Tuesday, July 2, 2013

Port McNicoll welcomes visitors to the newly restored SS Keewatin

PORT MCNICOLL – The SS Keewatin, an historic 1907 Canadian Pacific Great Lakes steamship is in its inaugural summer tourism season.

A launch event, held in Keewatin Park, featured Gil Blutrich, President of Skyline International Development presenting the ship’s bell back to the Friends of the Keewatin charitable foundation.
Senator Bob Runciman was the Master of Ceremonies and MP Bruce Stanton and Tay Township Mayor Scott Warnock were also on hand to take in the historic event.

 “Skyline is committed to the development of the Port McNicoll community,” said Michael Sneyd, CEO of Skyline.

“We’re thrilled to be on hand to celebrate the opening the SS Keewatin for its first full summer season. 
 
Gil Blutrich, President of Skyline International Development; Eric Conroy, President of Friends of the Keewatin; Mackenzie Brash, volunteer; Rich Desroches, volunteer; and Jim Clark, former Port McNicoll train conductor.
The Friends of the Keewatin have worked tirelessly since her return to get the ship ready for her debut and we are optimistic that the Township of Tay will expediently provide the necessary approvals to permit development of the next stages of Port McNicoll.”

Built five years before the titanic, this Edwardian vessel, a part of the Canadian Pacific Railway Great Lakes steamship fleet, saw more than 60 seasons as a passenger ferry from Port McNicoll to Port Arthur (Thunder Bay). The SS Keewatin was returned to Port McNicoll on June 23, 2012 where it became the centre of the Port McNicoll waterfront park and development.

 “I’m truly honoured to be able to have seen this project through from its inception into reality,” said Eric Conroy, President of the Friends of the Keewatin. “The SS Keewatin is an important piece of local, provincial and Canadian history that I’m thrilled to be able to share.” 

Port McNicoll boasts 6.5 miles of Georgian Bay waterfront with 1,126 acres of master planned community just 70 minutes from Toronto. Home to Canada’s finest fishing and fresh water boating, Port McNicoll is a unique opportunity to design your dream home or cottage. Just 11 home sites remain available on the first phase of the development, Swan Island. For more information visit www.portmcnicoll.ca.

This season the SS Keewatin celebrates one year since her return to Port McNicoll. For tour information, admission prices and updates visit www.sskeewatin.com.

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About Skyline International Development Inc.
A leading Toronto-based developer of hospitality properties and destination communities,
Skyline International Development owns over two million square feet of real estate, has over 2,600 acres with development rights for more than 7,000 residential units and nearly 1,300 rooms in its holdings, employing more than 1,500 staff. Its unique asset mix includes a partnership and management interest in Toronto's iconic King Edward Hotel, as well as ownership of, under the Skyline Hotels & Resorts brand, the city's contemporary boutique Cosmopolitan Hotel and Pantages Hotel. Skyline's resort assets include landmark Deerhurst Resort with 45,000 sq. ft. of meeting space lakeside in Muskoka, and Horseshoe Resort, home to Toronto's closest ski area as well as an adventure park. The company is also creating residential communities at Deerhurst, Horseshoe and, most extensively, at the historic lakefront of Port McNicoll, Ontario, a restored gateway to the 30,000 Islands, a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve. The privately owned company raised CDN $40 million from financial institutions to fund continued growth and acquire its first US asset, The Cleveland Arcade and Hyatt Regency. For more information see www.skylineinvestments.com.

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