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
Arson attacks paralyze French high-speed rail network hours before start of Olympics
Outgoing French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal said that sabotage and arson that hit key parts of France's high speed rail network on the eve of the Olympics had 'a clear objective: blocking the high speed train network.'
Canadian Olympic Committee CEO says soccer coach Bev Priestman likely aware of spying
Canadian Olympic Committee chief executive officer David Shoemaker says the head coach of the national women's soccer team was likely aware drones were used to spy on an opposing country's practices in France.
'She led it the whole way': 18-year-old B.C. woman leads hikers to safety in Jasper National Park
As fire threatened people in Jasper National Park, Colleen Knull sprung into action.
DEVELOPING Recent rain, cooler weather limiting spread of wildfires in Jasper National Park
Cool and wet weather is making a difference in Jasper National Park.
Search for missing vulnerable 3-year-old child in Mississauga, Ont. continues
Police say the search for a vulnerable child who went missing in Mississauga, Ont. Thursday evening continues. Three-year-old Zaid, who is described as possibly non-verbal, was last seen at 6:20 p.m. in Mississauga’s Erindale Park, near Dundas Street West and Mississauga Road. He was not wearing shoes or socks at the time.
opinion 'Deadpool and Wolverine' review: A love letter to a bygone era
'Deadpool and Wolverine' is a showcase for the bromance stylings of its stars, who pull out all the stops to cap Fox's Marvel movies.
Stay inside, filter indoor air amid wildfire smoke, respirologist says
A Calgary respirologist is advising people to regularly check the outdoor air quality and stay inside as smoke from the Jasper wildfires blows into other parts of Alberta and possibly beyond.
Canada to bring home fewest Olympic medals since 2012, according to forecaster
Fewer Canadians are expected to reach the Paris podium than in the previous two Olympic Summer Games, a global data analytics company predicts.
Mary-Ellen Turpel-Lafond likely has Indigenous DNA: report
The Law Society of British Columbia says a DNA test shows a former judge and Order of Canada recipient accused of falsely claiming to be Cree "most likely" has Indigenous heritage.