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Hi my name is Pamela Mae

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Pamela Mae started this discussion 13 years 10 months ago

I live in a small community in Northern Ontario. We are six hours north of Toronto on Highway 11. There is easy access by car, train or bus and anyone heading west out of ontario either has to go by our doorway or take one other option. So we have a 50% chance of them coming our way :P

I have recently been appointed President of the Non Profit Corporation that has been established to save our Old Red Schoolhouse. The Town of Englehart currently owns the building and does not want the responsibility or financial burden to upgrade it and has found it to be a drain on the coffers.

We know that there is money available for the capital expenses needed to upgrade the building ,and that it offers not only a link to our past but will provide us with a beautiful space to grow into our future. The building is over 14,000 square feet, so there is plenty of room to dream and grow.

One of the goals we have set is to have a Backpackers Inn/Youth Hostel on site. The nearest hostels are 5 hours south (Barry) or 12 hours north west (Thunder Bay). We are planning on providing workshops and classes that would also use this space.

My goal is to open the backpackers inn on May 1st but I am having trouble getting clear directions from the town on what the regulations are for this type of venture.
My understanding is they are set by the municipality. I'm sensing that they are afraid that we would be letting "undersireables" into our quiet little town.

Can anyone share their experiences for or against this arguement:
Do Backpacker Inns attract people who are more dangerous than other higher paying travellers?
Does anyone have stats on the demographics of who uses hostels (I know me and my family enjoy traveling this way as a much more exciting way to meet interesting people).

Any feedback and supporting documents would REALLY be appreciated.

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Anonymous (not verified)

13 years

Editors Note: This commenter has cancelled their account so the author shows as anonymous.

Hi Pamela Mae, Wow. Sounds like you have taken on quite a project. Since the building is 14,000 sf, do you intend to make it a multi-use facility? If so, depending on the primary use, the hostel could compliment the other uses. You mention classes and workshops. These uses draw interested, educated and active persons.They are not undesirable. Quite the contrary......My own personal experience is that I am in my 40's married with four children. We travel and prefer to stay in hostels. They are more community oriented, more fun for the kids and provide for meeting the most wonderful people. We are not "backpackers" and we use hostels regularly. I do not think that Backpackers Inns attract people who are more dangerous than other higher paying travelers. My experience is that those, for the most part, that stay in hostels tend to be more conscious of their surroundings and are polite, considerate and interesting. I wish I had the demographic study for you........ Peace

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