Focus:

Support Existing Tourism Attractions
Eco-tourism Development
Tour Train Upgrade
Gateway Site Development
Waterfront and Downtown Development

Recent Progress:

• A new five-year Strategic Plan was approved by Tourism Sault Ste. Marie, a division of the Sault Ste. Marie Economic Development Corporation.
   
• The Gateway Site Steering Committee is moving forward with a business plan to determine the type and scope of development, including a “best-bet” tourist attraction.
   
• The $10-million Agawa Canyon Tour Train coach improvements, along with $1.02 million in audio/video technology upgrade, are expected to be complete and ready for riders in the 2011 summer season.
   
• The community hosted a number of major events in 2010, including the Scotties Tournament of Hearts and Finn Grand Fest.  As well, the 2012 Canadian Adult Recreation Hockey Association World Cup was secured and, with 2,500 participants, it will be the single largest international sporting event in the history of Northern Ontario.
   
• Completion of a successful Downtown Development Initiative, which was designed to encouraged building façade improvements in the downtown core.  Government incentive investments totaling $1.355 million ($570,000 from the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs; $500,000 from FedNor; and $285,000 from the City) led to $9.8 million in spending from the private sector into this key area of the community.
   
• The Hub Trail and Waterfront Walkway projects are nearing completion.

West End Community Centre
With a $6.2-million investment from the provincial government, the city is constructing an $11.3-million community centre. The facility, scheduled to be complete in 2012, will feature two indoor soccer fields, a new home for the Korah Library and other amenities. From a tourism perspective, the WECC will allow Sault Ste. Marie to host many more events, particularly indoor soccer tourneys. Put simply, the announcement, made in December 2010, will be beneficial for sport tourism in the community.

[View Strategic Mind Maps]