Beach Drive Construction Update — February 27, 2026
4 things you need to know right now about beachfront and Beach Drive access
- Beach Drive is closed from Spruce Street to 3rd Street
- Sidewalks remain closed on Beach Drive between Main Street and 3rd Street
- The pedestrian crossing at Playland Parking Lot is closed
- The public can continue to access the beach at Beach Area 1 from the Town’s parking lot, off Spruce Street and at Third Street (parking continues to be available in the municipal lot on Third Street as well).
Work Completed This Week
- Crews conducted site maintenance throughout the project limits
- Crews continued the installation of the sheet piling wall on Beach Drive
Work Coming Up Next Week
- Site maintenance and snow removal within the project limits will continue as needed with weather conditions
- Installation of the sheet piling wall on Beach Drive will continue
- Storm sewer and sanitary sewer pipe installation will resume (weather dependant)
Reminder
These updates will continue on a bi-weekly basis over the winter months.
Why are we doing this?
Flooding & Climate Resilience
Beach Drive has long been prone to repeated flooding during high water events, which damages infrastructure, disrupts businesses and tourism, and renders the area inaccessible. As part of the rebuild, the road will be raised by about 5 feet (≈1.5 m) to mitigate flooding risks.
Economic Revitalization & Redevelopment
Beach Drive (and the surrounding “Beach Area 1” commercial strip) is the main economic corridor for the town’s tourism and business activity. The rebuild is already unlocking new investment aimed at diversifying the economy, growing tourism, creating jobs, and growing the town's commercial tax base. The project aligns with the Town’s Destination Wasaga vision and Downtown Redevelopment Master Plan.
Unlocking Further Development & Housing
By improving infrastructure and reducing the risk of flooding, the Town expects the area to become more attractive for private investment and development similar to the Village at Blue Mountain, including mixed-use buildings, hotels, commercial spaces, and new housing. The goal is to grow and reinvent the Beach Area 1 zone into a thriving hub of commerce and community that is sustainable beyond the short summer season. The province is partially funding the upgrade (about $10.9 million) under infrastructure and housing enabling programs.
Modernization & Infrastructure Upgrades
As part of the rebuild, the Town is redesigning Beach Drive to be more climate-resilient, with updated infrastructure, public space and safety improvements, improved accessibility, a better design, and better integration with commercial and community uses.
Good to Know
Vehicle Traffic
During this phase of construction, motorists are encouraged to slow down and familiarize themselves with the new road closures and traffic control measures that are in place. A little extra care will go a long way to ensure safety for everyone. 🖤
Pedestrian Traffic
Pedestrians are advised to take extra caution and stay out of fenced-off work areas. “Sidewalk Closed” signage will be installed in areas that are not accessible to the public. Pedestrians must observe and obey any restrictions that are in place for their own safety. The Town and Contractor have made every effort to make as much sidewalk accessible to the public as possible.
How will Access to my Property be Affected?
Where work is located within driveways or entrances to dwellings and/or businesses, temporary access modifications may be required. Full access will be restored as quickly as possible after the work is completed. Advanced notice of any scheduled access restrictions will be provided to the residents and businesses. We ask for your patience in such instances. Access for emergency vehicles will be maintained at all times.
Accessibility
We encourage residents with mobility limitations or other special requirements to contact the project team so their specific needs can be addressed. Due to the required work zone in the Municipal Parking Lot off Spruce Street, some accessible parking spaces will be unavailable during this phase of construction. There are several accessible parking spaces available in other municipal lots, including at 3rd Street.
How Will My Services Be Affected?
Telephone, hydro, cable TV, sewer and gas services should not be affected by construction, barring any unforeseen circumstances. You will be notified in advance if we expect any planned interruptions to your water supply. While we will do our absolute best, unplanned interruptions to services may occur. Your patience during these transformational times is appreciated – should something unplanned or unexpected occur, the Contractor is committed to restoring services as quickly as possible.
In the event of an unplanned disruption to services, residents are asked to contact one of the representatives from the Town, Arnott Construction or Tatham that you will find listed at the end of this newsletter.
Waste Collection
If construction operations interfere with regular garbage or recycling pickup, the Contractor will collect garbage and recycling containers from the end of each driveway on collection day and transport the containers to either end of the work site, where they can be picked up by the Town’s collection contractor. Please be sure to clearly label your bins with your address so that they can be returned. Bins must be left out at the end of your driveway by no later than 7:00 a.m. on collection days.
Safety
Arnott Construction Ltd. is dedicated to working safely – that’s why we create clear walking paths for pedestrians, mark hazards with traffic cones, and carefully control the flow of traffic. It’s also why we’re asking residents and visitors who may be travelling near the construction zone to take extra care and caution – and keep out of the fenced-off work areas. Safety first 🖤
Newsletters & Notices
Construction newsletters and notices are available on the Beachfront Construction Notices webpage of the Town of Wasaga Beach website, and available by email request to beachone@arnottgroup.com.
Who Do I Call If I Have a Problem?
Arnott Construction Ltd., Tatham and the Town of Wasaga Beach have designated site representatives to respond to public enquiries related to this project:
- The Contractor's Public Relations Officer (Sara Shaw) should be your first point of contact regarding any construction-related concerns.
- Please keep in mind that the Contractor should only be contacted outside of the normal working hours of 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. for emergencies or critical situations only.
Tatham Engineering Limited is administering the project on behalf of the Town of Wasaga Beach. If you have any questions regarding this construction project, you may also call or email a Tatham representative, as noted below, between the hours of 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM, Monday to Friday, and your call or email will be responded to as quickly as possible.
Thank you in advance for your patience, understanding and cooperation. Arnott Construction Ltd. is a proud partner in this project to redesign and rebuild Wasaga’s iconic Beach Drive.
Project Contacts
Arnott Construction Ltd.
Tatham Engineering Ltd.
Rob Haste (Field)
Site Inspector
rhaste@tathameng.com
Adam Timlock (Office)
Contract Administrator
705.888.4133
atimlock@tathameng.com
Town of Wasaga Beach
Mark Taylor, C.E.T,
Project Coordinator – Engineering
Public Works Department
705.429.2540 x 2337
mark.taylor@wasagabeach.com
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