As work continues as part of the multi-phase Centennial Drive Area Improvements project in the downtown waterfront area, the City is working with local event organizers to adapt plans to continue hosting events this summer in the Sunshine City.
During its meeting on April 17, 2023, Council approved temporary changes to park by-laws for the 2023 season to allow additional events to take place within J.B. Tudhope Memorial Park (Tudhope Park) and approved additional funding to assist with signage, communications, additional shuttle services, and upgrades to Tudhope Park to accommodate more events. Council also provided support by waiving rental fees for the Canada Day Festival and by providing financial support to assist the Scottish Festival with the transportation of the marching band.
“Staff have been working with event organizers to make alternative plans to adapt the events for this summer season. Dealing with construction is never ideal and it has been a team effort to find solutions. We are very appreciative of the flexibility and patience shown by event organizers,” said Mayor Don McIsaac. “The City will continue to work with event organizers throughout their events to ensure a smooth transition and operation.”
Changes have been made to accommodate the following events during the 2023 summer season:
- Spring Boat and Cottage Show (June 9-11, 2023) will relocate a portion of the event to Barnfield Point Recreation Centre and Tudhope Park. A portion of the event will remain at Centennial Park to provide water access for the demonstration boats associated with the event.
- Canada Day (June 30-July 2, 2023) will remain at Couchiching Beach Park with adapted operations.
- Scottish Festival (July 14-16, 2023) will relocate to Tudhope Park.
- Rotary Lions Fun Fest (Aug. 4-6, 2023) will relocate to Tudhope Park.
“We have worked with the City to find an alternative option this summer while construction is taking place,” said Laura Grant of the Scottish Festival Organizing Committee. “Staff were very helpful and worked with us to consider all of our event logistics while choosing the alternative location of Tudhope Park. We look forward to hosting the 45th annual Scottish Festival in Orillia.”
Currently, as part of construction, Centennial Drive remains closed between Mississaga Street East and Tecumseth Street. Canice Street is closed at Brant Street, and Tecumseth Street is closed east of Parkview Avenue. The road closures affect local vehicle and pedestrian access to the Centennial Boat Launch parking lot, Waterfront Centre parking lot, Dr. Seymour Conservatory parking lot and Terry Fox Circle. There is very limited parking, and additional projects, including the Laclie Street Reconstruction Phase 1 and Tecumseth Street Reconstruction, are anticipated to begin later this spring and will also impact access to the park.
While vehicle access will be limited by closures (see key map), pedestrian access is available and there are several Orillia Transit stops close to the waterfront. The City is also finalizing operating plans to help provide convenient access to the waterfront this summer with a shuttle service pilot and will be sharing more details soon.
Regular operations of Couchiching Beach Park will continue, including access to playgrounds, washrooms, band concerts, lifeguards, swimming lessons, advanced lifeguard courses, and more.
While originally scheduled to be completed by July, Phase 2 of the Centennial Drive Area Reconstruction project timelines are dependent on many factors such as utilities, road reconstruction progress, and dewatering. As the project hits certain milestones, the City will be able to narrow down timelines; however, the current schedule for the project would see major construction completed in August with clean up and final road works and landscaping in the early fall.
For details regarding the revitalization of the downtown waterfront area and for more information on impacts, visit orillia.ca/waterfront.
