PETER CONRADI/Bullet News
Wirewalker Nik Wallenda headed back home to Florida Thursday night feeling good about his meeting with Niagara Parks Commission officials.
Of course, Nik Wallenda is pretty much always feeling good. Through this long process of trying to get permission to walk on a tightrope across the Niagara Gorge near the Horseshoe Falls, Wallenda has maintained almost unflappable composure, resolve and optimism – the kind of characteristics one might expect from someone who makes his living on a three-inch steel cable.
“It doesn’t do any good to be negative. I’ve said all along this is my dream and I’m just going to keep on going for it. People can say no, but it just makes me want to work harder.”
Wallenda was in Niagara Falls for a sit down with NPC general manager Fay Booker, police chief Doug Kane and head of engineering Marcelo Gruosso, along with a representative from New York State Parks. It was a 90-minute question-and-answer session at Table Rock, preceded by a one-on-one lunch at Elements attended by Wallenda and Niagara Parks chairwoman Janice Thomson.
“It was a great day,” said Wallenda Thursday night from the Buffalo airport. “I had a really good lunch with Janice. I got to know her and she got to know me a bit more as a person, which we have never had the opportunity to do. I think she understands what I’m all about and why I want to do this. It was very pleasant.”
Thomson was equally complimentary to Wallenda.
“We shared our ideas and I think we respect each other’s views. I have a high regard for his ability and understand that this is a life-goal of his. I really appreciate him coming down here again. He certainly is committed.”
However, Thomson, who has spoken out against stunting on the Parks property, gave no indication that she has changed her mind on that. At the same time, she said it is up to the commissioners to make the final decision.
“Our goal right now is to make sure the proper information gets back to the Commission. We always want to make sure things are done right.”
Wallenda said much of the later meeting with NPC staff, which included his father and his manager, centred around safety and technical issues.
“They asked a lot about my safety and about public safety,” Wallenda said. “It was all good. I figure if they are asking, that must mean they are digging deeper and treating this very seriously. I basically told them that I am here to make them happy. I said, ‘Tell me what you need from me and that’s what I will do.’ ”
Thursday’s meetings were set in motion at the behest of Ontario Tourism Minister Michael Chan, who got together with Wallenda a few weeks ago.
Wallenda’s request to attempt his wirewalk between the United States and Canada was turned down by the NPC board last fall. Wallenda made a 12-minute presentation to the board, but none of the commissioners asked any questions. Wallenda then requested a sit-down with Chan, who later said he doesn’t have the authority to overturn the NPC decision, but asked the agency to take another look at the project.
Thomson said the NPC senior staff will now prepare a report that will be dealt with by the commissioners at their next meeting Feb. 15; Wallenda said he will be in attendance. Thomson expects the Parks Commission will rule for a second time on the request that day.
Thomson said the NPC will discuss the matter in open session. There are no plans to have Wallenda speak, but Thomson said commissioners might be able to ask questions.
“It’s never come up before. If it does, we can deal with it at the meeting.”
The previous ruling by the Parks was done in secret via e-mail; commissioners says they don’t know how others voted. Sources have told Bullet News that only one commissioner supported getting more information from Wallenda before making the decision.
Chan himself is said to be in favour of allowing Wallenda to make the two-country walk. Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty is believed to be of a similar opinion. Both are wary about the potential for accusations of interfering with the Niagara Parks Commission, though, an arms-length provincial steward of the land around the falls.
This issue has become political dynamite, however. Niagara Falls Mayor Jim Diodati and MPP Kim Craitor have openly got behind it, as well as Niagara Falls Tourism and Niagara Falls council. New York State lawmakers have written to McGuinty’s office in support of Wallenda. It was New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo who had to sign special legislation granting Wallenda special permission to use state property for his performance.
And in another development, the New York State Parks office recently came out against Wallenda’s so-called Plan B of walking across the American falls if he cannot secure permission from the Canadians. That effectively means the Niagara Parks Commission could kill the entire show.
Wallenda has provided an economic impact prediction of 120,000 people watching the attempted crossing live and spending an estimated $20.5 million. That number, Wallenda said, would balloon to $122 million of ‘legacy spending’ after five years. This includes money generated by repeat visitors or first-time visitors to Niagara Falls, who would come after viewing the show live, or on news reports or through special programs.
There’s already a confirmed deal with the Discovery Network that would allow the spectacle to be viewed live by more than 400 million people around the world, and at least another 60 million would see it through news broadcasts or entertainment shows.
Thomson has said she does not feel any pressure to allow Wallenda to make the walk, despite the fact that so many seem to want this to happen. She said there is also a significant contingent urging the Parks Commission to stick by its original verdict.
“We’re committed to doing the right thing for this area and we feel that sustainable tourism is the future in Niagara – not one day activities,” she said.
Wallenda, however, said he wants to establish a permanent theatre in Niagara Falls where he and members of his family can put on tightrope or aerial shows and other forms of circus entertainment.
“I’ve always said I want to make Niagara Falls my second home,” Wallenda told Bullet News on Monday. “Why wouldn’t I? Look at the crowds that come through Niagara Falls. I wouldn’t be a very good businessman if I didn’t consider something like that.
“It’s always been a big dream to have a Wallenda family show that runs at least all summer. Why not have a Nik Wallenda theatre with a show three-six months of the year? This has been the ultimate goal all along. This is definitely not a one-off thing.”
If the NPC does reverse itself and grant permission to Wallenda, it will also have to deal with a similar request from wirewalker Jay Cochran, who also wants to walk over the gorge. Cochran is scheduled to do a series of shows this summer between the Hilton Hotel and the Skylon Tower. The Niagara Parks Commission also denied his request to attempt a crossing of the Niagara River at the same time it turned down Wallenda.
