Cycle Tour Launches Great Lakes Waterfront Trail Expansion in BruceGreySimcoe

(TORONTO – Saturday, August 7, 2021) – A group of enthusiastic cycle tourists begin their 6-day cycling holiday at Blue Mountain Village Inn. The Honourable Lisa MacLeod, Minister for Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries joins the Waterfront Regeneration Trust, honoured guests and cyclists at the opening ceremonies for the Great Waterfront Trail Adventure held in Blue Mountain Village Resort. The opening ceremonies celebrate the expansion of the Great Lakes Waterfront Trail into Bruce, Grey and Simcoe Counties. The group of dignitaries will inaugurate the route with a slow roll ride to the Blue Mountain Village Inn.

Presented by Waterfront Regeneration Trust, CAA South Central Ontario (CAA SCO) and waterfront communities in Bruce, Grey and Simcoe Counties, the 2021 Great Waterfront Trail Adventure (GWTA) is a six-day, 500 km cycling vacation starting in the Blue Mountain Village and travelling along the shores of Georgian Bay and Lake Huron for the first time. During the tour, they will visit 26 communities along the expanded Great Lakes Waterfront Trail. 

The expansion adds 600 km to the Trail, bringing the total kilometres to 3,600 and linking 155 communities. The expansion’s route primarily utilizes quiet roads with some trails, and connects 35 beaches, seven provincial parks, two national parks, six lighthouses, 18 conservation areas, and numerous local businesses in 26 communities along the shores of Georgian Bay and Lake Huron.

 

WHO: 70 cyclists from Ontario, Waterfront Regeneration Trust organizers and honoured guests, including:
 

• Hon. Lisa MacLeod, Minister of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries
• Andrew Siegwart - President Blue Mountain Village Association
• Tara Lovell, Manager of Public Relations, Blue Mountain Resort
• Marlaine Koehler, Executive Director of the Waterfront Regeneration Trust
• Bill Walker, MPP for Bruce, Grey, Owen Sound
• Selwyn Hicks,  Warden Grey County 
• Janice Jackson, Warden Bruce County 
• George Cornell, Warden Simcoe County 
• Alar Soever, Mayor, Town of Blue Mountains
• Cheryl Weldon, Director of Development, Greenbelt Foundation
• Tracy Nickelford, Manager Community Relations, CAA South Central Ontario

Honorary GWTA Tour Ambassadors:

• Bill Abbotts, 2021 Province of Ontario Senior of the Year Award for the Town of The Blue Mountains & long-time volunteer and supporter of Great Lakes Waterfront Trail
• Bev MacDougall, Sarnia Lambton

WHAT:  Waterfront Regeneration Trust presents regional political leaders with Great Lakes Waterfront Trail sign to celebrate the completion of the expansion of the Great Lakes Waterfront Trail into Bruce, Grey and Simcoe counties. After remarks and the signage presentation, Tour ambassadors will the lead the Minister, dignitaries and guests on a slow roll to Blue Mountain Village Inn where GWTA participants will be leaving in staggered groups of 10-12 cyclists for their 6-day cycle tour staycation.

WHEN/WHERE: Saturday August 7, 2021

LOCATION: Blue Mountain Village by the Blue Mountain Sign (see map). 234 Gord Canning Dr, Town of the Blue Mountains, ON. Park in the Staff Parking.
 

• 8:15 a.m. – Remarks.
• 8:30 a.m. – Signage presentation.
  PHOTO: Marlaine Koehler, Executive Director of the Waterfront Regeneration presents Minister Lisa MacLeod, MPP Bill Walker, Bruce Grey Owen Sound, Grey County Warden Selwyn Hicks, Simcoe County Warden George Cornell, Bill Sullivan, Executive Director Regional Tourism Organization 7, with a Great Lakes Waterfront Trail directional sign. The sign is used consistently to mark the 3600km Great Lakes Waterfront Trail.
• 8:35 a.m. Slow Roll Ride. 
  PHOTO: Bill Abbotts and Bev MacDougall, GWTA Tour Ambassadors lead Minister MacLeod and Waterfront Regeneration Trust executive director Marlaine Koehler on the inaugural ride of the expanded Great Lakes Waterfront Trail. They are joined by a group of 25 dignitaries and GWTA cycling participants.
  Dignitaries cycling include: Andrew Siegwart - President Blue Mountain Village Association, Bill Walker, MPP for Bruce, Grey, Owen Sound, Selwyn Hicks, Warden Grey County, Tracy Nickelford, Manager Community Relations, CAA South Central Ontario.

To view the six-day Great Waterfront Trail Adventure itinerary, click here.

The Waterfront Regeneration Trust (WRT) is a registered charity leading the movement for waterfront regeneration by creating the Great Lakes Waterfront Trail. The WRT is joined by CAA South Central Ontario, a long-time partner of WRT, and waterfront communities in Bruce, Grey and Simcoe Counties in organizing this year’s Great Waterfront Trail Adventure.
 

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For media inquiries contact:

Marlaine Koehler, Waterfront Regeneration Trust c: 416-520-4205