CBC opens pop-up bureau in Smiths Falls

CBC opens pop-up bureau in Smiths Falls

COMMUNITY Mar 01, 2018 by Evelyn Harford Smiths Falls Record News

 

CBC hits the road.

CBC Ottawa’s logo. – Facebook/CBC Ottawa

CBC hits the road.

CBC Ottawa’s pop-up bureau details. – Submitted

 

If you’ve noticed CBC vans driving around town, or have even been interviewed by their team of journalists, here’s why: a team from the national public broadcaster’s Ottawa office is in Smiths Falls to learn about the stories behind the town’s headlines and meet the movers, shakers and characters that makes this town tick.

“Smiths Falls has become one of the most interesting towns in the Ottawa Valley. The CBC Ottawa team is investing time in getting to know Smiths Falls by bringing in a team of reporters to meet not just the decision makers, but also the people who make this town tick,” said Ruth Zowdu, managing editor of CBC Ottawa. “We’re looking forward to getting to know the town through the eyes of the people who live here.”

CBC Ottawa journalists will be out in the community, getting to know Smiths Falls.

“We’ll tell the stories of people who have lived and loved this little town for years, and also of more recent arrivals who see the town through fresh eyes,” said Rochelle James, CBC’s regional manager of communications, marketing and brand, in an email to the Record News. “For years, the story of Smiths Falls has been about closure. When the Hershey factory and the Rideau Regional Centre closed, it meant jobs lost and financial insecurity for many in the community. Now, the headlines coming out of Smiths Falls are about economic growth and the changes that come with it.”

The team of journalists will explore Canopy Growth Corporation and Le Boat — both large companies who have invested in Smiths Falls. Their entrance into the local economy means some excitement, but possibly some growing pains, too.

“We’ll take a look at these issues as well as learn more about Smiths Falls by spending time there and meeting the people who call it home, work there and raise their families there,” James said.

The CBC Ottawa team is inviting the public to come talk to them and share their stories about Smiths Falls at a pop-up office located at 18 Russell St. E. The CBC journalists will be occupying the pop-up shop starting on Friday, March 2 until Tuesday, March 6.

officehours

Office hours for the pop-up shop are March 2 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., March 3 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., March 4 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and March 5 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.

“We are encouraging people to stop by, say hi and chat,” said James. 

Over the course of the next few days, people may see their journalists out in the community, at the arena, at an event or restaurant, meeting people and hearing more stories.

The CBC will be at the Bears game on Friday from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., where they will have free snow cones and a draw for some great Bears gear — jerseys, sweaters and hats.

A live radio broadcast will be taking place on Tuesday, March 6. Ottawa Morning and host Robyn Bresnahan will be live at Coffee Culture from 5:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.

Evelyn Harford

by Evelyn Harford

Evelyn Harford is the reporter for the Smiths Falls Record News. She can be reached at eharford@metroland.com.

Email: eharford@metroland.com