Niagara-on-the-Lake’s ambassadors are looking forward to this year’s summer season after a highly successful 2024.

During an update at Tuesday night’s committee of the whole meeting, Laurie Harley and Vlad Haltigin outlined this year’s plan to councillors, including the new addition of a seasonal kiosk.

Located outside the old courthouse on Queen Street, the kiosk is more than two years in the making and serves as a welcome centre to greet visitors and residents.

Haltigin described how the kiosk was constructed by the school of trades at Niagara College and is complementary to the heritage buildings in Old Town.

“We’ve listened very, very carefully,” he said.

The kiosk’s construction became a community effort, with materials sourced from Penner’s and Creek Road Paints.

Along with the updates, Harley provided councillors with feedback from visitors and residents about the ambassador program.

People from various countries come to visit Niagara-on-the-Lake and share what they love with the ambassadors, Harley said.

She shared her favourite story, told by an ambassador who struck up a conversation with a couple while on vacation.

“They said, ‘We were just in Canada — we were in Toronto, but we hated it,’” Harley said. “They said, ‘We went to Niagara-on-the-Lake and we met these wonderful ambassadors.’”

Along with the positive feedback, Harley also outlined complaints received throughout the year about visitor parking, washroom availability, and locations to exchange currencies.

“To be honest, they’re all infrastructure areas,” she said.

But with the growth of the ambassador program, more opportunities are opening up, Harley said.

The ambassadors have introduced an official handbook for new volunteers and a skills inventory to match individuals’ strengths with specific tasks and activities.

During a question session with councillors, Coun. Adriana Vizzari suggested the idea of junior ambassadors, seeking help from students and young people who wish to get involved.

Harley said the ambassadors have tried to utilize students, but many cannot get into Old Town.

“Transportation is a real issue,” she said.

Harley acknowledged the importance of getting young ambassadors to engage with young tourists.

Vizzari said high school students hoping to fulfill volunteer hours may be a good option, since they would have access to school buses.