North Muskoka Resorts Benefits from G8 Summit

When the G8 Summit gets underway early this summer, the world will be watching Huntsville, Ontario, a quiet little tourist town in Ontario's popular Muskoka tourist region, close to Algonquin Provincial Park and half way between Toronto and North Bay. The 2010 G8 conference, which is scheduled for June 25th and 26th, will see leaders from the eight major industrialized nations of the world in Huntsville to discuss world events. Accompanying the leaders will be staff and entourages, numbering in the thousands. An international event of this magnitude requires the highest level of security, necessitating large numbers of security and military personnel. A large influx of media from around the world is also anticipated to converge on the Muskoka area. The 400 room Deerhurst Resort will hold the G8 and, while the resort can accommodate up to one thousand people, it will not have room for the tens of thousands of journalists, political aides, security personal, and the inevitable throng of protesters that will also be coming to area. Taking up the slack are the hundreds of other Muskoka and North Muskoka resorts, bed and breakfasts and private cottage rentals that are pleased to accept reservations from people here for the G8 Summit. Muskoka resort owner Michael Piraino, of Northridge Inn & Resort (http://northridgeinn.com), an upscale all-season resort on Lake Bernard in North Muskoka, has been receiving G8 related calls at his resort for some time now. "The G8 is great for Muskoka and Ontario's Near North tourism. We are already benefiting from the related infrastructure spending that has taken place and from the increase in bookings from the G8. During the summit, we will get some great national and international press that will showcase this beautiful resort area to the world," states Piraino.

Ever since the Canadian government announced their choice of Huntsville as the site of this year's summit, local businesses and central Ontario area residents from Bracebridge to North Bay have been speculating on just what impact this major event will have on their communities. The Huntsville -Lake of Bays Chamber of Commerce, believes that the summit will produce a very positive economic spin-off and many long-term benefits. For more than a year, there has been a steady stream of discussion, debate, and prognostications in the local media, both positive and negative, about the G8 Summit and how it will affect the region.

At the time of the Canadian government announcement about Huntsville hosting the G8 Summit, they also announced a $50 million G8 Legacy Fund to finance a number of local projects to help prepare for the summit, to create jobs and long lasting benefits for the communities involved. Federal funding paid for the construction of a new media centre which will later be converted into a second ice pad for Huntsville. The G8 Summit Centre expansion received $20 million from the Government of Canada in addition to the $50-million coming from the G8 Legacy Fund, providing for a beautiful facility which will later be used by the University of Waterloo for research. As well, federal funding has paid for runway resurfacing at Jack Garland Airport in North Bay, with about $5 million coming from the G8 fund and another $5.3 million provided under the federal Airports Capital Assistance Program.

Tony Clement, Member of Parliament for Parry Sound-Muskoka, is enthusiastic about the positive impact the G8 Summit will have on the Muskoka area and believes that the projects funded by the Federal government will ensure that Parry Sound, Muskoka and North Muskoka will be "seen at its best" by the world and that the Summit will "generate significant economic benefits for the region." Prime Minister Stephen Harper anticipates that "the 2010 G8 Summit will provide short and long-term economic benefits for the region and the province, and it will be an exceptional opportunity for Canada to advance its values and interests on the world stage."

For Muskoka and Ontario Near North resort owners, businesses and tourist operators, the economic benefits that maybe realized by having a major world-class event like the G8 Summit in Central Ontario can't be understated. "Hopefully, the 2010 G8 Summit will do for Muskoka and Almaguin Highlands tourism what the 2010 Winter Olympics did for Vancouver," comments resort owner Piraino.

Contact Information:

Michael & Brenda Piraino

Northridge Inn & Resort

712 South Bernard Lake Road

P.O. Box 1189

Sundridge, Ontario P0A 1Z0

705-384-2252

info@northridgeinn.com

http://northridgeinn.com

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About Northridge Inn & Resort: Located just north of Muskoka in the Almaguin Highlands, close to Hunstville, Algonquin Park and North Bay, Northridge Inn & Resort (http://northridgeinn.com) is a full service, four-season resort with luxurious accommodations in a private setting. With stunning lake views, large sand beach, gourmet dining and a wide range of recreational amenities, Northridge Inn has everything to make your Muskoka resort vacation or romantic couple's getaway very special. Call Northridge Inn 705-384-2252 for more information about their lakefront accommodations and special packages or visit their web site http://northridgeinn.com