Highway 169 road work forces cancellation of popular boat show in Muskoka
The Canadian Antique and Classic Boat Society says it had no choice but to cancel this year's summer Vintage Boat Show at the Muskoka Wharf because of the two-kilometre-long project on Highway 169 in Gravenhurst.
- Download the CTV News app to get local alerts on your device
- Get the latest local updates sent to your email inbox
The long-running annual event attracts thousands of people to the Muskoka Wharf every summer.
"We had to make a tough decision. We have the largest antique boat show in Canada and one of the largest in North America, and if we could not deliver a first-class show for our members, we decided we would hold off one year and come back to Muskoka Wharf in 2025," says Mike Gridley, the chair of the ACBS Toronto Summer Vintage Boat Show.
Organizers of the boat show say accessibility would be restricted, leaving them no choice.
The district says the work must be done.
"There are sections where we are changing the nature of the road so the overall width of the road won't change, but we are adding things like transportation and trails for more accessibility. We're also doing a number of changes, upgrading signals, putting in pedestrian crossings really to make that section of Gravenhurst more pedestrian friendly," says James Steele with the District of Muskoka.
On top of losing the boat show this summer, the Farmers' Market and other local events will be on the move as the road work is carried out.
Bart Craigkowski owns and operates the shipyards in the Wharf and says losing the boat show this summer is unfortunate, but the work needs to be done.
"It's absolutely crazy in the Wharf. I mean, the docks are full of people. It was probably the busiest day in the Wharf last year that one day for the boat show, yes. It's very disappointing, but this street has to get done whether we like it or not," says Craigcowski.
Boat show officials say they plan to be at the Wharf for next summer. And hope to top the 6,000 visitors it had last summer.
The work on Highway 169 is expected to begin this June and take as long as three years to complete. Tenders for the project are expected to go out in the next several weeks.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
India's foreign minister reacts to murder charges, claims Canada welcomes criminals
India's Foreign Affairs Minister accused Canada of welcoming criminals from his country in response to the RCMP's recent arrests in a homicide that has roiled tensions between the two countries.
15-year-old boy stabbed in Ottawa on Thursday dies
A 15-year old boy who was critically injured after a stabbing in Nepean on Thursday has died of his injuries, Ottawa's English public school board said Sunday.
Dash cam catches moment suspected drunk driver hits parked car, sends it careening into North Shore flower shop
Police say it’s fortunate no one was injured or killed in a collision at North Vancouver’s Park and Tilford shopping centre Saturday evening that sent one vehicle careening into a flower shop and another into a set of concrete barriers outside a Winners store.
'A tiny city:' Pro-Palestinian campus protesters organize for another week
Pro-Palestinian activists have set up tents at universities in Toronto, Ottawa, Vancouver and Montreal, following a wave of similar protests at campuses in the United States linked to the Israel-Hamas war.
Lawsuit against Meta asks if Facebook users have right to control their feeds using external tools
Do social media users have the right to control what they see — or don't see — on their feeds?
Princess Anne lays wreath at Battle of Atlantic ceremony; honours late Queen
Princess Anne saluted Canadian veterans and current forces members and honoured her late mother during separate ceremonies Sunday in Victoria as she wrapped up a three-day British Columbia West Coast royal visit.
El Nino weakening doesn't mean cooler temperatures this summer, forecasters say
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
As storms moves across Texas, 1 child dies after being swept away in floodwaters
A child in Texas died Sunday after being swept away in floodwaters as storms swept across the state.
Nylander defends Leafs' core after playoff exit, Toronto again picks up the pieces
The Maple Leafs battled back from a 3-1 series deficit against the Boston Bruins with consecutive 2-1 victories - including one that required extra time - in their first-round playoff series to push the club's Original Six rival to the limit before suffering a devastating Game 7 overtime loss.