Orillia looking into becoming more food truck friendly

For immediate release (May 15, 2015) – The City of Orillia is looking for public input on a proposed pilot project to allow mobile food trucks to operate near the City's waterfront this summer. 

“Council continues to look for ways to support small business owners, and the local tourism industry and this initiative could very well support both,” said Mayor Steve Clarke. “We’re engaging the community to seek their perspective on what could be a new culinary attraction at our waterfront.” 

On February 9, City Council directed staff to investigate how catering trucks operate in other municipalities and to make recommendations around how Orillia might become more food truck friendly. 

As a trial, the City is proposing space along the CPR right-of-way along Centennial Drive for seven mobile vendors to operate on weekends from April to October. Business licences for this trial period would be issued on a first-come, first-serve basis at a very reasonable rate, to encourage food trucks to congregate in the area to provide a trendy food experience to visitors near the waterfront.

Vendors would also have the opportunity to enter into a seasonal lease and be permitted to operate all season long. 

“I’m really excited about this initiative,” said Councillor Sarah Valiquette-Thompson. "As a BIA member, I feel having variety in our downtown will only draw and attract more residents and visitors”. 

Valiquette-Thompson noted the pilot project would be a good way for young entrepreneurs to set up a small business while limiting overhead costs. 

Members of the public are being encouraged to provide feedback on the idea by filling out a short online survey at orillia.ca/FoodTruckFuture before May 22, 2015. 

The City of Orillia is a city of 31,000 people in the heart of Ontario’s Lake Country on the shores of Lake Couchiching and Lake Simcoe. 

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 Shawn Crawford
Manager of Legislative Services
705-329-7234
scrawford@orillia.ca
 
Laura Thompson
Manager of Communications
705-325-8929
705-826-4399 (cell)
lthompson@orillia.ca