baytourismwayfindingprogram. In2025, thevisitorservices team connected vis itors with over$3.5millioninlocalregionalaccommodation, culinary, eventsand attract ion recommendations. Wethank NOHFCfort heircontributiontostrengthenthisimportanttourismassetin ourcommunity.”NOHFC Keeps Investing In Northern OntarioThis announcement adds tothe N OHFC’sexpandinginvestment portfolio across Northern Ontario. Since June2018, t hecorporationhas investedmorethan$1 billioninover8600projects, h elpingleverage morethan$3.3billioninadditionalinvestmentcreatingorsustainingmorethan13400jobs.Thisrevitalizationprojectcomesas Te rry Fox’slegacycontinuestoresonate across Canada. In2026, the Te rry Fox Foundation announcedithadsurpassed$1 billionraised forcancerresearchthroughfundraisingefforts inspiredby Fo x’s Marathonof Hope.
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