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Home My WebLink AboutTimes-Advocate, 1996-04-03, Page 5• Filson & Robson FULLY LICENSED & BONDED, CALL OR FAX (519) 666-0833 3 Auctioneers for the Price of 1 With modern equipment Pickup and sell complete or partial estates Specializing In Farm, Real Estate and General Sales IlltlaklaadlainindlatIludil Times -Advocate, April 3, 1996 Page 5 Students present Lucan business plan Tourism and commercial development are recommended as key to long-term survival By Brenda Burke T -A Reporter LUCAN - "The long-term sur- vival of the Village of Lucan is at risk," reads the executive summary of a recent strategic plan by five University of Western Ontario MBA students. "While this problem is not unique to Lucan, it trust be addressed quickly in order to prevent further deterioration and ensure the future economic viability of the village." the plan continues. The six-month study, presented on March 21 at the Lucan Fire Hall, focuses on active tourism and com- mercial development for the com- munity. It points out Lucan lacks plans. for development of commercial property as well as a strategy to bring new business to the com- munity. Also, the area has high commercial rents, a deteriorating downtown core and merchants that require upgraded business skills. As well, council and the Lucan and Area Business Association are not only limited by financial and hu- man resource constraints, they also lack coordination between each other. The project was completed, as a course requirement for students of the Western Business School. Their methodology included conducting surveys and interviewing council and BA members as well as local merchants and residents. In- formation was also collected from economic studies, newspapers, BA meeting minutes and municipal re- ports. The students attempted to pro- vide council and the BA with a strategic framework to help make economic decisions for the com- munity as well as improve the ef- fectiveness of these organizations. It was recommended Lucan es- tablish a Community Economic De- velopment Committee (CEDC) to lead a bottom-up planning process that would involve input from the entire community by examining the village's strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT). T110, gtatnnnittee would contain a maximum of eight members in- cluding service club participants, residents and representatives of council as well as the BA. Econom- ic development would depend on the cooperation of all stakeholders involved. The 42 -member BA, founded by Pat Van Geleuken in January, 1995, was informed it, along with local merchants, must act as a cat- alyst for improvement. To make the BA more effective, the study sug- gests the organization elect key ex- ternal representatives, such as members of council. As well, it should extend the role of vice - chairperson to include membership expansion. It was also rec- ommended time and funds be spent on projects and activities that di- r'+ectly benefit its members. According to the plan, residents must participate, council must pro- vide leadership and the Lucan and Area Heritage Association, founded by Mike Anderson in the spring of 1995, must remain a valuable re- source. In addition to the private sector taking responsibility for building and storefront main- tenance, local media would be en- couraged to provide continuous coverage as well as space for public feedback. "The laical media can help build a dialogue," explained group member Ted Lachmansingh. As well as tourism and com- mercial development, advise the students, amalgamation with Bid- dulph Township would benefit Lu - can's economic development. "Realistically, both communities share the sarne concerns and ob- jectives," explained group member Voula Karidis. "Each town would be able to retain its identity." Strengths the town can draw on, as indicated by the report, include its location, rich history, growing population, range of key services and facilities and strong sense of community spirit, which according to Lachmansingh is "quite striking when the population is so small." However, there is concern res- idents already committed to pro- jects may, be'stretched to the limit ' and despite healthy community in- volvement, the students claim Lu - can does not take an active role in attracting tourism, aside from the fall Craft Fair. Situated 30 km north of London in a primarily agricultural and rural residential area, the village ex- periences some heavy traffic flow. At peak times during May to Oc- tober, up to 6,000 cars pass through each day. The challenge is to attract these passers by. "Lucan must offer something unique that will allow it to di'- ferentiate itself from the competi- tion," indicates the report. Lucan's unique history would present one measure, especially by capitalizing on its Donnelly history, which has gained interest world- wide. "There is still some resistance in the community to the idea (of) tour- ism," the study reports, "but this opposition seems to be shifting as residents realize the benefits that tourism could bring to their com- munity." BA member Mike Anderson, also chair of the Lucan and Area Her- itage Committee, acknowledged outsiders appear to be very inter- ested in Lucan's history white res- idents tend to resist it. "Lucan has a very rich cultural and historical heritage," said Lach- mansingh, adding it also has a wealth of local knowledge. Although the students consider the Donnelly tour "very interesting and very worthwhile," they feel it could be improved in areas of ad- vertising, location, presentation and insurance. Also, other village his- tory should be made marketable. "Lucan's history is a lot more broad than that one Donnelly sto- ry," said Karidis. The report suggests the establish- ment of a permanent museum in a central location with an emphasis on all of the area's history. "Funding, of course, is the main constraint of the museum right now," said Karidis, suggesting "a community -wide call for artifacts." To encourage tourism, Lucan is also advised to establish a perma- Reel Time held its grand opening on Saturday aftemoon. From left, Judy Thomson, assist- ant manager, Hayley Snell, clerk, Sarah Burford, clerk, Deb Sadler, manager, Mayor Ben Hoogenboom, Paul Feig, owner, Mary Ryan Allen, clerk, Lindsay McKay, clerk, and Cam Sad- ler, clerk. Absent is owner Charles Dick. nent tourist information centre, or at least set up a centre for its 125th anniversary celebrations. "When people arrive in Lucan, there is no place where they can go to receive information about the area," states the report. Karidis pointed out larger, more visible signs placed at the mu- nicipal perimeter would "make the (village) a little more friendly for outsiders." The students noticed Lucan's welcome signs and walking tour pamphlets lack visual appeal and suggested upcoming events be ad- vertised by using temporary signs. They said Lucan should hold a summer Irish theme weekend in an effort to follow the trend of the country's summer festivals. As well, the village is encouraged to develop a partnership with a town in Ireland in order to boost its her- itage. Extending business hours during the peak time of May to October would also encourage tourism as would additional parking and coun- cil by-laws enforcing building ap- pearance standards. As well, sourc- es of free advertising could be taken advantage of to promote local events and activities. "We have to keep these people in town," said Karidis adding, "The parking on the main street is very limited." Despite its small size, the stu- dents noticed the village maintains a wide range of key services and fa- cilities including schools, a library with the busiest circulation in the county, (which, they agree, should he relocated to a larger space), and a widely used arena. However, they continued, al- though essential services such as gas and groceries are available within the village, residents have expressed a need for a general pur- pose retailer, a clothing store and a spew hardware store. The group also mentioned the fact big box stores in London prove a serious threat to sales of local businesses. According to the report, Lucan's population of; I',1950, consisting' of abdut 641 hbtiseholds, is expected to teach 2,924 by the year 2002. There is a shortage of available de- velopment property in the village, with most property being purchased by residential developers. Two new subdivisions under construction will add 72 homes. In their study results, the students pose the question of whether or not Lucan's existing shops and services will be able to accommodate new residents based on the fact employ- ment opportunities in Lucan are limited, with most village residents employed in London. Perhaps, the project indicates, Lucan should become a bedroom Cancer can be beaten. Please give generously. igirriffir community of London by in- creasing its retirement dwellings. "We really approached this pro- ject...with a fresh perspective," con- cluded Karidis. "It's up to the com- munity to pick and choose." After commending the students on a job well done, resident Bob Benner replied, "Elements of what you've proposed have been pro- posed independently...What you did point out is all those groups have to cooperate...We don't have a problem with this town not car- ing...Sometimes we care too much." 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