All of Gravenhurst, including Muskoka Wharf can benefit from some media exposure. In fact, all of Muskoka would likely tag along gladly.

That is why it’s a little concerning that a committee, not council, opted out of hosting a Pro-Am fishing tournament in a Canadian bass fishing circuit presented by Insight Sports and the World Fishing Network (WFN). The event involves not only bringing anglers from places far and wide to Muskoka to participate, but includes a significant amount of publicity on national television and other media.

But no, economic development officer Lance Sherk, after meeting with the partners of Muskoka Wharf and the town’s events committee, decided the wharf is not ready for such a three-day event, saying that the Marriott hotel, which as we all remember is being backed by Evanco, would not be completed in time. The wharf would simply not be putting its best foot forward.

Of course we suspect that Evanco wouldn’t want the event to go forward if it couldn’t capitalize on it because the hotel is not complete, but what about the other partners at the wharf, and other businesses in town?

Already Gravenhurst and the wharf have hosted a few fishing tournaments, but they turn away one that will actually give them quite a bit of national publicity, all because they are scared that a few photos of a project under construction will hurt the image of Muskoka Wharf.

Are you serious?

While Sherk says the stated benefits of this event are questionable, no one can argue that having over 100 anglers and even more spectators in town for more than three days, and in September no less, would certainly be positive for Gravenhurst.

The spinoffs from such an event would be huge. How many anglers who compete would want to return to Gravenhurst and Muskoka to fish and experience everything else the area has to offer, possibly even returning to the wharf? How many anglers would bring their families with them to enjoy the area? Most likely all of them would require at least one meal during their stay, a bed to sleep in, gas for their boats and vehicles, as well as a number of other items.

If fronting the $18,000 required to host the event is not a big deal, so says Sherk, then what’s to fear? Certainly $18,000 is a better bang for the taxpayers’ buck than spending $10,000 on the special events that ran at the waterfront last season. How much national exposure did Gravenhurst get from Ribfest or Spirit Festival.

Unfortunately, there is nothing that can be done about Sherk’s decision, and council’s lack of input, because the tournament is now going to Midland for 2008. We can only hope that in 2009, the tournament organizers will remember that Gravenhurst should be ready by then to reel in some much-needed publicity.

KF