Being 'heart healthy' isn't just a lifestyle choice. As the Township of Tay realizes that it's also vital to the longevity of a community.

"It reflects on your whole community. We think that we have such nice communities to live in and we want to make sure that our heart reflects the communities and right now they need a little pumping up," said Mara Burton, Township of Tay's director of planning.

The municipality is in the process of purchasing water parkland in the downtown areas of each of its three communities. So far, waterfront properties in Port McNicoll and Waubaushene have been secured but township officials are currently in the midst of Ontario Municipal Board hearings to acquire land in Victoria Harbour.

A D V E R T I S E M E N T

"We've bought a chunk of waterfront very close to the downtown in Victoria Harbour but this one is right in the heart of downtown," said Burton. "We've secured a portion of it on the Wye Cliff Georgian Landing development where there are 82 freehold town homes going in."

The park is right beside the development, at the foot of Albert Street. It's a prime location, says Burton, to attract people to the heart of the village.

It's this area, at the corner of Albert and William streets, including one block in each direction, that the township is focusing its beautification efforts to attract new business.

The plan includes landscaping, the addition of a pavilion and closing a portion of Albert Street along the waterfront to attract people and make it enticing for gatherings.

Council is expected to allocate $178,000 for downtown revitalization projects in its 2006 budget. They include the addition of hanging baskets, park benches and trees to create a tree-lined downtown core that encourages gatherings.

Add a few new businesses to the mix and it will make a big difference, adds Burton.

"We're a smaller community and the opportunities here to make a substantial difference are quite great. Even just a couple of businesses that open up in downtown Victoria Harbour will completely improve the atmosphere," she said.

"That's one of the things that is so exciting about it; it doesn't take a big project to make a big difference."

Retaining and working with the businesses already present, such as the LCBO, Food Town grocery store, Harbour Hardware store and other smaller businesses is also a priority and Burton hopes to hold round table discussions with business owners to discuss the ideas.

"It's been wonderful. Everyone supports the initiatives - the staff, the council - it's been a very positive thing and we're just starting," said Burton. "It's really exciting and now's the time (to get involved) because it's really ground floor right now."

The township is also considering offering tax break incentives to entrepreneurs who increase the size of their location and may access the Main Street Program, a government program that offers financial incentives to downtown business owners for facade improvements.