Farkas: Wasaga Needs a Plan for the Years Between Demolition and Destination
Mayoral candidate calls for a measurable strategy to keep visitors coming and local economic activity strong during beachfront redevelopment
WASAGA BEACH, ON – August 20, 2026
As Wasaga Beach rebuilds its beachfront, mayoral candidate Leslie Farkas is calling for a multi-year economic transition plan focused on a simple question:
How do we keep people coming to Wasaga Beach while we build the destination of the future?
Farkas says he supports investment and redevelopment at Beach Area 1, but argues that managing construction is only part of the job.
“Building the beachfront is one challenge. Managing the years between demolition and destination is another,” said Farkas. “We need a plan for both.”
The proposal follows a recent Business Roundtable with local entrepreneurs, where participants raised concerns about visitor traffic, disruption, communication and operating through a prolonged period of change.
“The construction is concentrated at the beachfront, but businesses throughout Wasaga Beach rely on visitors continuing to come to town, stay longer and spend locally,” said Farkas.
Measure the Economic Transition
Farkas says a redevelopment of this scale should include measurable objectives for visitor activity, local economic activity, access, parking, promotion and business engagement throughout the construction period.
Results should be tracked and reported publicly so the Town can adjust when something is not working.
“Construction updates tell us what is being built,” said Farkas. “We also need to know what we are doing to keep Wasaga Beach active and competitive while it is being built.”
Promote the Wasaga Beach People Can Enjoy Today
Farkas is calling for a stronger, coordinated effort to promote restaurants, shops, attractions and experiences throughout town during redevelopment.
“We talk a lot about the Wasaga Beach we are building for tomorrow,” he said. “We need to be just as aggressive about promoting the Wasaga Beach people can visit, shop, dine and enjoy today.”
Bring Business Into the Conversation Earlier
Farkas would continue regular business roundtables and push for earlier consultation when major municipal decisions could affect local economic activity.
“The best time to hear from businesses is before decisions are locked in, while there is still an opportunity to improve how change is managed.”
Farkas acknowledged that the Town has taken steps to manage construction access, parking, communication and wayfinding.
“This is not about pretending nothing is being done,” he said. “It is about recognizing that construction management and economic management are not the same thing.”
Farkas says the debate should not be framed as redevelopment versus local business.
“We should be able to build for the future, protect the economic activity we have today, and support the businesses that have supported our community for years,” he said.
“The beach brings people to Wasaga. Our job during redevelopment is to keep giving them reasons to come, stay and spend.”
For more information:
Leslie Farkas
416-509-1301
