Over the years Ladysmith’s Chamber of Commerce has had various locations to call home.
From its initial location (when it was referred to as the Board of Trade) at 30 Roberts St. to its present location, which is right across the street at 33 Roberts St., it's seen change.
The Chamber office is also home to the Ladysmith Tourist Information Centre and serves as a focal point for Ladysmith’s economic focus.
Being on the downward slope of the street and in a basement type of atmosphere isn’t readily visible and at times it can be forgotten.
“A goal of ours,” said Roberta Bowman, executive director, “is to get a location that suits the community, one that is visible, accessible and shows off the town in it’s proper light.”
Last year the local chamber had applied for a Rural Economic Development grant to help in the refurbishment of the E&N train station on the east side of the highway. The chamber has had an interest in getting into the station and have been working with the Island Corridor Foundation, who are the owners of the old station.
"Unfortunately, we were unsuccessful with the grant," Bowman said. "The main reason was because we did not own it. So the province felt it was a liability or a risk to them to to give us the amount of money that we asked for. We went back to Island Corridor and explained this to them, asking them if we could enter into a new MOU because the existing one had expired last March. A new MOU allowing us to have 20 to 25 years with the building, but they could not do that, but what they came forward with instead is that they would submit the application under their name, but partnering with an organization and they partnered with us. That shows a lot of longevity and respect and support.”
“We are hoping to hear back sometime in March, so our fingers are crossed," Bowman said. "If we’re successful then we can start working towards having Chamber and Tourist Info highly visible by highway and onsite and being part of the waterfront development. The new centre itself will attract attention to everything else happening down there.”
"With the train station already being in existence we’re going green. We’re not having to redevelop any sites, we’re not having to build foundations or structures so we’re not creating any new footprints.” Bowman said. “I feel very strongly and encouraged by that aspect and there is a lot more space there too. We’ll be able to create an atmosphere that will really reference Ladysmith and our history, which I think is so important.”
