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Downtown Revitalization Project

Welcome to the latest update on the Town of Gore Bay's Downtown Revitalization project! Our vision is to create a vibrant, accessible, and attractive downtown area that serves as the heart of our community. This initiative focuses on improving public spaces, enhancing accessibility, and supporting local businesses to build a welcoming and thriving downtown for all.

Project Phases & Timeline

To keep our community informed and engaged, we will regularly update you on the project’s progress. Here’s an outline of each phase and expected completion dates:

  • Phase 1: Planning and Design
    Key activities include community consultations, design planning, and preliminary assessments.
  • Phase 2: Infrastructure and Streetscape Improvements
    Construction on sidewalks, lighting, landscaping, and public spaces to enhance pedestrian access and downtown appeal.

Start Date: Summer of 2025
Expected Completion: October 2025

Project Highlights and Benefits

  • Enhanced Accessibility: Improved sidewalks, crosswalks, and street lighting for a safer, more accessible downtown.
  • Environmental Impact: Incorporating green spaces and additional trees, and new lighting.
  • Community and Business Growth: Opportunities for local businesses, more foot traffic, and a welcoming environment for residents and visitors alike.

How to Stay Informed

We’re committed to keeping the community updated on all project milestones. Here’s how you can stay connected:

  • Project Updates: Check back here for regular updates, or visit our social media channels on Facebook and Instagram.
  • Community Feedback: Have questions or feedback? Reach out to us via e-mail at hschlange@gorebay.ca.

For You and With You

Thank you for your patience and support as we work to create a vibrant and welcoming downtown area for the Town of Gore Bay! Together, we’re building a brighter future for our community.

The Town of Gore Bay is thrilled to announce that MCA Contracting Ltd. has been awarded the contract for the highly anticipated Downtown Revitalization Project. This milestone marks a major step forward in shaping a vibrant, future-ready downtown core while improving connectivity between the downtown area and the waterfront.

Following a competitive procurement process, MCA Contracting Ltd. emerged as the top supplier to bring the Town’s vision to life. With a strong reputation for excellence and a track record of delivering high-quality municipal projects, MCA Contracting Ltd. is set to transform the heart of Gore Bay into a dynamic hub where people can live, work, and play.

“This is a game-changer for Gore Bay,” said Ron Lane, Mayor of Gore Bay. “We are committed to making our downtown a more accessible, attractive, and economically thriving space. MCA Contracting Ltd. understands our vision, and we have every confidence in their ability to deliver a project that will shape the future of our community for generations”.

The Downtown Revitalization Project will include key upgrades such as improved streetscapes, accessible curbs, tree planting, and lighting—all designed to strengthen the Town’s identity and create a more engaging public space. A key component of the project is enhancing the connection between the downtown core and the marina, ensuring a seamless and inviting experience for residents and visitors alike. The revitalization is an essential part of Gore Bay’s long-term strategy to attract new residents, support local businesses, and foster economic growth.

MCA Contracting Ltd. has previously completed a main street revitalization project for the City of North Bay in 2024. With their experience and commitment to minimizing disruptions for local businesses, MCA Contracting Ltd. will be a valuable partner throughout this process.

The Town invites all residents and businesses to attend an open house, scheduled for April 3, 2025 starting at 5:30pm to 7:00pm. Town representatives and MCA Contracting Ltd. will be sharing the finalized design and further details about the project.

The Town is committed to ensuring the Downtown Revitalization Project reflects the needs and aspirations of Gore Bay’s residents and businesses, and we look forward to bringing this vision to life!

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For more information, please visit our website or contact Harry Schlange, the Town Manager/Clerk at hschlange@gorebay.ca or 705-282-2420 ext. 1.

The Town of Gore Bay will be completing sanitary sewer inspections along Meredith Street in support of the Downtown Revitalization Project. These inspections, conducted during the day on February 5, 2025, are an essential step in assessing the condition of our underground infrastructure before the commencement of construction.

During the inspection process, minor disruptions to traffic may be experienced, and we appreciate the community’s patience and cooperation.

Thank you for your continued support as we work to enhance the future of Gore Bay’s downtown.

Exciting progress is underway for the Town of Gore Bay’s Downtown Revitalization Project! We are pleased to announce that the tender for the project officially opened to the public on January 28, 2025 on the Biddingo website. This is a significant step forward in our efforts to enhance the heart of our Town and create a vibrant, welcoming space for residents, businesses, and visitors alike.

This revitalization project reflects the community’s vision of a more dynamic and appealing downtown core. It aims to improve public spaces, enhance the accessibility of the area, and foster a greater sense of community pride.

We thank everyone for their continued support of this project. For more information on the tender process or to access the tender package, please visit the Biddingo website.

Stay tuned for further updates as we continue moving forward with this exciting initiative!

The Town of Gore Bay is pleased to provide an update on the downtown revitalization project. With Council approval and funding secured, this transformative initiative will be moving forward in 2025 to enhance the vibrancy and appeal of our downtown.

As part of the early planning process, initial design concepts were shared and discussed during a meeting with local businesses and an open house with residents. 

Progress is already visible on Dawson Street, where sidewalk and lock stone improvements have been completed to align with the envisioned enhancements for Meredith Street. These changes set the stage for a cohesive and inviting downtown experience.

Additionally, Town staff recently visited Sault Ste. Marie to review their downtown revitalization efforts and gain insights from their successes and challenges. This trip also emphasized strategies on how best to support local businesses during the construction period and how to keep them open. Lessons learned from this visit will help refine our approach and strengthen the project's outcomes. 

The Town is currently reviewing the final designs, with anticipation of releasing the Request for Proposal (RFP) in late January 2025. The targeted timelines for this project are as follows:

  • Late January 2025: Release of Request for Proposal (RFP)
  • Late March 2025: Selection of Contractor
  • April/May 2025: Host public open houses to:
    • Share the project schedule
    • Share the final design; and
    • Meet the Contractor
  • Start of construction will be announced thereafter

(Please note that these timelines are subject to change).

The Town is committed to ensuring this revitalization reflects the needs and aspirations of Gore Bay’s residents and businesses. Stay tuned for further updates as we continue to bring this vision to life.

We are pleased to launch our project page, where you can stay up-to-date on Gore Bay’s exciting Downtown Revitalization project

The Downtown Revitalization project is part of our vision to create a vibrant, accessible, and attractive downtown area that serves as the heart of our community. Key elements of the project include improving public spaces, enhancing accessibility, supporting local businesses, and fostering a lively, connected hub for residents and visitors alike.

Here, you’ll find regular updates, project milestones, and details on future community meetings.

Please check this project page regularly for more updates.

Stay tuned for more details!

Listen to Mayor Ron Lane discuss the Downtown Revitalization Project with CTV News.

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