Behind the Headlines: Mayor Brian Smith Answers 14 Questions About Destination Wasaga

Town launches new series that puts residents behind the scenes with responses to questions from the Toronto Star

WASAGA BEACH, ON, Oct. 19, 2026 /CNW/ -- When the Toronto Star recently approached Mayor Brian Smith with detailed questions about Destination Wasaga, the questions touched on many of the same topics residents have been asking: Why is redevelopment needed? How is this different from past beachfront plans or master plans? Who will pay for it? How will public access to the beach and sensitive Piping Plover habitat be protected? And what will success look like 10 years from now?

Destination Wasaga Concept Plan - artist's rendering of Wasaga Shell public park and performance venue looking westward from about halfway mark at Beach Area 1; currently this area is dominated by paved parking.

Artist's rendering of the new Dardanella music venue.

Artist's rendering of the new Dardanella music venue. View from the water.

Artist's rendering of the new Dardanella music venue. View from inside.

Map showing the relative size of Wasaga Beach Provincial Park compared to Beach Areas 1 and 2 and illustrating Destination Wasaga Master Plan proposed Provincial Park opportunities.

Premier Doug Ford announces $38 million in funding for Destination Wasaga on May 16, 2025.

Visitors enjoying the beach.

Music festival on the World's Longest Freshwater Beach; the Town hosts numerous festivals, events and live concerts on or near the beach each year.

Artist's rendering of the Marina Riverfront as part of the Destination Wasaga Master Plan.

Artist's rendering of the Nancy Island Bridge as part of the Destination Wasaga Master Plan.

SUPing at Wasaga Beach.

Town of Wasaga Beach - Jenetta Street and the Nottawasaga River looking westward towards Beach Drive while out of frame to the east begins more than 9 paved parking lots that extend out to the point and the town.

Artist's rendering of the Village Heart as part of the Destination Wasaga Master Plan.

2026 AMO Asks (from LinkedIn carousel)

Artist's rendering of the Eco-Centre as part of the Destination Wasaga Master Plan.

Artist's rendering of the Festival Square as part of the Destination Wasaga Master Plan

Artist's rendering of the Cultural Park as part of the Destination Wasaga Master Plan.

Artist's rendering of the Amusement Deck as part of the Destination Wasaga Master Plan.

Rather than keeping those answers behind the scenes, the Town of Wasaga Beach is making the Mayor's complete responses publicly available--and launching Behind the Headlines, a new series designed to give residents direct access to the information, answers and context shared by the Mayor and Town staff during media interviews and inquiries.

The new initiative is part of the Town's ongoing commitment to transparency and public engagement around Destination Wasaga.

"Transparency builds trust. We want residents to have direct access to the information and context we share with the media, so they can explore the issues, understand the decisions being made, and see the work underway to shape the future of Wasaga Beach," said Sandra Watts, General Manager, External Relations.

The first installment takes readers beyond the headlines to explore why Wasaga Beach developed differently from other Ontario communities, the history of the beachfront, the Town's vision for a stronger four-season economy, provincial and private-sector investment, environmental stewardship, and how the community-shaped Destination Wasaga Master Plan will be funded and implemented over time.

Read the questions and answers provided to the Toronto Star. 

Quick Facts

• Wasaga Beach is home to the world's longest freshwater beach and one of Ontario's most recognized tourism destinations, welcoming more than two million visitors annually.
• The Destination Wasaga Master Plan is the result of one of the most extensive public engagement exercises in the Town's history. More than 16,000 residents, visitors, students, businesses, community organizations and stakeholders participated through public meetings, online surveys, comment boards, workshops, focus groups and webinars.
• The Master Plan presents a vision--a long-term framework. Individual initiatives and projects will evolve as approvals, funding discussions, technical work, environmental studies, Indigenous engagement and detailed designs proceed.
• The Master Plan proposes approximately 4.5 kilometres of new boardwalk and 3.2 kilometres of new bike paths, while enhancing 250 hectares of new and existing waterfront parkland.
• In May 2025, the Province of Ontario committed to $38 million to build Destination Wasaga, including $11 million to rebuild Beach Drive and $25 million to revitalize Nancy Island Historic Site.

Additional Resources

Read the Destination Wasaga Master Plan news release and backgrounder
Watch the Destination Wasaga Master Plan explainer video
Watch the Destination Wasaga Phase 1 Public Engagement wrap video
Watch the Destination Wasaga Phase 2 Public Engagement wrap video
Watch Premier Ford's remarks from the Building Destination Wasaga announcement on May 15, 2025

Media Contact:
Karla Findlay
Team Lead, Communications, Customer Experience & Public Engagement
Email Karla

Sandra Watts
General Manager of External Relations | Director of Communications, Destination Marketing & Intergovernmental Affairs
Email Sandra      

SOURCE Town of Wasaga Beach