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DESTINATION WASAGA

Home of the longest freshwater beach in the world, Ontario’s first and most visited urban, “recreation class” provincial park, and Nancy Island, a War of 1812 National Historic Site.

Re-imagining Ontario's Summer Playground

In July 2025, through a competitive bid process, the Town of Wasaga Beach launched a nationwide search for a visionary partner to help re-imagine Wasaga Beach into a globally recognized, four-season destination.

Spanning a large section of the Town’s iconic waterfront, downtown, and main tourism areas, the Destination Wasaga Master Plan is set to be one of the most significant planning and public engagement exercises in the history of Wasaga Beach.

Award-winning visionaries

Urban Strategies, a Canadian-based urban design and planning firm with global experience, has been selected to lead the community-driven waterfront master plan.
   
Renowned for award-winning work in sustainability, waterfront regeneration, and public engagement, the firm has received more than 120 national and international honours. Their commitment to environmental stewardship and inclusive design will help guide the re-imagination of the waterfront, unlocking its full potential as a resilient, vibrant, four-season destination.

The Power of 10

In August 2025, at the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) Conference, senior staff and members of Council met with six Ontario cabinet ministers, including Ontario Minister of Tourism, Culture and Gaming, Stan Cho, and Ontario Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks, Todd McCarthy.

At the heart of the conversation was the future of Destination Wasaga – and The Power of 10. The Power of 10 refers to ten big ideas the Town is proposing that our residents and our provincial partners consider during the Destination Wasaga Master Plan process. As consultation on the Destination Wasaga Master Plan begins, these big ideas aim to inspire our community and strengthen collaboration between the Town and Province. We’re challenging everyone to imagine what’s possible.

Trent-Severn Waterway National Historic Site

Tuffes Stadium

Malahat SkyWalk

Destination Wasaga Timeline

Urban Strategies is now tasked with engaging local residents, business leaders and relevant stakeholders to develop the Destination Wasaga Master PlanThe award-winning firm has assembled a multi-disciplinary team of experts to guide the development of the master plan, including architects, engineers, Indigenous design advisors, economists, tourism advisors, as well as environmental and cost consultants.

RFP Awarded
September 2025

Community Consultation
Fall/Winter 2025

Plan Development
Spring/Summer 2026

Plan Approval
Fall 2026

Wasaga Beach Through the Years

This is our story…

Imagine what's possible.

Here's What the Community is Saying

"Wasaga Beach is ready to become a globally recognized recreation and nature-based destination, and we are excited to partner with Urban Strategies to make it happen. Our guiding principle is simple: A place where people love to live is a place that people will want to visit. To build Wasaga Beach into a truly resilient, four-season destination, we will focus on fostering unique experiences, leveraging local assets, prioritizing sustainability, and actively engaging with residents. During the RFP process, we made it clear that environmental leadership is also important to the Town and this Council – our final plan must integrate green infrastructure, innovative design, nature-based solutions and global best practices that will enhance the health of our community and shoreline for generations to come. This is vitally important to ensure Wasaga Beach thrives as Ontario’s summer playground – but also that we evolve into an iconic, year-round destination that will grow Ontario’s tourism sector, support local businesses, and make life better for our full-time residents."

- Mayor Brian Smith

“Across Ontario, our government is helping build tourism destinations that increase visitation, create jobs, and drive economic growth. This bold and collaborative transformation project will revitalize Wasaga Beach’s iconic waterfront and elevate the town as a premier tourism destination for travellers from across the country and around the world. Our government’s investment will help both protect local workers and businesses and preserve a cherished piece of Canadian history.”

— Stan Cho, Ontario Minister of Tourism, Culture and Gaming

“Wasaga Beach is one of the crown jewels of South Georgian Bay, and it’s a place where generations of families have created lasting memories along its world-famous shoreline. Our government is proud to invest in this vibrant and growing community, and I’m excited to see this project moving forward. It’s equally encouraging to see the Town partnering with an Ontario company to reimagine Wasaga Beach as a globally recognized, four-season destination.”

— Brian Saunderson, MPP, Simcoe-Grey

“Re-imagining a community is complex—and Wasaga Beach is no ordinary community. It’s the world’s longest freshwater beach and home to Ontario’s first and most visited urban provincial park, with dunes, forests, and over 30 kilometres of trails. It’s also one of Ontario’s fastest-growing communities. At Urban Strategies, we bring fresh eyes and global best practices to complex projects, without preconceived conclusions. We look forward to crafting a bold vision and path forward with the citizens of Wasaga Beach – the people who live, work, learn and play in this iconic community 365 days of the year.”

– Tim Smith, Principal at Urban Strategies

“As Chair of the Town’s Economic Development and Tourism Advisory Committee, I’m incredibly excited to see Destination Wasaga moving forward. This process will redefine Wasaga Beach as a world-class, four-season destination — anchored by the world’s longest freshwater beach, vibrant heritage sites like Nancy Island, and a revitalized downtown. With thoughtful planning, infrastructure renewal, investment attraction, and strong community engagement, we’re building more than a globally-recognized recreation and nature-based destination — we’re building a community where residents and businesses can thrive all year long.”

— Steve Harlow, Chair, Economic Development & Tourism Advisory Committee

“As President of the Wasaga Beach Chamber of Commerce & Tourism, I’m thrilled to support Destination Wasaga—a transformative opportunity for our town. With nearly $38 million in provincial funding to revitalize our downtown, rebuild Beach Drive, preserve the heritage of Nancy Island, and reimagine our community as a four-season destination, we’re poised to unlock incredible investment and benefits in our community. From restaurants and shops to accommodations and attractions, our local businesses stand to gain from increased visitation and year-round tourism. More than that, this project enables us to build a truly welcoming, vibrant, and sustainable community that celebrates Wasaga Beach’s natural beauty, history, and character every day of the year.”

— Karin Greig, President, Wasaga Beach Chamber of Commerce & Tourism

“As someone who spent my youth enjoying the sun and surf of Wasaga Beach, I am deeply connected to this community. Our family operated Beach Bazaar here in 1976 – returning now with Sunray Group to build a premium Marriott Hotel and invest in its future is very rewarding, both personally and professionally. The Destination Wasaga approach aligns perfectly with Sunray Group’s commitment to sustainable, community-first development. This project honours the past, creates excitement for the future, and puts the local community first. Sunray Group supports this historic and collaborative effort to enhance Wasaga Beach’s appeal — not just as a great place to visit, but as a great place to live.”

— Ray Gupta, Chairman & CEO, Sunray Group of Hotels

“As CAO of the Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority, I’m encouraged by the collaborative momentum behind Destination Wasaga. Our watershed, which flows through Wasaga Beach and into Georgian Bay, depends on smart, resilient planning. Destination Wasaga’s focus on revitalizing Wasaga’s downtown, building climate-resilient infrastructure, prioritizing environmental leadership, and preserving heritage like Nancy Island aligns closely with our mission to protect the environment while promoting sustainable community growth. NVCA stands ready to support this transformational project—ensuring it enhances year-round recreational opportunities in the Town of Wasaga Beach while safeguarding the integrity of our watershed for generations to come.”

— Jennifer Vincent, Chief Administrative Officer, Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority

“As someone who helps bring live music, culture, and community together for the annual Wasaga Beach Blues Festival, I couldn’t be more excited about Destination Wasaga. Our annual live-music festival, along with other Town-organized concerts and live-music events throughout the year, draws tens of thousands of visitors to Wasaga Beach from across Ontario, Canada, and beyond. These visitors spend money at local businesses and fuel our local economy. This investment gives us the tools to elevate our events, create new year-round cultural experiences, strengthen our local businesses, and celebrate the unique energy of Wasaga Beach well beyond summer. The Wasaga Beach Blues Festival supports this effort to transform Wasaga Beach into a vibrant, four-season destination rooted in a love of outdoor recreation and live music.”

— Kathy Mulgrew, Wasaga Beach Blues Festival

“As a longtime business owner and active community member in Wasaga Beach, I’m proud to support Destination Wasaga. Over the years, our Canadian Tire team has been honored to sponsor local events, support community groups, and help make Wasaga Beach a place where families and neighbors can come together. This initiative will build on that spirit — revitalizing our downtown, preserving our heritage, and creating a four-season destination that benefits both residents and local businesses. I’m excited to see our community grow in a way that celebrates what makes Wasaga Beach truly special.”

— Ken Voss, Dealer Principal, Canadian Tire (Wasaga Beach)

"As a longtime developer who is passionate about the Wasaga Beach community, I’m thrilled to see our town step into this new chapter with Destination Wasaga. This isn’t just any revitalization—it’s a once-in-a-generation opportunity to transform our waterfront and our community into a vibrant, year-round destination. By combining big ideas, thoughtful infrastructure, environmental leadership, and heritage preservation, we can make Wasaga Beach one of the most vibrant and iconic places in the world to visit or call home."

— Mark Crowe, Stonebridge Building Group

“As the new partners at Skull Island Mini Golf, we are excited to support Destination Wasaga—a visionary project that aligns perfectly with our commitment to providing unique and memorable experiences for our guests. By enhancing public spaces and introducing innovative attractions, this initiative will not only elevate the visitor experience but also create a vibrant, year-round destination that benefits local businesses like ours. We look forward to being a part of this transformative journey and contributing to the continued growth and success of Wasaga Beach.”

— Garry Hewines, Partner, Skull Island Mini Golf

“As the owner of Catch 22 Fresh Market Grill, I’m excited to support Destination Wasaga because it’s about more than revitalization—it’s about imagining new, exceptional experiences for our community and visitors. Enhancing public spaces, attractions, and the downtown waterfront will draw more people to our town, which directly supports local businesses like ours. Destination Wasaga gives us the chance to create a vibrant, year-round destination where residents and visitors can dine, shop, and enjoy memorable moments—making Wasaga Beach a place people want to return to again and again.”

— Bob Bickmore, Owner, Catch 22 Fresh Market Grill