A new seasonal kiosk on Queen Street is helping the Niagara-on-the-Lake Ambassadors better connect with people and promote what NOTL has to offer its visitors.
The NOTL Ambassadors, now in its fifth season, launched this year’s program on May 16 with a new kiosk and 30 new members, bringing the total to 102 volunteers.
A ribbon-cutting for the kiosk, and the reopening of the old Court House on Queen Street, was held the day of the launch.
“It’s now officially open,” said Laurie Harley, co-lead of the NOTL Ambassadors, adding that the lord mayor cut the ribbon.
Located beside the Court House, the street-level kiosk is a visible space where ambassadors will welcome and inform visitors and residents about what’s going on in town and hand out brochures, guides, menu books and maps.
It has larger maps mounted on its sides for when ambassadors aren’t present.
“It’s an opportunity to come and spend some time and chat with us ambassadors and to find out what’s going on throughout the day,” said ambassador Laura Sadak.
The idea for the kiosk began more than two years ago with the NOTL Ambassadors and came to life with the help of community support, Harley said.
The kiosk is a “tribute to the volunteer force we have in this town,” she said, and the people who give their time “make things happen.”
“It’s a testament to them,” said Harley.
Ambassadors in blue vests will be at the kiosk and walking around Old Town on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and holiday Mondays from Victoria Day weekend to Thanksgiving.
During a typical shift, which is 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. or 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., a group of two ambassadors will stay at the kiosk to help visitors and residents with questions, like where to park, how to get to the lake or where to get a bite to eat.
Three ambassadors will be stationed inside the Court House — one outside, two inside. Another group of two will walk around Old Town with pamphlets, saying hi and offering help.
The kiosk allows visitors to ask questions and get personalized recommendations to help them make the most of their time in town.
Harley said residents are also often pleasantly surprised when ambassadors tell them about offerings in town they hadn’t heard about prior.
When tourists share where they’re from, what they enjoy, concerns and other feedback, it’s valuable information for ambassadors to pass along, Harley said — the town uses it to improve planning and better serve future visitors.
The kiosk has doors that swing out and display maps and materials — the Stay NOTL tourist guide map is the ambassadors’ most popular handout, Harley said.
Ambassador Linda Hicks said a typical question from people is “Where is the bathroom?”
“Wineries are a big thing too,” she said in an interview. Sadak added that people often ask about good places to eat, what to see and how to best spend time too.
The kiosk was built by graduating students from Niagara College’s School of Trades, said Harley.
“We made the attempt to make everything local and everybody came through for us,” Harley said.
The kiosk was inspired by a sentry box that was there in 2012 to commemorate the Battle of 1812. Sadak said it’s the only one of its kind in town.
