MIDLAND, ONT. -- The Miss Midland has spent the past four decades cruising the 30,000 Islands and attracting tourists to the small community.
Several years ago, the boat hit the market and had been closely watched by a Tobermory family.
"When I came to look at the whole boat, and the bottom was in really really good condition," said Mike Lee.
Lee said several years later, he came to the Dubeau family with an offer of $700,000, and in February, he signed the dotted line and purchased the 300 passenger ship.
"Our plans are to bring it up to Tobermory," said Lee. "We have named it Tobermory Legacy."
Lee is hopeful the newly named boat will begin touring the waters off the shores of Tobermory in the next few months.
According to Lee, the Tobermory Legacy will offer lunch and dinner cruises as it tours Flowerpot Island, Cove Island, and the Grotto. Along with sunset cruises on weekends.
"We have some ideas for people to see the deep shipwrecks," said Lee.
The sale marks an end to an era in Midland that has many locals upset that it couldn't remain in the harbour.
"It's heartbreaking to see it go," said Mike Ross, the deputy mayor of Midland.
Ross said he remains hopeful that a local boating company will step forward to fill the tourism void.
"We're always open, and we'll definitely put the feelers out. It's a very tight community, and I'm sure the tourist boating industry will notice that the Miss Midland has departed," said Lee.
The Miss Midland was docked metres from downtown bringing tourists to the area. Now that it is no longer, many area businesses are worried that they'll feel a financial hit.
"It kept the downtown very busy for at least 4-5 months," said Phil Karpathios, the owner of Phil's Pub.
"I feel it's pretty drastic. It brought a lot of business to the community, and a lot of people like touring on it— I know I do myself," said Theresa Marchildon of MegaMindful Living.
