Civil and Municipal - Jan 2024

an extra kickstart to allow key projects to proceed.” As part of being development ready, the town completed capacity studies for both water and wastewater, and identified the growth-related infrastructure projects to support additional housing in the town. “We have undertaken the engineering and design work to support those key infrastructure projects. The province is asking us to do all this, but it would be great if they could put some money on the table too, to help move those infrastructure projects along. We certainly support more growth, and we’re working to achieve that goal.” Harris details a project to build a $32 million recreational complex in Parry Sound, and another investment of $200 million on a private development in the harbour. This project will be accomplished over the next several years, with phase one bringing a Marriott Hotel. With the community becoming a hotspot for conferences, this new hotel will be a welcome addition. “We see the hotel as part of the overall growth of the service industry,” says McGarvey. “We just had a new Best Western Plus built, and it is in demand. One of the other hotel operators that runs an excellent hotel said he was worried that it might affect his business, but it only seemed to grow, because there was more opportunity for even more conferences, and people coming to the area. The addition of a new Marriott Hotel, on the waterfront, will attract more interest in investing in the conference and resort sector here in Parry Sound.” A new mega school is also underway, which will encompass grades JK to 12, and a French language school recently opened in the community. “A lot is going on,” Harris admits. He mentions that the Town has been working with the province to declare the Ministry of Natural Resources property at 7 Bay Street surplus with the objective of relocating their operations, opening up waterfront lands for diverse development As the community continues to grow, strong partnerships with local construction companies, 53 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 5, ISSUE 01 PARRY SOUND, ON