Sustainable Community Plan for the Town of Collingwood

TOWN OF COLLINGWOOD SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITY PLAN
For this plan, the Nottawasaga Region includes Collingwood and the three municipalities of:
• The Township of Clearview: One of the southernmost municipalities in the Georgian
Triangle, was established on January 1, 1994, by the amalgamation of the four
municipalities of the Town of Stayner, The Village of Creemore and the Townships of
Nottawasaga and Sunnidale;
• Town of Wasaga Beach: Nestled on the Southern shores of Georgian Bay and boasts the
longest fresh water beach in the world, the region has become the major recreation area
for the southern part of the province; and
• Town of The Blue Mountains: Formed in 1998, the new Town is an amalgamation of the
former Town of Thornbury and the former Township of Collingwood. 3
For planning purposes, it is important to also note that the towns included in the Nottawasaga
Region are in different counties. The County of Simcoe includes (among others) Collingwood,
Clearview and Wasaga Beach and The Town of The Blue Mountains is in the County of Grey.
1.4 Why Develop a Sustainable Community Plan?
Despite being a stable and progressive community, there are changes and
growth pressures that have led to the need to develop a SCP, including:
• Growing population;
• Economic transitions;
• Recreation and tourism demands;
• Vibrant and changing downtown core and commercial
environment; and
• Global forces of change.
Each of the drivers are presented in more detail below.
Growing Population
During the fifteen years between 1991 and 2006, Collingwood’s population grew by more than
20% to 17,290 (Statistics Canada 1991 and 2006). This growth in population is expected to
continue in the coming decades. Currently, there are over 6,000 proposed dwelling units under
review and development by Collingwood’s Planning Department.
Population projections for the Town range from 21,152 in the year 2021 4 to a 2031 population
within a range between 24,800 5 and 28,422. 6 Growth can be projected at close to 30,000 people
over the next 10 years, which represents a 30% increase from the estimated 2006 total of
23,000. 7 Census data and other municipal projections also show that population in the region
around Collingwood is also growing (Township of Clearview, Town of The Blue Mountains and the
Town of Wasaga Beach).
In addition to increasing population numbers, Statistics Canada projects an increase in the
percentage of residents over the age of 60 in the region (above the provincial average). The Town
will continue to attract an aging population. In 2006, about 34% of the population was over 55
3 Source: NottawasagaQuest Engagement Plan, 2007
4 Source: Town of Collingwood’s Official Plan, 2004
5 Source: Simcoe County Growth Management Directions Report, 2007
6 Source: Intergovernmental Action Plan, 2006
7 Source: Town of Collingwood Leisure Services Master Plan, Final Report January 2008.
4