Wasaga Beach Unveils Proposal to Become One of the World's Great Waterfront Destinations
Destination Wasaga Master Plan positions tourism as an engine for jobs, investment and economic growth
WASAGA BEACH, ON, Sept. 24, 2026 /CNW/ -- The Town of Wasaga Beach today unveiled its Destination Wasaga Master Plan--a bold, community-led proposal to transform one of Ontario's best-known summer destinations into a vibrant, sustainable and globally recognized four-season recreation and nature-based destination.
"This plan belongs to the people who helped create it," said Mayor Brian Smith. "It builds on everything our residents and generations of Ontarians have loved about Wasaga Beach and sets a bold course for what comes next--more jobs, more investment, more opportunity and a destination we will be proud to leave to future generations."
Developed with funding from the Government of Ontario, this planning document presents a long-term vision for Wasaga Beach's beachfront, downtown, public spaces, transportation connections, attractions and visitor experiences.
Destination Wasaga is guided by clear commitments:
- The beach will always remain public, with public access protected for residents and visitors.
- Wasaga Beach will remain a community first, guided by the principle that a place where people love to live is a place people will want to visit.
- Environmental stewardship and meaningful Indigenous engagement will help shape refinement and implementation, protecting the beach, dunes, shoreline, sensitive habitat and natural systems while creating opportunities for Indigenous knowledge, history, culture and perspectives to inform individual projects.
- Tourism growth will be carefully managed, focusing first on longer stays, year-round visits and greater economic value from the visitors Wasaga Beach already welcomes.
- Implementation will be phased and accountable, with individual projects subject to all relevant planning, environmental, regulatory, and financial approval processes.
The Destination Wasaga Master Plan is designed to attract strategic investment, support local businesses and jobs, strengthen the Town's commercial tax base, and create more year-round economic activity across Wasaga Beach and the South Georgian Bay region. Major private-sector investment is already taking shape, including plans for a premium Marriott-branded hotel.
The plan focuses first on creating more value from the millions of people Wasaga Beach already welcomes--encouraging longer stays and year-round visits while strengthening local businesses, resident quality of life and environmental stewardship.
Among the concepts envisioned in the Master Plan are a new Dardanella that would restore one of Wasaga Beach's most important historic tourism and cultural landmarks as a modern, year-round performance venue, and an iconic pedestrian bridge across the Nottawasaga River that could connect the world's longest freshwater beach from end to end for the first time.
"Great communities do not stand still--they make deliberate choices about the future they want to build," added Mayor Smith. "Destination Wasaga is our community's bold vision, and with the continued support and partnership of the Province of Ontario, the Government of Canada and our other partners, we are ready to turn that vision into reality."
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 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 backgrounder
Read the 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
Learn more: wasagabeach.com/imagine
Media contacts:
Karla Findlay
Team Lead | Communications, Customer Experience & Public Engagement
[email protected]
Sandra Watts
General Manager of External Relations | Director of Communications, Destination Marketing & Intergovernmental Affairs
Town of Wasaga Beach
[email protected]
SOURCE Town of Wasaga Beach
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