April Jeffs takes helm of Niagara Parks Commission board

Earlier than she was a mayor, earlier than she was a marriage photographer, April Jeffs knew tourism.

It was at Niagara Faculty’s Niagara Falls campus that she studied tourism and grew accustomed to the native business.

A long time later it has come full circle — on Friday, she was appointed the brand new chair of Niagara Parks Fee, one of the prestigious posts in Ontario tourism.

Jeffs replaces her good friend Sandie Bellows, who died of most cancers in October after two years as Niagara Parks chair. Jeffs served as vice-chair underneath her and was requested by Bellows to fill her function throughout her previous couple of months.

Jeffs mentioned it’s a “bittersweet” second for her to switch the favored Bellows.

“It’s been simply over 4 months since we misplaced Sandie and everyone’s nonetheless grieving from that,” she mentioned. “Nevertheless it was essential to have somebody take over the helm.

“I truly acquired a very nice textual content from Sandie’s eldest son yesterday. I’m actually wanting ahead to carrying on the function Sandie had on the Parks.”

Jeffs takes over the job on the finish of January, main the 12-person provincially-appointed Niagara Parks Fee.

Fee member and Niagara Falls Mayor Jim Diodati mentioned Jeffs was the perfect selection due to her enterprise and political expertise.

“Working along with her over time I've discovered her to be clever, type, open-minded and a consensus-builder,” he mentioned.

Throughout Bellows’ transient stint, Niagara Parks redeveloped Desk Rock Centre and accomplished a large transformation of the previous Canadian Niagara Energy Producing Station right into a vacationer attraction.

Now, Jeffs will oversee the repurposing of two different decommissioned producing stations over the following few years.

“It’s constructing on what’s already established,” she mentioned.

However the former Wainfleet mayor can be conscious what the job entails — loads of scrutiny. She realizes how essential parks fee land is to native residents and the way even the smallest adjustments can spark a backlash. In 2004, the fee was met with scathing suggestions to plans for a $23-million cable automobile trip within the Niagara Gorge. Two months after it was introduced, the undertaking was useless.

“It’s much like my function in municipal politics,” mentioned Jeffs. “It helps having that eager consciousness of how essential our function as cultural and environmental stewardship is for the Parks.

“I consider Dufferin Islands. I do know that’s very sacred to a whole lot of the residents. The gorge. Completely different websites in Fort Erie. I observe the suggestions.”

Jeffs was appointed by Lisa MacLeod, Ontario minister of heritage, sports activities, tourism and tradition, who mentioned her expertise will likely be “invaluable” for one of many nation’s “biggest customer locations.”