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As the sun sets on another incredible summer in Wasaga Beach, we reflect on a season filled with celebration as we continued to mark our 50th anniversary with outstanding live music, entertainment, and the biggest increase in tourism we have seen in over a decade.
Throughout the summer, we also continued to advocate at the provincial level to further support and promote the world's longest freshwater beach. Council and Town staff wrapped up the season at the annual Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) conference in Ottawa. We held productive meetings with Premier Doug Ford and key ministries, including Infrastructure, Tourism, Sport, Municipal Affairs and Housing, and Transportation.
These discussions were followed by Council passing a motion for the Province and Town to come together to review the guiding principles under which the world’s longest freshwater beach was originally expropriated and turned into a Provincial Park: To provide outdoor recreation opportunities for the people of Ontario, together with year-round tourism and economic opportunities for the Town of Wasaga Beach.
The motion also calls for a provincial task force to be formed with representatives from the Town, The Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks, The Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Gaming and the Ministry of Infrastructure to review all provincial landholdings within Wasaga Beach and determine which lands should be transferred out of the Ministry of the Environment portfolio and put into either the Ministry of Tourism, Infrastructure Ontario, or the Town’s portfolios. This is a critical step in strengthening our economy and achieving our goals of becoming a complete community, and a world-class, year-round Ontario destination.
We know there is a better way to protect and promote the unique aspects of the world’s longest freshwater beach and Nancy Island historic site. Unfortunately, both assets have been underfunded for decades. We believe they belong with a ministry who has the expertise and resources to collaboratively oversee and inspire the development of world-class attractions and destinations.
As we head into the fall, we welcome students to the brand new Wasaga Beach Public School located at 42 Union Boulevard. Council also welcomes the dramatic shift by the Simcoe County District School Board who has recently made a high school for Wasaga Beach their #2 capital priority. Wasaga Beach’s advocacy is paying off! If approved by the Ontario Ministry of Education, the new project will be the second high school approved for the Town in just over one year. Wasaga Beach’s first high school, which received $57.7 million in funding earlier this spring, will be built by the Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board in partnership with the Town.
Fall is also busy time at Town Hall with staff preparing the 2025 Budget to be presented to Council and we want to hear from you! Your input is critical in shaping the services and projects that matter most to our community. Please join us for the Budget Public Meeting on October 24th, from 7:00–9:00 p.m. in the RE/MAX Room at the Wasaga Beach Stars Arena. If you can’t attend in person, we welcome your feedback online at engagewasaga.ca.
Mayor Brian Smith
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