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Destination Wasaga: A new premier tourist destination

Premier Doug Ford and Minster Cho of Tourism, Gaming and Culture have announced plans to invest nearly $38 million to build Destination Wasaga, a premier tourist destination that includes beaches, a revitalized downtown area and important historic sites, in partnership with the Town of Wasaga Beach. These investments, including from the 2025 Ontario Budget, will help protect and expand the number of jobs in the local tourism sector and boost economic growth across Simcoe County.

News Release:

English: https://news.ontario.ca/en/release/1005915/ontario-building-destination-wasaga

French: https://news.ontario.ca/fr/release/1005915/lontario-fait-de-wasaga-une-destination-touristique-de-choix


Key Messages:

  • Wasaga Beach is a world-class tourist destination, with the longest freshwater beach in the world and an incredible history, including Nancy Island.
  • That’s why our government is making investments in support of Destination Wasaga, which will help preserve local heritage, create jobs, boost tourism and support economic growth across the region.
  • Part of the province’s 2025 Budget -A Plan to Protect Ontario, these investments include:

·       $25 million to support the redevelopment of Nancy Island Historic Site, along with the proposed transfer of the site from the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) to the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Gaming (MTCG).

·       Nearly $11 million through the Municipal Housing Infrastructure Program to support the reconstruction of the Wasaga Beach Area roadways project that will support more than 3,000 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.

This funding will help bring this important part of Ontario’s history back to life by working with the municipality to revitalize the downtown, create jobs and welcome tourists from across Ontario and around the world.

In addition to these investments, our government is also transferring nearly 60 hectares of local beachfront from Wasaga Beach Provincial Park to the town to support its integration into the broader development of Destination Wasaga under the condition that it remain a public beach.