Navigating the Downtown Waterfront

The Centennial Drive Area Improvements project consists of several phases of construction projects to improve the infrastructure and revitalize the downtown waterfront area.

Phase 1 - Currently Underway

The Centennial Drive Phase 1 Reconstruction Project includes the construction of the Cedar Island Road Sanitary Sewage Pump Station and Elgin Street reconstruction from Front Street South to Cedar Island Road.    

Phase 2 - Currently Underway

Phase 2 includes construction of local sanitary sewers and watermains on Centennial Drive to service redevelopment in the area, construction of large underground storm water quality control structures to improve the quality of the storm sewer discharge, burying of the existing overhead power lines, and road reconstruction and realignment in the Canice Street/Centennial Drive/Mississaga Street East corridor between Brant Street East and Front Street.

Phase 3 - Scheduled for summer 2023

Phase 3 of the Centennial Drive Area Improvements project includes the reconstruction/extension of Coldwater Street between Front Street North and Centennial Drive. Replacement of the existing large diameter storm sewers and extension of the existing watermain are also included. 

Visit orillia.ca/centennial for details on the Centennial Drive Area Improvements Project.

In 2012, the City adopted the Downtown Tomorrow Plan, which set out a long term vision to better connect the downtown core and waterfront area. In 2016, the City acquired 70 Front Street North, an underutilized parcel of land which contained a large commercial plaza, with the intent to extend Coldwater Street to Centennial Drive and facilitate redevelopment of the southern portion of the plaza.

As a shared vision between the City and the developer is crucial to the success of this project, the 9.75-acre site was sold through two phases. The first phase was the Request for Qualifications (RFQ), which determined a shortlist of qualified proponents who share Council’s vision. The second phase was the Request for Proposals (RFP), which invited the shortlisted proponents to submit their detailed redevelopment proposal for the site.

In 2021, FRAM Building Group was selected as the preferred proponent for the Waterfront Redevelopment Project. The property sale to FRAM Building Group (FRAM) was completed on April 5, 2022. Moving forward, the concept will be further developed and refined through the development approval process.

As a result of the reconstruction and realignment of Centennial Drive taking place along the frontage of Centennial Park, it will be necessary to reconstruct the boat launch parking area to ensure that vehicular movement through the parking lot functions safely with the new entrances, and also to ensure that the former Centennial Drive road bed is integrated into the park and parking area. This area of the park is being reconfigured in the area of the boat launch and the existing French's Stand. The proposed refurbishment of this area of the waterfront was studied through the Downtown Waterfront Parkland Design Study and further reviewed by a committee of Council in the selection of a preferred design option. 

For more information, please visit the project webpage.

This project is the first phase of the reconstruction of Laclie Street between Neywash Street and Murray Street. It involves the reconstruction of Laclie Street from Neywash Street to approximately 50m north of Borland Street East and the reconstruction of the Tecumseth Street including the replacement of existing sidewalk, storm, sanitary and watermain from the western limit of the new Centennial Drive alignment to the Laclie Street intersection. 

For more information, please visit the project webpage.

The Terry Fox Circle project is anticipated to take place in 2024 (subject to Council budget approval), the reconstruction project is to address the condition of the Terry Fox Circle within Couchiching Beach Park and to address identified safety issues, increased park usage, and the amount of usable greenspace in the park closest to the waters edge.

For more information, please visit the project webpage.

To assist with getting residents and visitors to and from the downtown waterfront, a convenient shuttle service will be available this summer. The City of Orillia is launching a shuttle pilot program to provide  transportation to Couchiching Beach Park starting on May 20. 

The City will start with a 10-passenger shuttle, with the ability to increase the size of shuttle if the demand for usage increases. 

Pick up will be from Municipal Parking Lot 6, located at 107 West St. S., which is accessible from West Street South or Andrew Street South.  Drop off will be at the Jarvis Street entrance of Couchiching Beach Park. The Sunshine Shuttle to and from Couchiching Beach Park will be free with flat parking fee of $30 per day for vehicles to park in Lot 6. Parking can be paid by using the Passport Parking mobile application. The Passport Parking app is user friendly and available to download from all major app stores. 

The Sunshine Shuttle will operate with a 20-minute cycle during peak waterfront usage times on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and holiday Mondays from May 20 to Sept. 4, 2023.

Operating Hours:
Fridays: 3 to 8 p.m.
Saturdays: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Sundays: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Holiday Mondays: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Daytime festivities will take place at Foundry Park/the Orillia Recreation Centre at 255 West St. S. from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on July 1. Activities include the pancake breakfast, wheeley great parade, children’s village crafts and face painting, and the popular Canada Day birthday cake. In addition, special programming will be offered at the Orillia Recreation Centre, including open gym and an open swim throughout the day.

Canada Day fireworks will take place at dusk at J.B. Tudhope Memorial Park.

Please visit the Canada Day Committee webpage for details.