How much longer will Wasaga Beach be under construction?

Surrounding busses say they are looking for work around to deal with construction barriers reducing foot traffic

As the town of Wasaga Beach continues to renovate their downtown strip, businesses are remaining optimistic when it comes to their business.

Les Kowalik, manager of Georgian Inn, said the construction is sometimes difficult to deal with but is looking at the long-term future of the town.

“Because of the road closures and the main roundabout, it has affected us,” said Kowalik.

“I mean, a bit of the publicity is that access to the beach is difficult, but it’s part of, the growth that we’re anticipating here, so just remember, you can access the beach,” Kowalik said.

Access points are marked along the main strip of the beach and traveling further along to Beach Area 2, beachgoers have full access to 14 kilometers of freshwater beach.

Kowalik added the change is needed to attract visitors traveling from out of town.

“It’s something that has to be done and it will build back, but it will be better,” said Kowalik. “We’re so close now to the city that we really have to provide a product in here for people to come up and see.”

The Sandbar is one of the last remaining businesses on the beach and as construction evolves around them, they pivot when it comes to attracting customers.

Jay Preddie is the manager at The Sandbar.

Preddie said they continue to try different things to attract business.

“We’re removing walls, we’re making edits to the patio, we’re putting signage, lights every day, lasers on the ground, trying to do whatever we can to say ‘hey, look, we’re over here’ because it’s very quick to spread the information,” said Preddie.

With Mayor Brian Smith reaffirming phase one of construction is on time and will be done as planned

“We’re going to reopen that main street, that’s an historic part of our community,” said Smith.

“Beach Drive is on time and on budget at this point and we expect that’s going to be done in time early to mid of next year,” he added.

Canada Day saw many people down at the beach before a major storm swept through the area.

Wasaga Beach Life Festival will be making its way to the area from July 23 to 26, featuring live music at Beach Area 2 and the Midway coming to town.

“A four-day, event that is going to have lots of great music,” said Smith.

“The midway will be back in town, something that people remember from back in the 80s and before with the midway all the time and the kids love it, parents love it,” said Smith.

“But we’ve got some really cool acts, four big acts that that will be here that includes local favourite The Carpet Frogs,” he said.

Despite the construction, the beach was full.

“The misnomer is that, you know, the beach is closed, and it couldn’t be anything further from the truth, Wasaga beach is open,” Smith added.

“We are open for business. Our businesses are excited to come and serve you,” said Smith.

“We’ve got 14km of freshwater beach, the longest freshwater beach in the world and it doesn’t matter what day, what time, it’s a beautiful place to be,” he said.

“And we’re seeing that this summer, the heat is good, the sun is up, and people are coming here,” said Smith.