Special Shania shrine on drawing board

Shania Twains homecoming concert today will undoubtedly provide lasting memories for her hometown fans. Once the show is over, however, Twain will likely leave the city with more than just fond memories of her show.

She will be leaving personal mementos for a proposed interpretive centre to be developed at the Timmins Underground GoldMine Tour site.

Timmins Mayor Vic Power said Wednesday he has reason to be confident, after speaking with officials from Northern Development Heritage Fund, provincial funding for the project will be approved.

Power told a group gathered at a pre-concert reception at the Timmins Museum that he hoped to receive confirmation by the end of the summer though its believed the city could receive approval as early as months end.  The $10-million project would include an upgrading of the mine site with new underground and above-ground attractions. The new features would include a hall of fame recognizing Timmins residents who made it big in sports, the science and medical field and other areas of achievement, gaining international recognition.

The city has applied for $5 million from the province and the intent for the city is to raise most of the remaining $5 million through the private sector.

The Shania Twain interpretive centre would be about 6,500 square feet and exhibit, among other things, early photos of the country/pop star, video footage and clothes shes worn on stage.

Meanwhile, 20,000 people are expected to turn out to Hollinger Park tonight to see Shania perform for the first time in Timmins since becoming a superstar.

Reprinted from The Timmins Daily Press, July 1, 1999.