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Flags fly as port officially opens

'We’re going to have a fantastic summer,' chamber director predicts

The sun has risen on another boating season in Orillia.

The Port of Orillia was officially opened Thursday with a flag raising and reception at the Orillia Waterfront Centre.

“It’s known as the jewel of the Trent for the right reasons,” Mayor Steve Clarke said before unfurling the City of Orillia flag.

After a slower season in 2017, officials are looking forward to the port being a hive of activity this year.

"Last year was a bad weather year, so traffic was down a little bit, but I’m expecting we’ll have a great summer,” said Allan Lafontaine, managing director of the Orillia District Chamber of Commerce.

While some of the staple events, including June’s Spring Boat, Cottage and Outdoor Show and the Orillia Waterfront Festival in August, will help draw visitors to the port, the chamber is looking to offer some new incentives this year. A “dock and dine” feature is in the works. The goal is to bring in more boat traffic on slower days. It will see the chamber working with local restaurants and entertainment venues to offer deals to visiting boaters.

“We’re trying to make this dock packed all the time and feed local businesses,” Lafontaine said. “The goal is to make the Lake Country area the place to go.”

Another new sight at the waterfront will be on the weekend of the Orillia Classic Car Show, Aug. 18, when more than 30 Ranger Tugs will pull into the port.

This is the second boating season for the Orillia Waterfront Centre. The award-winning building was well received by visitors last year, Lafontaine said.

“Everybody was super excited. It’s something we can all be proud of.”

Aiming to increase the number of visitors, Lafontaine put out an invitation to boaters and near and far.

“Anybody who’s thinking about a getaway, even for a day, hop in your boat and come down to the town dock,” he said. “We’re going to have a fantastic summer.”

Events happening at the port and around the region are posted on the chamber’s website.


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Nathan Taylor

About the Author: Nathan Taylor

Nathan Taylor is the desk editor for Village Media's central Ontario news desk in Simcoe County and Newmarket.
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