$17-million redevelopment of Clergue Park and John Rowswell Park could attract $45 million in annual new spending to the city

City council will be asked next week to approve an ambitious master plan for Sault Ste. Marie’s waterfront, including a $17-million first phase that would redevelop Clergue and John Rowswell parks.

If councillors agree, the municipal accomodation tax charged on hotel rooms will be increased from four to six per cent effective Sept. 1 of this year, to help pay for the re-imagined waterfront.

“The master plan is just that – a plan for future development,” said Travis Anderson, the city’s director of tourism and community development.

“It will not be accomplished in one project but by an ongoing series of developments over the coming decades, paced by available funding, community priorities, and opportunities for co-investment with partners,” Anderson says in a report prepared for a city council meeting on Monday.

“This means the city can move forward in financially manageable stages, providing time to secure internal and external funds and assess the project’s success along the way.”

The $17-million Phase 1 includes Mayor Matthew Shoemaker’s vision for an urban beach. 

Here’s how Anderson describes the three major elements of the project:

• destination playground: This signature play space will feature large play structures akin to public art, modelled after imaginative designs, like the sturgeon-themed structure from Pier 26 in New York. The play features will be large enough to be visible from Sault Ste. Marie, Mich. enticing visitors to our waterfront. The multi-generational space combines artistic, nature-inspired elements with accessible equipment, fostering creativity and family interaction, making it a regional attraction for both residents and tourists.
• urban beach: inspired by Toronto’s Sugar Beach, this sandy waterfront area offers the opportunity to view enormous freighters passing through the St. Marys River while relaxing in features like beach umbrellas, Muskoka chairs, and tanning decks
• river pool: modelled after Ottawa’s NCC River House, the floating river pool in the St. Marys River will provide safe, supervised water recreation. With amenities like floating platforms and on-deck seating, it offers a unique urban swimming experience, promoting active lifestyles and attracting visitors

“Based on data collected from comparable projects, the destination playground, urban beach, and river pool are projected to increase the number of visits annually by upwards of 30 per cent,” Anderson says. 

That he says, could bring $45 million in annual new spending to the city.

“This increased visitation and spending will flow through our local economy, from dining and shopping to hotel night stays – the waterfront will become a powerful and consistent source of revenue for the community, laying the foundation for future phases.”

Based on the city’s previous success raising cash from government and private-sector sources, the city’s share of the project cost is estimated at less than $8.5 million. 

Anderson says the proposed two per cent increase in the municipal accommodation tax (MAT) “will not impact the competitiveness of local hotels as, on average, it is expected to translate into an additional $2.87 per room night cost. Additionally, room rates are, on average, $20 less than hotels in northeastern Ontario and $45 less than northwestern Ontario, so the proposed increase would be nominal.

“Further, several cities have already implemented a six per cent MAT, so Sault Ste. Marie is not an outlier in terms of MAT rates,” Anderson added.

The proposed tax hike on hotel rooms would generate $650,000 toward the park redevelopments.

The long-term plan for Sault Ste. Marie’s waterfront is intended to create a continuous tourism corridor from the Canal District to the Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre.

Anderson will also advise councillors on Monday of problems with the boardwalk.

“The shoreline beneath the waterfront boardwalk in Clergue Park has failed prematurely due to high water levels, placing the boardwalk and retaining wall at risk,” he says in his report. 

“To prevent closure, replacement of the retaining wall and boardwalk will be required, regardless of whether Phase 1 of the waterfront design master plan proceeds.

“A preliminary estimate to replace the wall is approximately $1 million in 2025 dollars; however further analysis is required to determine the final cost of the repair.

“Should capital funds be allocated to repairing the wall in the future, it is worth noting that the shoreline design in the plan provides long-term mitigation against fluctuating water levels,” Anderson says.

Monday’s city council meeting will be livestreamed on SooToday starting at 5 p.m.