Downtown Collingwood, Ontario, Canada, Town of Collingwood

Friday, June 25th, 2010 was an historic day in Collingwood Downtown. This was the day the downtown Collingwood waterfront was returned to the citizens of Collingwood for the first time in over 100 years, extending Hurontario Street to the shoreline. The massive Shipyards development opened the Waterfront Promenade to the public at a special Waterfront Promenade Park Dedication hosted by Collingwood's Town Crier, Ken Templeman.

In attendance at the ceremony was Slokker Real Estate Canada President Bruce Kerr. "The promise to redevelop the waterfront was our main objective. This project, no matter what, would open up the waterfront for the first time in 100 years for the public to enjoy" Kerr said.

Fred Serrafero, Vice President, FRAM Building Group, said that the opening of the Waterfront promenade is one phase of a multi-system park development. "The park including all the shoreline improvement work is about a 4.5 million dollar park" he said.

Mayor Chris Carrier spoke on behalf of the Town of Collingwood. "What a wonderful day for FRAM/Slokker and an even more wonderful day for the Town of Collingwood" Carrier said in welcome everyone to the ribbon cutting ceremony. "This development pays tribute to the community by the reconnecting of the waterfront to the whole community ... the people!"

BIA General Manager Sue Nicholson said extending Collingwood's main street to the water's edge will allow for easy access to the waterfront from anywhere in the downtown. "We'll be able to host many special events along the waterfront now that it is all a part of our downtown district" Nicholson said. "For example, our Canada Day celebrations in 2010 will be held downtown." In the past, the Canada Day celebrations involved holding events at Harbourview Park, outside of the downtown district.

For more information about The Shipyards development, visit www.theshipyards.com.