Port of Orillia officially opens for the season

The Port of Orillia is ready for the boating season to get underway.

The Port of Orillia is officially open for the season, marking the start of what officials and businesses hope will be a busy and profitable summer on the water.

The City of Orillia has now taken over management of the port under a new agreement that runs until 2028. The agreement ensures the Orillia and District Chamber Of Commerce will continue operating the port’s docking services and work to generate revenue.

While the slips may look empty for now, staff are already hard at work preparing the 220 slips that will soon be in use.

“So, right now, just checking all the power boxes, putting locks on them, and then tomorrow we will be cleaning all the docks and getting everything ready for the boaters to come in,” said port manager Greg Allerston.

The port’s harbour master and executive director of the Chamber of Commerce, Allan Lafontaine, is banking on a strong turnout from American visitors, especially given the low Canadian dollar making visiting north of the border more appealing.

“They get here generally around July and then spend July and August here,” explained Lafontaine. “I expect we will have a great season and they’ll see Canadians aren’t nasty. We are a great group of people and a fun place to be.”

For locals like Tyler Johnson, the waterfront is more than just a seasonal attraction - it’s a beloved piece of home. “I absolutely love to come down here to fish. I don’t have a boat, so shore fishing is all I get to do, and this is probably one of the best spots to do it. Everything about it is absolutely beautiful.”

The port is equipped with electrical hook-ups, showers and washrooms, but doesn’t offer fuel or pump-out services. Nearby marinas are also prepared for the season with some finishing touches on the go after the recent ice storm.