Sufficient tourism information
The Corporation de développement économique de Sutton has been extremely busy (summer 2007). And especially busy was its board of directors (all of whom are volunteers), for whom enough is never enough. At a meeting, every member was asked to take on a specific task related to one of the following priorities: marketing, finances, attractions/events, art/culture, communications and the burying of the wires project on Principale Street. Each member or group of members has a dossier to follow for the duration of their two-year term.
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Back row from left to right: Jean-Michel Ryan, Roger Gervais, Jessica Kinahan, André Forest ( president), Liane Bruneau (vice-pres), Michel Dallaire, Lynda Graham, Céline Charbonneau |
The committee concerned with the burial of the wires focused on constant communication with all the members and the general public to make sure everyone was fully aware of the work that was being done then and that is yet to come. To help accomplish this, municipal employees André Doyon and Oliver Poliquin meet with the BAT employees and committee members at the tourist office each Friday at 11:30 am. Relevant information was then passed on by e-mail to everyone on Principale Street, shared with citizens who call or drop in, and provided to the Information Guides. These guides were positioned on Principale Street during the weekend to answer questions from drivers and pedestrians pertaining to street directions or how to access specific locations. The guides were not in place to direct traffic, although that did happen, but rather to ensure that visitors enjoyed their stay in Sutton and talked to others about how well we were coping with the road works.
The Corpo has welcomed the arrival of the “Chemin des Cantons” (the “Township Trails”) in Sutton, making the town an important stop on the new 415 km itinerary that winds its way through the Eastern Townships, linking sites of historic interest and natural beauty. The concept includes a boxed set of three CDs and a map ($20 plus tax) that guides passengers along the trail and provides stories, music, and information. The English version of the CD set will only be available in 2008, but English maps are already available at the Tourist Office at a cost of $3 (taxes included). The Townships Trail ends near Mégantic where it then turns into the “Chemin des Sommets”. For more information see www.chemindescantons.qc.ca.
Sutton’s local historical tours have also been revamped with 26 information panels and repaired pedestals to go hand-in-hand with the re-opening of the Sutton Historical Society and its museum.
A list of events and attractions is available for your convenience. Drop by the office to obtain this information or e-mail the tourist office at tourisme@sutton.ca and ask that it be sent to you.
The Tourist Office is open (2007) from 8:30am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, and from 9am to 5pm, Saturdays and Sundays.
Melanie Davidson