610 CKTB NEWS
The Niagara Parks Commission is ready to meet with Nik Wallenda again.
Ontario Tourism Minister Michael Chan met with the wirewalker last week & suggested Wallenda make a second pitch to the Commission.
In November, Wallenda made a 10-minute presentation to the board on his plan to inch along a tightrope above Niagara Falls. The board asked no questions.
They turned down Wallenda’s proposal, citing the Parks’ anti-stunting rule. Minister Chan told Wallenda he doesn’t have the power to overturn that decision.
Chair of the Niagara Parks Commission Janice Thomson tells 610 CKTB’s Tim Denis the Minister called her Friday, suggesting a second meeting with Wallenda.
Thomson says no date has been set, but she expects to hear a longer presentation from Wallenda in the “the next few weeks”.
The Chair says the second meeting will allow the Parks Commission to dig into the plan a little more, including its projected economic benefit.
A Toronto research firm predicted a wirewalk over the Horseshoe Falls would draw 500-million viewers worldwide & mean a long term economic payoff to the Niagara region of $120-million.
Nik Wallenda had been prepared to walk over the American Falls if the Parks stick by their initial decision. But New York State Parks say that’s not what they agreed to & won’t allow it.
