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Elliot Lake may have found an economic answer to Rio Algom's decision to close two local uranium mines in 1991.
The mining town with a population of approximately 18,000 is a diamond in the rough for many southern Ontario retired residents.
In May of 1987, Claire Dimock, vice-president of housing and community relations for Denison Mines, realized the potential Elliot Lake had in becoming a retirement haven for seniors, especially for seniors from southern Ontario.
Leaving the fast track of a large urbanized centre for more reasonable housing costs and a better quality of life is the reason Dimock believes many retired people have chosen to relocate to this northern town.
Realizing this, Dimock approached Rio Algom and Denison to discuss filling the many vacant units, in the mining companies' housing complexes. The homes were built for employees relocating to Elliot Lake.
Together the companies realized if they could attract a number of retired people to the area they could rent or sell their vacant apartments and houses while, with the growth in population, assisting the town's economy.
Following the approval, Dimock began promoting Elliot Lake as a retirement haven through newspaper advertisements and direct-mail brochures to seniors...