Contact(s)
Port of Orillia Dredging Project Underway
The Port of Orillia dredging project is a substantial construction project between the Waterfront Centre and the break walls that will provide enhancements to the Port of Orillia including:
- removal of vegetative growth;
- restoration of historic lake levels through removal of sediment;
- greater opportunity for the facility to accommodate larger vessels;
- greater ability to navigate the port.
Project Budget: $1,600,000 for dredging and site remediation.
Project Timeline: The construction project commenced in December 2024 and is anticipated to be completed by March, 2025.
Avoid the Dredging Area and Surrounding Ice
During this project, the boat launch and a portion of the parking lot at the Orillia Waterfront Centre will be closed to the public. The paved trail and fishing pier will remain open. While the project is underway, active dredging will keep the water moving and break ice during the process, preventing thick ice from forming.
To ensure public safety during ongoing dredging operations, we strongly advise all individuals to stay out of the designated dredging area and away from nearby ice. Ice in and around the dredging site is unstable and unsafe, posing significant risks to snowmobilers, ice fishers, and pedestrians.
Stay Clear: Avoid the dredging zone entirely, as machinery and changing water conditions make the area highly dangerous.
Unpredictable Ice: Ice in the downtown waterfront area and past the break walls at the Port of Orillia may be thin, slushy, or weakened by currents, even if it appears solid.
Restricted Access: Do not enter or attempt to use the ice within or around the project area under any circumstances.
| Why is dredging happening at the Port of Orillia? |
| Over time, sediment has built up in the Port, making it hard for bigger boats to use the docks. Dredging will make the water deeper and easier for boats to use. |
| When is the dredging happening? |
| The construction project commenced in December 2024 and is anticipated to be completed by March 2025. |
|
Will ice form in the dredging area? |
| No, barges will keep the water moving, so ice won’t form in the area. |
|
Is it safe to use the ice near the dredging area? |
| No, the ice in the area will not be safe. The ice in and near the dredging area will not be strong enough to walk, fish, skate, or snowmobile on. Do not enter or attempt to use the ice within or around the project area under any circumstances. |
|
Can I still use the lake outside of the dredging area? |
|
No ice is safe ice. Know the Risks: Assess conditions carefully and stay alert. Check Ice Thickness: Clear, hard ice should be at least 10 cm (4 inches) thick for walking, 12 cm (5 inches) for snowmobiles or ATVs, and 20-30 cm (8-12 inches) for cars, full-size pick-up truck - 12-15 inches (30-38 cm). Avoid Risky Ice Conditions: Steer clear of slushy ice, areas near moving water, and thawed/refrozen ice, which are all dangerous. Be Prepared: Always wear a lifejacket or flotation suit and carry ice picks for self-rescue. Never Go Alone: Always venture onto the ice with a companion and inform someone of your plans. Visit the Ontario Lifesaving Society website for more information regarding ice and water safety. |
| General Ice Safety Tips |
| Know the Risks: No Ice is safe ice. Assess conditions carefully and stay alert.
Check Ice Thickness: Clear, hard ice should be at least 10 cm (4 inches) thick for walking, 12 cm (5 inches) for snowmobiles or ATVs, and 20-30 cm (8-12 inches) for cars, full-size pick-up truck - 12-15 inches (30-38 cm). Avoid Risky Ice Conditions: Steer clear of slushy ice, areas near moving water, and thawed/refrozen ice, which are all dangerous. Be Prepared: Always wear a lifejacket or flotation suit and carry ice picks for self-rescue. Never Go Alone: Always venture onto the ice with a companion and inform someone of your plans. Visit the Ontario Lifesaving Society website for more information regarding ice and water safety. |
| Who do I contact for more information: |
| For more information, please contact the Manager of Facility Operations at mbuma@orillia.ca |
Other Waterfront Construction Projects
| Centennial Boat Launch Parking Lot Reconstruction Project - Complete |
|
The Centennial Park Boat Launch Parking Lot reopens Friday, July 26. The reconstruction project began in April and included full reconstruction of the parking lot to organize and improve public parking opportunities, enhance the parkland configuration, improve pedestrian safety, and provide additional resting and picnic areas close to the boat launch and waterfront. The newly reconstructed lot has a flexible parking space layout that can accommodate up to 81 vehicle parking spaces, or up to 19 vehicles plus boat trailer parking spaces along with 43 vehicle parking spaces. There are new seating areas providing waterfront views that can be used for picnicking or relaxation and specific areas within the park that can be programed for food vending or special events. Minor finishing works such as completion of the retaining wall and plaza adjacent to French’s Stand will be completed in the coming weeks. This does not impede the use of the parking lot or boat launch ramp. A reminder that parking in the Centennial Park Boat Launch Parking lot is free for regular vehicles; however, the City’s Boat Trailer Parking Program is in effect seven days a week (Monday through Sunday) from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. until Oct. 15 for vehicles with boat trailers. Orillia residents, and those who pay taxes directly to the City, can park their boat trailer for free by displaying a 2024 Resident Boat Trailer Parking Permit. Without a permit, the rate to park with a boat trailer is $10 per hour, maximum $50 per day. Learn more at orillia.ca/parking. The Centennial Park Boat Launch Reconstruction project was approved by Council in 2022 with a budget of $1.5 million. For more information on the project, please visit orillia.ca. |
| Laclie Street Reconstruction Phase 2 - Complete |
|
The second phase of the Laclie Street Reconstruction Project, from Borland Street to Parkhurst Crescent, is now complete and consists of road reconstruction and infrastructure replacement, including new watermain, sanitary and stormwater sewers, new sidewalks, and new traffic signals at North Street. For more information, please visit the project webpage. |
| Waterfront Redevelopment Project - Currently Underway |
|
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. |
| Terry Fox Circle Project - Anticipated for 2025 |
|
The Terry Fox Circle project is anticipated to take place in 2025, 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. |
| Centennial Drive Area Improvements - Complete |
|
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 - Complete 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 - Complete 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 - Complete 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. |
