Ontario Construction News staff writer
Ontario is investing nearly $38 million to revamp Wasaga Beach, a summer destination at the southern tip of Georgian Bay that’s been popular with tourists since the early 1900s.
Premier Doug Ford visited the area on May 16 to announce the funding that has already seen a section of the more than 14 kilometres of white sandy beach under construction. The province says it will spend $11 million on roads around the coastline to support a planned 3,000-home development, as well as $2 million to help revitalize downtown Wasaga Beach.
Ford said the part of the beach owned by the province will be given to the town, provided it remains public.
“Wasaga Beach is a world-class tourist destination, with the longest freshwater beach in the world and an incredible history, including at Nancy Island,” Ford said in a statement. “We’re helping bring this important part of Ontario’s history back to life and we’re working with the municipality to revitalize the downtown, create jobs and welcome tourists from across Ontario and around the world.”
Ford said the investments in partnership with the Town of Wasaga Beach are intended to preserve local heritage, create jobs, boost tourism and support economic growth across the region. They include:
- $25 million to support the redevelopment of Nancy Island Historic Site, along with the proposed transfer of administrative responsibility for the site from the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks to the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Gaming
- Nearly $11 million through the Municipal Housing Infrastructure Program to support the reconstruction of the Wasaga Beach Area roadways project that will support new homes and improve access to Wasaga Beach’s tourist areas
- $2 million for the Town of Wasaga Beach to support tourism planning work in the redevelopment of its downtown area.
The province says it will soon begin the process of transferring a portion of the provincially owned beachfront in Wasaga Beach Provincial Park to the town to support its integration into the broader development dubbed Destination Wasaga.
“By preserving the unique character of Wasaga Beach, we’re helping to protect a valued part of Ontario’s heritage while promoting long-term economic growth in the region,” Peter Bethlenfalvy, Minister of Finance, said in the statement.
Nancy Island is where the HMS Nancy fought against three American schooners during the War of 1812, with support from the Anishinaabe-Ojibwe and French-Canadian voyageurs. Although the Nancy was lost during the conflict, two of the attacking American ships were captured by the Nancy’s crew, stopping their advance and protecting Canadian territory.
The current site tells the story of the War of 1812 and houses artifacts including the charred hull of the HMS Nancy. A theatre, museum and replica lighthouse are also located on the island.
Ford said there is a need to restore and preserve the facility to ensure its sustainability while Tourism Minister Stan Cho added that the province will launch a marketing campaign to help draw tourists to destinations around the province, including Wasaga.
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