In the fading light, a few hours before Christmas, The Fence went up.

The barrier was expected. But not the messages. The branding. The slogans. “We build differently,” it said beside the name of the builder, the architect, the consultants and, of course, the Shaw. In short order, Victoria Street looked like another condo alley in the Big Smoke, a mall wall in suburbia or Brampton’s latest industrial park.

But this was Old Town, where the reality of a major big-box construction project has become instantly apparent.

“Out of simple respect for our traditional and historic area,” said Sue Chapman, whose home backs on the site of the Royal George project, “delaying this blatant barrier until after Christmas day would have been more appropriate.”

Across the street, Maria Vaneva watched in disdain.

“We’re trying very hard not to be upset and spoil the joyous moments of the holiday season with this totally wrong project,” she told me. “My heartfelt comments are that what is planned to happen will forever change the beauty and character of this town that we love so much and it is already visible … with the ugly advertising fence! So very disappointing from such a ‘reputable’ organization as the mighty Shaw Festival. It is very sad that destruction of the paradise is allowed to proceed…”

Soon the historic buildings behind the chain-link — some dating to the 1880s — will be razed. The excavators will move in. Then the erection of a 55,000-square foot complex with a six-storey height and loading docks where gables now exist as the Shaw Festival pushes ahead with a massive new build that no private sector developer would ever be allowed.

Council caved. Every single heritage rule and restriction will be broken by this project. But just before the holidays came clarity on why this destruction and refacing of NOTL’s signature street is being allowed.

The province’s Destination Niagara strategy aims to double the tourist traffic around us “by unlocking the full potential of the Niagara region as a world-renowned tourism destination.” The Shaw’s planned Royal George mega-theatre is a key part of that, with Ontario’s $35 million contribution a highlight of the strategy.

If you build it, they will come.

But wait. Are we ready? Do we know what lies in store?

The burgeoning local residents’ association is wary — and worried — even though the new casinos, zip lines and theme parks will be concentrated down at the Falls. They may get most of the action, says NOTLRA czar Stuart MacCormark, but we’ll see the tax increase.

“This puts extra pressure on the infrastructure that already exists,” he says. “And who’s going to pay? Niagara Falls gets all that casino money and not a dime goes to the region. Who pays for the roads as more tourists drive here? Who’s going to deal with the increased traffic that comes through town? Where’s the benefit to us?”

Besides the swelling Shaw, could this mean a casino here? Maybe at the Pillar and Post?

“I have no idea,” McCormark says. “But one thing we have got to deal with is over-tourism, which does not improve the quality of this town. We don’t need another food shop.”

“We need to take care of the people that are here, who are paying for those roads tourists drive on, for their subsidized parking and more. Yes, we want people to come here. But when you flood a town, you end up in a situation where residents are bearing the cost, and the services change dramatically. You know, there actually used to be a barber here. Not just ice cream.”

By the way, big winds came and blew the Shaw’s ugly barrier down two days after it went up.

“Mother Nature is also mad at the Shaw!” Maria Vanea messaged me. “The fence has fallen!”

Then the Shaw trucks arrived. Orange sandbags appeared. Back up she went. The show must go on.

Garth Turner is a NOTL resident, journalist, author, wealth manager and former federal MP and minister. garth@garth.ca