For more than  30 years I have listened to the city and
to various tourism groups (some of which I have been part of)
talk about selling Sudbury as a tourism destination. I recall
the first talks resulted in the creation of Science North and
the improvements to the Big Nickel, but apart from those two
innovations, there has been precious little of any significance
arrive on the tourism scene.
At this point in time, there is an opportunity for the city
to really capitalize on the outdoor recreational opportunities
of this area, particularly right within the area of the Greater
City of Sudbury, close to hotels and restaurants plus Science
North, etc.
I am talking about the existing extensive hiking, skiing and
mountain biking trail system that links with the Laurentian
University trail system at the South End of the city, and which
eventually link with the conservation area abutting Moonlight
Beach. The land in question is for sale pending an option to
purchase by a developer.
If the city were to purchase this land, improve and market
the recreational resource as a major hiking, skiing and
mountain biking destination plus a wildlife reserve I believe
that Sudbury would greatly enhance its chances of becoming a
significant tourist destination.
In Scotland,  for instance, where mountain bike trails
have been introduced, tourism returns are in the millions of
pounds.
This is a chance for Sudbury  to obtain a major outdoor
recreational wilderness resource right within  the city, I
hope that this opportunity will not be missed should the plan
for development not take place.
Judith van Boxel
Sudbury