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Tourism members vote to dissolve society

Tourism Nanaimo Society has begun the process of shutting its doors for good.

Tourism Nanaimo Society has started shutting its doors for good.

With the formation of Nanaimo’s new Economic Development Corporation, Tourism Nanaimo is losing its $310,000 city funding Dec. 31.

The organization’s members agreed at Thursday’s annual general meeting to discontinue operations by the end of the year and dissolve the society by April 30.

Mark Drysdale, executive director of Tourism Nanaimo, said a big reason for the motion was the results of a survey sent to the membership last spring.

“The survey asked the members what they thought of the city’s decision and should we remain and independent organization carrying out some role without city funding,” said Drysdale. “One telling sign was we didn’t get much response at all. And what response we did get was 50 per cent for continuing on and the 50 said no, we should wrap up and move the programs and services and assets over to the city.”

Noting the lack of support, the motion passed and tourism services will be passed over to the Economic Development Corporation.

All seven employees at Tourism were given notice, with two already finding new jobs and the remaining five still looking.

“The rest of us have our ears to the ground because there has been no assurances we would be moving into that new structure,” said Drysdale.

Tourism Nanaimo services will continue until the end of November and possibly the end of December.

“We’re not quite sure how long we’ll be operating,” said Drysdale. “It’s partly budget and partly what makes sense for the transition.”