News Release

For Immediate Release

Government of Canada supports The Secrets of Radar Museum through the Tourism Relief Fund

The Secrets of Radar Museum receives nearly $38,000 from Ontario’s Southwest Regional Tourism Organization through FedDev Ontario to support future growth, increase public access to its collections, and attract visitors

November 8, 2022, London, Ontario

The tourism sector is vital to the economy and jobs in Ontario’s Southwest. The Secrets of Radar Museum is a distinct tourism destination that draws visitors from near and far. Not only does this relief fund allow us to move forward on major projects that preserve and present history within our region, the majority of our grant will be spent right here in southwestern Ontario with local vendors.

Today, The Secrets of Radar Museum received a non-repayable contribution of nearly $38,000 from Ontario’s Southwest Regional Tourism Organization to upgrade aging infrastructure to support public access. This is part of the Government of Canada’s Tourism Relief Fund, delivered by the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario). Ontario’s Southwest Regional Tourism Organization received nearly $11 million from FedDev Ontario to help local tourism organizations and businesses safely welcome back visitors, recover from the impacts of the pandemic and prepare for future growth.

This investment will help The Secrets of Radar Museum adapt and recover to attract new visitors and drive economic growth in London.

Quotes

“The Government of Canada’s $78-million investment through the Tourism Relief Fund is helping communities across southern Ontario. With this funding, southern Ontario’s Regional Tourism Organizations and Indigenous Tourism Ontario are providing hundreds of local businesses and organizations with the support they need to create jobs, attract more visitors and grow local economies, now and into the future.”

  • The Honourable Filomena Tassi, Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario

“This Government of Canada investment, through FedDev Ontario and Ontario’s Southwest Regional Tourism Organization ensures The Secrets of Radar Museum has updated displays and infrastructure that will allow us to better present and promote our story to the public. We’re proud to be able to support local businesses and keep Ontarians employed.”

  • Steve Bourdeau, President, The Secrets of Radar Museum

“Tourism innovators from across the region have demonstrated the abundance of creativity and opportunity for continued tourism growth within Ontario’s Southwest. Through the Tourism Relief Fund, we’re seeing infrastructure improvements, new experience development and destination management projects. These projects will extend more travel into the shoulder seasons, prioritize environmental sustainability and inclusivity, and are innovative and bold. We’re pleased to be working with FedDev Ontario to administer the Tourism Relief Fund in Ontario’s Southwest.”

  • Joanne Wolnik, Executive Director, Ontario’s Southwest Regional Tourism Organization

    Quick facts

    • The Secrets of Radar Museum was founded in 2002 and opened to the public in May, 2003

    • Exhibits that explore Canadian science, technology, and military history in the voices of the people who were there

    • A unique collection in Canada and the country’s only museum purely focused on radar history

    • Ontario’s Southwest Regional Tourism Organization works with 10 Destination Management Organizations (DMOs) and tourism industry stakeholders across the region to develop and promote the region of Ontario’s Southwest as a vibrant and prosperous tourism region.

    • The Government of Canada’s $500-million Tourism Relief Fund is helping tourism-oriented businesses and organizations recover from the pandemic and prepare for future growth. FedDev Ontario is delivering nearly $120 million of the Tourism Relief Fund across southern Ontario.