COMMUNITY PROFILE
Set Your Sights on Meaford
Welcome to the Municipality of Meaford, on the southern shore of Georgian Bay. The Municipality of Meaford is a fascinating, four-season destination that has it all: fresh local food, unique shopping, nature at your doorstep, a beautiful waterfront, and hundreds of local charms and amenities awaiting your discovery. Our charming, historic downtown district features Meaford Hall – a restored 330-seat theatre, concert and cinema venue, plus distinctive boutiques, eclectic eateries and services of all kinds. Just a few minutes away, you’ll find acres of rolling countryside, charming historic villages, sandy beaches and unspoiled natural areas.
table of contents Reasons To Invest................................................................................ 4-5 Location.................................................................................................... 6 County of Grey ................................................................................... 7-8 Municipality of Meaford......................................................................... 9 Population Trend.................................................................................. 10 Affordability ......................................................................................... 11 Real Estate Activity .............................................................................. 12 What Makes Meaford Unique ............................................................ 13 Lifestyle - Premier Parks...................................................................... 14 Lifestyle - Trails..................................................................................... 15 Lifestyle - Recreation .......................................................................... 16 Arts & Culture ..................................................................................... 17 Library.................................................................................................... 18 Tourism ................................................................................................. 19 Harbour / Marina ................................................................................ 20 Health Services .................................................................................... 21 Waterfront Strategy & Master Plan ............................................. 22-23 Agribusiness ......................................................................................... 24 Education .............................................................................................. 25 Municipal Incentives ...................................................................... 26-27 Business Organizations ....................................................................... 28 Service Clubs.......................................................................................... 29
Development Charges ........................................................................ 30
MUNICIPALITY OF MEAFORD
Reasons to Invest Location: Meaford is located within the popular tourism region, the Georgian
Triangle, and is only a short two hours to the Greater Toronto area. Meaford is closely connected to Ontario’s major 400 series highway system with a connection in Barrie. Highway 26, which travels through downtown Meaford, has millions of commuters annually. The Community of Rockford’s business areas primarily serve the nearby market of Owen Sound.
Affordability: Meaford is an affordable place to live in comparison to many
communities in southern Ontario. Meaford has quickly become a destination of choice amongst those looking to retire from the urban centres of southern Ontario and is an attractive place for young families because of the unmatched amenities offered locally and within the region.
Lifestyle: The Municipality of Meaford offers a balance between work and
pleasure in an awe-inspiring natural environment. For decades, people have been drawn by the natural beauty of the landscape, the water, and charming authenticity of its urban centre with a rural community feel. Meaford’s lifestyle offers more leisure time to enjoy a variety of recreational opportunities.
Arts & Culture:
Meaford is the cultural destination within Grey County with the Meaford Hall Arts and Cultural Centre operating as the main attraction. Home to outstanding live performances, rotating art displays, and enriching lifelong learning classes. The Meaford region is rich with cultural history including being the resting place of Canadian icon, artist Tom Thomson. Meaford is also home to the canine hero Beautiful Joe, who inspired the bestselling novel “Beautiful Joe”, which contributed to worldwide awareness of animal cruelty, written by Margaret Saunders in 1893.
4
MUNICIPALITY OF MEAFORD Tourism: Meaford has a vibrant tourism economy with numerous outdoor
activities and award winning festivals and events. Meaford is well known for outstanding agri-tourism due to its unique growing opportunities and the beautiful trail systems attract visitors from all over the world.
Waterfront: The redevelopment of the waterfront is expected to be a key
element of future investments. Through the Meaford Waterfront Master Plan, a multi-million dollar redevelopment is planned for the urban waterfront that will support revitalization of the downtown commercial core, bring new commercial developments to the harbour area, and sought-after residential condominium developments.
Education:
The Municipality of Meaford hosts high quality education facilities and programs for all ages. This includes lifelong learning opportunities within the Municipality and a regional college campus located in nearby Owen Sound and Collingwood. Meaford hosts a federal training facility for the Canadian Forces and a new Jk - Grade 12 School to be built by 2020.
Healthcare: Meaford is proud to have a local hospital that offers a wide range of specialty services, including 20 inpatient beds. A new modern medical clinic opened in the fall of 2014 and offers local residents access to new equipment and has assisted in the recruitment of new doctors to the Municipality. For services not available in Meaford, the Grey Bruce Health Services Owen Sound Hospital is located 5 minutes outside of the Municipality of Meaford. Meaford has quality options for those seeking long term care facilities.
Agribusiness: Meaford’s geography and micro-climate allow it to produce a wide variety of agricultural products. These include apples, garlic, hops, herbs, honey and maple syrup. Recent growth has occurred in organic farming, local wineries, breweries and cideries. The Farmers’ Market in Meaford has allowed local producers to showcase their products and is a hub for collaboration and business exchange for producers.
5
LOCATION Meaford is conveniently located between the City of Owen Sound and the Town of Blue Mountains. Urban Meaford is located along Provincial Highway 26, which sees over 7 million commuters annually travel into our harbour-side downtown. Highway 26 also provides an easy connection to Ontario’s major 400 series highway system in nearby Barrie. Within a one-hour distance of Meaford is a marketplace of more than 100,000 people and within a two-hour drive is a market of millions. Five minutes east of the City of Owen Sound along highway 26, located in the Municipality of Meaford, is the Owen Sound Billy Bishop Regional Airport serving Grey and Bruce Counties.
DISTANCE TO MARKETS Blue Mountains...................... 15km Owen Sound.......................... 30km Collingwood........................... 34km Barrie.....................................89km Orangeville......................... 102km Brampton............................. 138km Toronto................................ 180km Guelph................................. 134km Kitchener............................. 148km Niagara Falls........................ 265km
6
COUNTY OF GREY The Municipality of Meaford is located within the County of Grey. Grey County is a family of nine distinct rural municipalities that values its heritage, natural beauty, clean and healthy environment, and a relaxed and family-oriented rural lifestyle. As the fourth largest county in Ontario, Grey County covers an area of 4,513.21 square kilometers and is home to 93,830 residents. Grey County today is as diverse as it is expansive, encompassing: • Rich and productive farmland with almost 2,250 farms and over 200,000 hectares of farmed land. Grey is the number one producer of apples, sheep, barley & mixed grains in Ontario. • Leading edge agri-businesses; • Manufacturing, engineering, printing and business service firms of national and international stature; • An active Great Lakes shipping port; • A strong regional and rural health care system, • Exceptional cultural industries and renowned community celebrations; • Blue Mountain, Ontario’s largest four-season resort; • World-class, year-round recreation opportunities; and
7
COUNTY OF GREY COUNTY OF GREY The municipalities within Grey County are The municipalities framed byCounty the breathwithin Grey are framed the breath-of Lake takingby landscapes taking of Huronlandscapes and Georgian Bay, Lake Huron and lush river valleys and Georgian Bay, verdant the renowned of river valleys and wonders the renowned wonders of the Niagara Escarpment.
the Niagara Grey County offers Escarpment.
the sophistication and Grey County offers the convenience of urban sophistication and living and the timeless convenience of urban charm ofthe small town living and timeless and rural Ontario, charm of small town all and ruralby Ontario, all linked an excellent linked by an excellent road system, two road system, two regional airports, and an regional airports, and expanding an expandinghigh highspeed speed internet network internet network available available in allcentres urban in all urban centres and most rural and most rural areas. areas. More More demographic and demographic and economicinformation information economic isisavailable availableatat www. www.investingrey.ca investingrey.ca DRAFT
8
7
MUNICIPALITY OF MEAFORD The Municipality of Meaford is a collection of a number of villages and communities including Annan, Bognor, Leith, Rockford, Woodford and urban Meaford.. As indicated on the map below, a large area of the Municipality is home to the Land Force Central Training Area for the Canadian Forces which has over 600 soldiers in training on any given week. The urban centre of Meaford is primed for new growth and presently has capacity in both water and wastewater systems to service the current and future developments based on current projections. The community of Rockford, located along highway 6 and 10, primarily serves the City of Owen Sound marketplace and has room for growth.
Meaford has a population of 11,100 permanent residents. 9
POPULATION TREND POPULATION POPULATION TREND
TREND
Municipality of Meaford
Number of People
2500
2000
1500
2006
1000
2011
500
0
0-9
10-19
20-29
30-39
40-49
50-59
60-69
75+
Age Range
Population 11500 11000 10500 10000 9500 9000 Source of Statistics Canada 2016 Census on this page. 1991 1996 10 2001 2006 2011 DRAFT Population
9
AFFORDABILITY Meaford has outstanding new housing developments to choose from in both the urban and rural areas. You can find beautifully maintained older homes in charming, historic neighbourhoods. These choices are available at a fraction of the cost of homes in a major urban centre, and most choices in the urban area are within walking distance of downtown, beautiful parks, and the waterfront. The rural areas offer waterfront properties and panoramic countryside views that simply cannot be matched. Whether it’s a weekend retreat, summer home, condominium living, retirement living or a new beginning, the Municipality of Meaford is a buyers market budding with potential. The Municipality of Meaford’s tax rates are comparable to other area municipalities and the strong average residential assessment reflects the attraction people have to this region as well as the high quality of housing options. source: Markettrends.trimap.com
Average MPAC Assessment Rates Grey County – 2016 Meaford Owen Sound Georgian Bluffs Chatsworth West Grey Southgate Grey Highlands Hanover Town of Blue Mountains
$245,000 $204,000 $255,000 $224,000 $228,000 $233,000 $229,000 $200,000 $403,000
11
Real Estate Activity
CTIVITY
2014 Sales t5hBeeSdur ob owma y, 3i nBTaot hr ohnot ou .s eN col ogsaer atgoe . Listing Price
3 Bedroom, 3 Bath house located on the waterfront with an attached 2 car garage. Listing Price $969,000
$1,049,999
% % % % % %
The Municipality of Meaford’s real estate market is hot! In fact, 2016 was a record year for the Municipality of Meaford which saw a total number of permits rise to 371, including 33 new homes, 24 multi residential units and a total value of 27.7 million. As of August 2017, the building statistics have already surpassed the 2016 record and there are ot! Theover notable in sales 800increase new residential units in various stages of the planning process which have not tinued affordability and applied for building as oneyet of Canada’s premier four permits.
purchases of cottages, second ess investment.
014
ne
269,063 335,925 332,013 336,492
Average Price of a house in the Municipality of Meaford in August 2013 $266,805
2014 $286,290
2015 $307,085
12
2016 $329,978
2017 $404,611
LIFESTYLE
what makes Meaford unique: Meaford’s distinctive geography and climate support this area being a major apple producer or about 24% of Ontario’s apples. Meaford is a dog, friendly community rich in canine culture. Meaford’s historical connection to dogs is rooted in the book Beautiful Joe that highlighted the plight of domestic animals everywhere. Written by Margaret Marshall Saunders, it was the first Canadian children’s book to sell over seven million copies by the late 1930s. Meaford is proud of its culture of recycling. Meaford won the award in 2011 as Ontario’s top recycling community and placed in the top four in 2010 and 2012. The community of Leith in the Municipality of Meaford was the home of renowned Canadian artist Tom Thomson for 15 years of his early life and is now his final resting place near the historic Leith Church. Another famous Canadian artist, Carl Ahrens spent summers in Leith and was inspired by the beauty of this area.
13
LIFESTYLE - Premier Parks McCarroll Park and Fred Raper Park, located along the Meaford harbour front, offer hours of entertainment for families with various playground equipment, a splash pad, picnic areas, sandy beach, free parking and clean public washrooms.
Beautiful Joe Park is a memorial to the dog featured in the internationally acclaimed true Meaford story Beautiful Joe written by Margaret Marshall Saunders who championed both women’s and animal rights in Canada. The park is a beautiful, shady sanctuary encompassed by the Big Head River and just a short walk from downtown Meaford.
One of Ontario’s few waterfront campgrounds, Memorial Park offers a public beach, camping, mini golf, picnic shelters, public washrooms, trails and recreational facilities. It is a popular summer attraction and includes a section of beach that is dog friendly.
Beautiful Joe Off Leash fenced-in Dog Park reinforces the local love for canines as it offers a spot for dogs owners to socialize and allow their canine friends some recreational time.
14
LIFESTYLE - Trails Among Meaford’s amazing geography is a network of scenic trails. The Georgian Trail which follows the old Northern Rail Line from Meaford to Collingwood is a wonderful, accessible trail for cycling or hiking. It seems no matter what road you take, you’ll come upon access to sections of the famous Bruce Trail as it winds and doubles back through the beautiful Niagara Escarpment. Bognor Marsh offers almost 12km of hiking trails, unique flora and fauna. Then there’s the wonderful Trout Hollow Trail along the Bighead River, and the rugged trail through Bayview Escarpment Nature Reserve. The newest addition to the local trail network, the Tom Thomson Trail winds its way from the west edge of the Meaford waterfront, near the resting place of Tom Thomson in Leith, ending at the Bayshore Community Centre in Owen Sound. 15
LIFESTYLE - Recreation Meaford is bursting with opportunities to keep busy, learn new skills and stay active. Meaford boasts groups that feature everything from competitive and recreational sporting activities to cultural activities. This includes multiple picturesque and challenging golf courses, tennis courts, baseball diamonds, soccer pitches, a running track, an outdoor swimming pool, skate park, and lawn bowling.
Indoor facilities include a curling rink, an ice rink that hosts the local Meaford Knights tier two Junior A hockey team, and well equipped community centres offering various recreational programming for all ages. Some of our most popular programs include: Dance and fitness programs, yoga, an indoor walking club and skating clubs. Meaford also offers classes in the culinary arts, quilting and painting classes for the art enthusiasts.
16
ARTS & CULTURE delights all those who visit to learn about it. At the Meaford Museum, you will learn about people including the Man with the Iron Hands (Andrew Gawley), John Muir, Margaret Marshall Saunders, Â local soldiers and much more. In fact, John Muir who is considered the founder of the Sierra Club and the United States National Park systems spent a few years in Meaford studying the area flora.
Meaford Hall Arts & Culture Centre is located in the historic downtown of Meaford. It is a beautifully restored century, old landmark.
The museum also happens to be a stop on the award-winning Apple Pie Trail. You can pick up some apple products and learn about the rich culture of apple growing in the region. The Meaford Museum is the key place to visit if you're looking for any Meaford souvenirs at their popular gift shop.
As a four-season venue, Meaford Hall plays host to a variety of events including live theatre, music, films, dance, and entertainment for community, corporate and social events. The theatre has seating for 330. Approximately 55,000 people come through the Hall in a year. Meaford has a robust and unique history that transcends its borders and
17
LIBRARY SERVICES The Municipality of Meaford is serviced by two area Libraries. The residents in the western area of the Municipality are served by the Owen Sound & North Grey Union Public Library in nearby Owen Sound and the rest of the Municipality is serviced by the Meaford Public Library located in urban Meaford.
Meaford Public Library is a busy full-service library that serves the bustling community of Meaford with programming, services and resources for all ages. The library offers a wide variety of programs and services as well as a large collection of books, DVDs, audiobooks, e-books, magazines, music CDs and even fishing poles! Library cards are free of charge.
THe image below is an artist rendition of the latest concept for the new state of the art, accessible Meaford Public Library that will be open by 2020 in urban Meaford.
18
TOURISM Meaford enjoys a healthy tourism economy, highlighted by places such as Meaford Hall, Memorial Park Campground, Meaford Museum, Beautiful Joe Park, Meaford Harbour and local sports facilities. Meaford’s tourism economy operates yearround, and remains strongest through summer and into late autumn. Meaford is a partiner on the award winning Apple Pie Trail, a culinary trail that travels throughout Grey County which includes stops within Meaford. The annual Scarecrow Invasion and Family Festival fills Meaford with a whimsical celebration of the harvest season, from mid-September tomid October thousands of themed scarecrows invade the community. Following the Scarecrow Invasion, for more than a quarter of a century, craft lovers have flocked to Meaford during harvest season to take in the huge assortment of quality handcrafted goods at the annual, two day Apple Harvest Craft Show, considered one of Ontario’s best.
Other popular events and activities include the weekly car show, the award winning Big Red Chair Tour, a vibrant Meaford Farmers’ Market, Meaford International Film Festival and the Leith Summer Festival, to name only a few.
19
HARBOUR / MARINA
The Meaford Harbour is considered to be one of the finest marinas in the area and is operated by the Municipality of Meaford. Boat launch facilities as well as a pump-out station are available. The harbour is located just steps from downtown Meaford with plenty of parking for boats, vehicles and recreational vehicles. Along with our many boat slips, the Meaford Harbour features an administration office with a boaters’ lounge that includes a relaxing sitting area, showers, washroom facilities, and a patio with a barbeque. The Meaford Rotary pavilion located at the Meaford Harbour hosts numerous events and activities throughout the year. The Bighead river is a relatively small stream flowing through mostly forested areas until it dumps its waters into Nottawasaga Bay at Meaford, ON. The river is inhabited by brook and brown trout in its upper reaches. The lower section around Meaford is renowned for its incredible salmon and steelhead fishery. 20
HEALTH SERVICES The Municipality of Meaford boasts a wide range of highly acclaimed healthcare and nursing facilities. hOSPITaLS Grey Bruce Health Services Meaford Hospital Of all GBHS rural hospitals, Meaford offers the widest range of specialty clinics and services to the community. The hospital has inpatient beds which provide quick access to hospitalization when needed. Grey Bruce Health Services - Owen Sound Hospital This regional hospital, just five minutes outside of the Municipality of Meaford, offers a full range of specialty services for residents across the area, including complex surgeries, total joint replacements, cancer surgeries, MRI and CT scan services, and many more. NURSINg hOMES Meaford Long Term Care Centre This home consists of 77 beds licensed by the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care. It is located conveniently at 135 William Street. Errinrung Residence This facility is a 60-bed long term care centre with 70 retirement suites. This long term care residence is licensed and inspected by the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care and the retirement residence is Member of the Ontario Retirement Communities Association. HEALTH CENTRES Don Bumstead & Family Medical Centre This new facility opened in the fall of 2014 and includes space for four new physicians and a physiotherapy clinic.
21
MEAFORD WATERFRONT STRATEGY AND MASTER PLAN In June 2014, the Municipality approved the Meaford Waterfront Strategy and Master Plan and development of the Harbour Village. The Harbour Village concepts will accommodate a broad range of users and economic development that ensures year-round tourism activity. The identified enhancements such as enhanced pedestrian access through new boardwalks and a pedestrian bridge, road, sidewalk, and landscape improvements are estimated at $4.6 million.
Harbour Village Concept
The full Meaford Waterfront Strategy and Master Plan is available at www.meaford.ca
22
MEAFORD WATERFRONT STRATEGY AND MASTER PLAN The Meaford Waterfront is already a celebrated public space. Our Waterfront Strategy will foster projects to augment the character of our waterfront with amenities bringing tourism activity, economic development and new businesses supporting and linking our downtown core.
23
AGRIBUSINESS Agribusiness in the Municipality of Meaford has a strong tradition primarily based on apples and livestock. This tradition grew out of the opportunities afforded by the unique growing conditions and soils in the area. More recently, Meaford has experienced growth in new agrifood sectors: organic farm foods, wineries, breweries and cideries.
Meaford hosts a seasonal farmers’ market that has begun to cultivate and develop an agrifood cluster in and around Meaford. Not only does the market cater to local consumers and visitors, it also acts as a place for local producers to foster collaboration and business exchange. The future of agriculture in Meaford is strongly positioned to service the growing demands for fresh Ontario products and the growing markets in the Greater Toronto Area seeking ethnically and culturally traditional foods.
24
EDUCATION Meaford Hall Arts & Cultural Centre Offers a variety of lifelong learning opportunities for those in pursuit of knowledge for either personal or professional reasons.
Students living in close proximity to the City of Owen Sound must attend one of their area schools.
Catholic School students must attend: St. Basil’s JK-3 Notre Dame 4-8 Georgian Bay Community School is located St. Mary’s High School in urban Meaford and serves grades 4-12. Georgian College: St. Vincent-Euphrasia School is home to The campus is situated minutes from the students from junior Kindergarten to Grade Municipality of Meaford in the City 3 and offers both English and French classes. of Owen Sound. as well as a campus in nearby Collingwood. Meaford will soon be home to a new super school which will include all JK to grade 12 students. This new 24 million dollar facility will offer the best education to student s in the Meaford area. The new school is expected to be open in 2020.
25
Land Forces Central Training Centre Meaford A training facility for Regular and Reserve soldiers in Ontario but also a variety of other countries’ military units and nonmilitary agencies. Over 600 soldiers in training on any given week.
MUNICIPAL INCENTIVES MUNICIPAL INCENTIVES Façade Grant Program The Municipality of Meaford will provide a one–time grant of up to $15,000 m to assist property owners or tenants in improving exterior appearance and/or structural quality of their building. The grant is intended to apply to The Municipality of Meaford provide a one–timetogrant up to construction costs associated withwill these improvements helpofour $15,000 to assist property owners or tenants in improving exterior appearance downtown glow with the pride of this fine community.
and/or structural quality of their building. The grant is intended to apply to construction associated withthe these improvements to ahelp our The area outlined incosts red below indicates eligible properties for downtown municipal façade glow grant.with the pride of this fine community. The area outlined in red below indicates the properties eligible for a municipal façade grant. Properties outside of the area outlined in red below may qualify for the Economic Community Improvement program
DRAFT
26
23
MUNICIPAL INCENTIVES
Improvements include, but are not limited to Structural/safety replacement and repair of exterior façade; Repair/replacement of windows, doors, storefronts, awnings, canopies, cornices, eaves, parapets and other architectural features; Installation or repair of exterior lighting; Cleaning/painting of fa�ades visible from adjacent streets and public walkways; Entrance modifications, including the installation of ramps for accessibility purposes; “Hard” landscaping such as walkways and planters, but not including driveways or parking areas; Landscaping including plant materials/pavers; Structural repairs to walls, floors and foundations; and Economic CIP Program is intended to assists owners with the costs of undertaking studies, building improvements/replacements, environmental studies, energy efficiency improvements, and on farm diversification that would results in enhanced long-term viability. 27
BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS Bruce Community Futures Development Corporation 233 Broadway Street Kincardine, ON 1-888-832-2232 Grey County Business Enterprise Centre – 519-376-8998 Centre for Business and Economic Development 105 Hurontario Street Collingwood, ON 1-877-876-7908 Meaford Business Improvement Area 21 Trowbridge Street West Meaford, ON msmith@meaford.ca Meaford Chamber of Commerce 13 Nelson Street Meaford, ON 1-888-632-3673 Owen Sound & District Chamber of Commerce 704 6th Street East Owen Sound, ON, 519-376-5647 YMCA Employment Services – Owen Sound & Area 1450 1st Avenue West, Suite 4A Owen Sound, ON 519-371-9222 28
SERVICE CLUBS Kinettes of Meaford
519-538-1389
Kinsmen Club of Meaford
519-538-3260
Kiwanis Club of Meaford
519-538-2203
Lions Club of Meaford
519-538-3256
Optimists Club of Meaford 519-538-4284
Optimist Club of Sydenham 519-376-5929
Rotary Club of Meaford
519-538-1802
The Municipality of Meaford includes the following service clubs which are voluntary non-profit organizations. These service clubs work hard to improve our community, members meet regularly to perform charitable works either by direct hands-on efforts or by raising money for other organizations. 29
DEVELOPMENT CHARGES Development Charges Single/Semi Apartment/Townhouse Non-Industrial Industrial Rural
$5,307
$3,570
$20.05
$11.39
Service Area 1
$12,486
$8,395
$79.04
$44.15
Service Area 2
$15,069
$10,131
$103.78
$56.05
Service Area 3
$15,075
$10,134
$100.45
$54.05
The development of all lands within the Municipality of Meaford are subject to the terms ofofBy-law 84-2010. Development Charges are levied according The development all landsNo. within the Municipality of Meaford are subject to the terms of to area in which the development located.toThe amountarea of the By-lawthe No.service 56-2015. Development Charges are leviedisaccording the service in which charges vary by service area. Services which relates to the Development the development is located. The amount of the charges varies by service area. Services are: Library, Roads, Public Works, Parks and Recreation, whichCharges relate toBy-law the Development Charges By-law are: Library, Roads, Public Works, Parks Sewer, Water, Fire Emergency Services and Administration (studies). and Recreation, Sewer, Water, Fire Emergency DRAFTServices and Administration (studies). 27 31
Municipality of Meaford 21 Trowbridge St. West Meaford, On N4L 1A1 Economic Development Officer Stephen Murray 519-538-1060 Ext 1110 smurray@meaford.ca
www.meaford.ca