SAULT STE. MARIE — A much-anticipated redevelopment of the former fish hatchery site in the Canal District is expected to include an all-seasons ice slide.
Plans for the $10-million project on Canal Drive include "a four-lane, chiller-equipped ice slide designed to serve as both a stand-alone draw and a complementary feature for festivals and community events," says Graham Atkinson, the city's manager of business developments.
"The Ice Slides are expected to attract local, regional, and cross-border visitors, with promotional efforts to be supported through strategic partnerships," Atkinson says in a report prepared for Monday night's city council meeting.
1188004 Ontario Ltd. (SIS Group), a holding company controlled by Tony Porco, will ask councillors to approve a $300,000 tax rebate for the development, $100,000 a year over three years.
The rebate will be conditional on:
- confirmation that funding from the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC), applied for independently from this request, is approved
- demonstration that job creation targets identified in the application are substantially met, with a minimum threshold of 80 per cent of the proposed 50 additional direct jobs realized
- evidence of meaningful partnerships with other local businesses (tourism operators, hoteliers, etc.) and community stakeholders, as outlined in the project proposal
1188004 Ontario Ltd. controls other Canal District developments including the Machine Shop and the Agawa Canyon Tour Train station.
"That site was bought by SIS and Tony Porco and that group of companies, that will revitalize it and make it into a tourism attraction," Mayor Shoemaker said in a video posted on social media late last week.
"As a result of that, the tax bill is going to increase on that property, which is good news for the city as a whole," the mayor said.
"This phases in the increase over multiple years, because there is a benefit to having it redeveloped. It tries to smooth that increase out over multiple years instead of hitting the new owner all at once while they're trying to create something vibrant in our downtown core," he added.
"The initiative is positioned as a strategic response to a current gap in extended visitor engagement, particularly during seasonal events such as the Agawa Canyon Tour Train in the fall and Bon Soo in the winter," Atkinson said in his report to council.
"According to the applicant, the proposed development — titled The Ice Slides — is intended to provide a consistent, weather-independent attraction that enhances the city’s existing tourism infrastructure."
Other aspects of the proposed redevelopment:
- climbing wall
- simulators
- interpretive exhibits (rail museum)
- car museum
- river observatory (to view marine activity)
- butterfly emporium
- bakery
- restaurant
- indoor putting park
- market
- outdoor adventure elements