Progress in Gravenhurst

Here is downtown Gravenhurst (right) , which is losing out to the Muskoka Wharf traffic.
I don't know why they don't just fill in the bay with concrete!

The photo on the left is the new three-lane traffic that bypasses the big stores.



They are signs of the times.

For those familiar with Gravenhurst, you will not recognize the southern portion. The road has been changed and traffic is controlled with a new stop light. I simply hope that there is enough business to support these new stores. My personal assistant commented that the meat and fish were priced well beyond our budget, and we are careful where we shop.

These businesses must be aware that we have a broad socioeconomic range in the area, and highly-priced cuts of meat will not sell well in January, when the snowbirds have flown and those of us who cannot afford to fly similarly cannot afford the expensive products featured in these stores.

Part of the construction features some big box stores in a large mall. LCBO, Crappy Tire, and a grocery store. It bothers me, as I choose to shop in smaller, locally run stores, as I loathe the crowds, the big aisles, and an inability to find basic goods in a sea of products and non-food items.

Here is the newly finished sign, designed to replicate the old one. Not a great shot, as I took it from my video (below).
On the right is the sign as it was in progress.

The massive gateway has been recreated after a debate over a number of years regarding the cost of the sign replacement. At a cost of $220,000. It was meant to replace the most recent (1991) archway.

Gravenhurst arch construction starts in new year
The first arch gateway in Gravenhurst was constructed in 1874.
David Dawson, local architect and artist, (in May) shared the history of the many gates of Gravenhurst, starting with the lumberman’s arch that was built at the wharf in 1885 for the visit of the governor general.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A lot of new initiatives have been created as a result of bringing the G8 to Huntsville in 2010.

Entrance signs in Township of Muskoka Lakes get G8 funds
Karen Longwell writes:

"The $250,000 grant given to Muskoka Lakes Township April 14 as part of G8 funding will cover the cost of the project, said township CAO Walt Schmid. The balance of the funding will be used for tourism signage without concrete foundations, in areas such as Windermere and Glen Orchard, said Schmid."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This is my video of our brief trip through the newly redesigned town of Gravenhurst, on the way to delivering Josephine to her parents! I love car trips, and we had all sorts of things to amuse her. We talked about what laundry does (kchuk, kchuk!) and identified 'twuck', Gampa, camwa (she is a highly photographed young lady of 18 months!), and Gamma. We had fun on the bumpy roads. Train tracks are fun, too!

Downtown Gravenhurst!