An update to the reopening of Martyr’s Shrine on May 7 provided new information to Tiny council at a recent committee of the whole meeting.
“In our continued efforts in truth and reconciliation,” announced Shrine director Father Michael Knox, “we’ve decided that we’ll institute a permanent policy of all First Nations and Métis peoples have free access to the Shrine, from our opening day on May 7 in perpetuum.”
Additionally, Knox told Tiny council that gate fees would be increasing as a result of COVID-19.
The Martyr’s Shrine tourist destination located east of Midland on Highway 12 has been closed for two years since the first outbreak of COVID-19.
“Our goal is to open,” said Knox, “and we will be opening in some form this year depending on where we are in the plan put out by the provincial government. Our hope is full opening, but we have contingency plans in place this year, and that’s a noted difference from previous years.
“In previous years, it was either go or no-go, full stop.
“Moving forward this year, we’ll have a plan B and plan C that would allow varying numbers of people to be on the site according to what’s permissible,” stated Knox of provincial and health mandates.
Knox also noted that enough resources were acquired to fix the church and gift shop roofs, and pay for new signage.
“Thanks to the generosity of many, many people – not only financial, but with their letters of prayer and letters of support – a very small team of approximately three people were able to maintain the property over these last couple of years, which as you know is over 300 acres, includes a forest, has 36 gardens, over 20 buildings, and so on,” Knox told council.
Council thanked Father Knox for the deputation, with Deputy Mayor Steffen Walma offering praise to the director and the site.
“You’re a valuable member of the community and a valuable asset to the community,” said Walma, “so we’re very happy to hear that you guys are starting your reopening plan and we hope to hear more reopening plans from other community members in the near future.”
Father Knox had previously spoken to Midland council regarding additional reopening information for May 7.
Further information on the Martyr's Shrine is available at https://martyrs-shrine.com
Archives of council meetings are available to view on Tiny Township’s YouTube channel.
