The Ontario government is putting $319,423 into the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC) to assist the City of Thunder Bay in enhancing the Terry Fox Monument and Visitor Centre. This investment is part of the government’s strategy to safeguard Ontario while also preserving a significant landmark, improving the visitor experience, and boosting local businesses and tourism in Northwestern Ontario.
“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.”
After being diagnosed with bone cancer in his leg in 1977, Terry Fox decided to run across Canada to raise money for cancer research. The Marathon of Hope took place in 1980, and Terry ran an average of 42 kilometres a day for 143 days. In September 1980, Terry had to end his run in Thunder Bay.
Today, the Terry Fox Monument and Visitor Centre welcomes more than 100,000 visitors each year from all over Canada and beyond, with over 50,000 entering the visitor centre itself. Thanks to NOHFC funding, Thunder Bay will rehabilitate the visitor centre roof, upgrade walkways, trails, landscaping, and purchase new items like water filling stations, outdoor picnic tables, and benches. The city will also implement new technologies such as screens, tablets and stands for interactive displays while undertaking restoration work on the 30-year-old Terry Fox monument.
“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.”
These enhancements will extend the lifespan of both the visitor centre and its grounds by improving accessibility and safety while enriching overall visitor experiences. By expanding year-round tourism opportunities, it’ll boost Thunder Bay’s role as a gateway to this region-encouraging visitors to stay longer while exploring local accommodations, attractions, restaurants, and shops.
“This investment helps preserve one of Canada’s most iconic landmarks and keeps Terry Fox’s legacy inspiring visitors from around the world,” said Kevin Holland, MPP for Thunder Bay-Atikokan. “By revitalizing the visitor centre, monument, and surrounding grounds, we are improving accessibility, enrichingthe visitor experience, and supporting tourism in Thunder Bayand across Northwestern Ontario. Terry Fox broughthope to Canadiansat atimewhenit wasdeeplyneeded, and I’mproud ourgovernmentis helping restorethis site, sothathisstorycontinuesinspiringpeopleforgenerations toc ome.”
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