KINGSTON, ONT. / Feb. 27, 2012 - As part of the continuing work on the
Kingston Culture Plan, the City is holding a series of public meetings
to develop an Integrated Cultural Heritage Strategy and Cultural Tourism
Strategy.

"We have already facilitated a 'Your Opinion' survey asking residents to
offer their insights into and stories related to local history, and now
we want to offer the opportunity for an expanded public dialogue about
our shared heritage and how we can best highlight it to potential
visitors," says Colin Wiginton, Manager, Cultural Services.

On March 5 and 6, the community is invited to help shape these
strategies by participating in one of four public meetings to be held in
different locations around the City.  All four meetings will cover the
same content and each will start at 7 p.m.

Monday,  March 5
- 7 p.m. - Memorial Hall, City Hall, 216 Ontario St.
- 7 p.m. - INVISTA Centre, 1350 Gardiners Rd.

Tuesday,  March 6
- 7 p.m. - Rideau Heights Public School, 77 MacCauley St.
- 7 p.m. - Military Communications and Electronics Museum, 95 Craftsman
Blvd., Hwy 2 East

The public is also invited to participate in more informal 'Pop Up'
meetings to be held the afternoon of Monday, March 5 between 12 p.m. and
3 p.m. at The Grand Theatre, Public Walkway, 218 Princess St. and the
Cross Roads, Queen's Athletic and Recreation Complex, 284 Earl Street.

The purpose of these two, integrated strategies is to capitalize on the
City's many heritage assets and address potential challenges related to
our cultural tourism offerings.  In partnership with KEDCO, the City is
currently working with Lord Cultural Resources to develop:

* The Cultural Heritage Strategy that develops Kingston's powerful
historical narrative, built heritage and natural heritage features into
a broad-based strategy for telling Kingston's stories.

* A Cultural Tourism Strategy that leverages Kingston's heritage and
cultural assets, including the feasibility of a summer festival.

* Guidelines to provide the City of Kingston direction for support of
other national and international commemorative events in preparation for
a number of upcoming anniversaries.

For more information or to be included on our distribution list related
to the Integrated Cultural Heritage and Cultural Tourism Strategy,
please contact Colin Wiginton, Manager, Cultural Services at
<mailto:cwiginton@cityofkingston.ca> or (613) 546-4291 ext. 1357.  For
more on the Kingston Culture Plan see
<http://www.cityofkingston.ca/kcp>. The Heritage Stories Your Opinion
opportunity is again available on this page to take input from those who
would like to share their views on Kingston's important heritage
stories.

This project is made possible with the support of the Ontario Ministry
of Tourism and Culture Creative Communities Prosperity Fund.

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Media contact: For more information contact Cindie Ashton,
Communications Officer (613) 546-4291, extension 3116 (cell 329-3462).
Or call the City of Kingston's media hotline at 613-546-4291, ext 2300.