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Wow, we’ve been busy! Since being elected, this council has focused on creating a strong vision and plan forward for Wasaga Beach. We have identified 5 Strategic Pillars for Change and 84 Actions to improve our community, and we will be reporting on our progress regularly as we complete these priorities. We encourage residents to ask questions, remain engaged and become part of the solutions – help us get it done. One of the first priorities we tackled in January was reopening Beach Drive. Residents and visitors have been excited to see this iconic area buzzing with life and commerce again. We have created an incredible new Beach Area 1 entertainment area and stage. All summer, the seating and picnic tables have been full of residents and visitors enjoying our beachfront, live music and culinary delights from local restaurants and food trucks.
In May, we hosted our first Business Roundtable event and staff are already working on some of the challenges and solutions our business owners identified, including raising the bar on our social media game, updating the business-licensing bylaw and creating a town beautification committee.
We are also working closely with our local MPP, school board and the Ontario government to build a new school in Wasaga Beach. In June, the Province gave the green light to get shovels in the ground. We look forward to breaking ground on this new, multi-use facility that will serve as a state-of-the-art elementary school and a shared community space for our town’s recreational programs. It also creates exciting momentum as we continue to advocate for a much-needed high school in Wasaga Beach.
In July, we announced that we are establishing a community medical centre and after-hours clinic. Thanks to a generous
donation by a local family physician, Dr. Greyling, together with a portion of the town’s OLG casino proceeds, this will help fill an immediate need in our community for an after-hours clinic. It will also support our longer-term efforts to recruit doctors and nurse practitioners to Wasaga Beach. In partnership with the Georgian Bay Family Health Organization, we are on track to open the clinic this fall.
The Beachfront Redevelopment RFP process is well underway. Staff are currently reviewing submissions and making plans for a second public meeting to gather resident feedback. To get notified when the date is set for this important public meeting – be sure to subscribe to the news section of our website, or keep an eye on the town’s social media channels. If you are unable to attend, we will also use our online engagement portal “Let’s Talk Wasaga Beach” to gather public comments. We encourage all residents to have their voice heard about the future of the beachfront.
Finally, summer might be winding down, but we still have many amazing events on the go: Summer Sets live music every week, Movies Under the Stars, Sand & Soca, and our biggest show of the season, the annual Memories of Summer concert featuring rock legends, April Wine. I hope you will join us on September 3 for this free event.
We’re excited about the progress we have made so far and we know there is much more to do. Please stay tuned for further updates in the months ahead.
Mayor Brian Smith
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