Council Welcomes $10.9 Million in Provincial Support for Redevelopment of Town’s Iconic Beach Drive
Matching funding will help unlock over 3000 homes across the community and millions of dollars of investment, including a mixed-use residential/commercial development at Beach Area 1 inspired by the Village at Blue Mountain, to help the Town develop into a complete community and year-round tourism destination
“The Town of Wasaga Beach thanks the Province, Minister Surma and MPP Saunderson for this investment in the future of our community,” said Mayor Brian Smith. “Rebuilding Beach Drive will support the redevelopment of our iconic commercial area at Beach Area 1, which is the heart and lungs of our local economy. It will unlock a mixed-use, residential and commercial development inspired by the Village at Blue Mountain, help us build more homes and attract more investment to our growing community, and positively impact our town and region for generations to come.”
– Mayor Brian Smith
WASAGA BEACH – The Town of Wasaga Beach is welcoming an over $10.9 million investment by the Ontario government to help rebuild the Town’s iconic Beach Drive, which runs parallel along the Town’s famous sandy shoreline at Beach Area 1.
Improving roads and infrastructure along Beach Drive and at the Town’s main commercial area at Beach Area 1 will resolve flooding issues that have continued to negatively impact tourism and businesses along this important economic corridor.
The matching funding will help secure millions of dollars of investment and unlock over 3000 new homes across the community, including a mixed-use residential/commercial development at Beach Area 1 inspired by the Village at Blue Mountain.
Mayor Brian Smith and members of council welcomed the good news this afternoon during a media event with MPP Brian Saunderson at the Wasaga Stars Arena. Today’s announcement follows on the heels of significant council advocacy, including successful meetings at the 2024 AMO Conference, 2025 ROMA Conference, and a recent Town-hosted reception and meetings at Queen’s 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, Council continues to call on the province to partner with the Town to re-imagine “Ontario’s summer playground” and Wasaga Beach Provincial Park. This includes asking the province to invest more in the nationally significant Nancy Island historic site.
Quick Facts
Over the past 24 months, the Town and Council of Wasaga Beach has successfully advocated for and welcomed over $129 million in new provincial investments to build new housing-enabling infrastructure including roads, two high schools, a community theatre, and more.
Today the Ontario government is investing $10,950,158 in critical infrastructure to help attract investment and facilitate the construction of new homes and businesses in the Town of Wasaga Beach.
The Town of Wasaga Beach will use the funding for their Beach Area 1 Roadways Reconstruction – Phase 1. This project will resolve flooding and other issues along Beach Drive to unlock investment, housing and economic growth throughout the community, and at Beach Area 1.
The funding is being delivered through the Housing-Enabling Core Servicing Stream under the Municipal Housing Infrastructure Program, which includes $400 million to help build, repair and maintain municipal roads, bridges and culverts that will promote housing and economic growth in communities across Ontario.
Additional Quotes
“Wasaga Beach is a vibrant, growing community and a popular year-round tourist destination for families across the Province and beyond. This significant investment by our Government demonstrates our commitment to collaborating with municipalities to enable much needed growth now and into the future.”
MPP for Simcoe Grey, Brian Saunderson
“On behalf of the County of Simcoe, we thank the Ontario Government for their investment in Wasaga Beach and we congratulate the Town on what will be a significant project to further revitalize this community. The Town’s vision will bring more tourism, homes and economic growth to our region.”
Simcoe County Warden, Basil Clarke
About Wasaga Beach
The Town of Wasaga Beach aims to be a place where people come to create memories that will last a lifetime. Engaging in advocacy with other levels of government supports this vision and Council’s priorities: to create opportunities to diversify the economy, create jobs and build a complete community. It’s part of the Town’s plan to become a leader in sustainability, creativity, innovation and fun – a place with thriving businesses and safe, inclusive and complete neighbourhoods where we celebrate our rich history, diversity of cultures and natural beauty, including the Nottawasaga River, Georgian Bay and the longest freshwater beach in the world.
