Friday, June 25th, 2010 will go into the history books as the day the downtown Collingwood waterfront was returned to the citizens of Collingwood for the first time in over 100 years. The massive Shipyards development opened the Waterfront Promenade to the public at a special Waterfront Promenade Park Dedication hosted by Collingwood's Town Crier, Ken Templeman.

In attendance at the ceremony was Slokker Real Estate Canada President Bruce Kerr. "The promise to redevelop the waterfront was our main objective. This project, no matter what, would open up the waterfront for the first time in 100 years for the public to enjoy" Kerr said.

Fred Serrafero, Vice President, FRAM Building Group, said that the opening of the Waterfront promenade is one phase of a multi-system park development. "The park including all the shoreline improvement work is about a 4.5 million dollar park" he said.

Mayor Chris Carrier spoke on behalf of the Town of Collingwood. "What a wonderful day for FRAM/Slokker and an even more wonderful day for the Town of Collingwood" Carrier said in welcome everyone to the ribbon cutting ceremony. "This development pays tribute to the community by the reconnecting of the waterfront to the whole community ... the people!"

The Honourable Helena Guergis, Member of Parliament for Grey-Simcoe and MPP Jim Wilson extended greetings from the federal and provincial governments. Guergis said that the dedication ceremony paid a wonderful tribute to the community and to all of the residents of Collingwood. "Dare I say, even across the country where I can tell you that the shipyard has always been recognized as the historic site that it is, and now to have a chance for the whole country to come down and celebrate the opportunity to see Georgian Bay from Collingwood is a fantastic opportunity for not only tourism but for our local economy and small businesses that will benefit from this."

County of Simcoe Warden Cal Patterson talked about his family's history with the shipbuilding and sailing industries as he spoke on behalf of the county, and as a Collingwood native with close family ties to the former shipyards. "It's great to be back in my old hometown to see this happening. For more than a century, the Collingwood Shipyards had been acknowledged as being innovators in Great Lakes shipping and although a lot has changed since the Collingwood Shipyard and Drydock Shipbuilding and Foundry Company began operation in 1882, change as you see today, is good."

Ms. Christine Cowley, an award-winning author including the publication "Butchers, Bakers & Building the Lakers: Voices of Collingwood" reminded everyone present that history was in the making right before their eyes. Cowley is also a Collingwood Museum Advisory Board Member, and talked about how short life is, encouraging everyone to seize the day and enjoy every moment of life.

Mr. Sonny Potts was a long-time employee of the Collingwood Shipyards. He talked about life in the yard, saying that after the shipyard closed, he couldn't look at the property for a long, long time. He said that he can now look at the property and be proud of what it was and what it is today thanks to the FRAM Building Group and Slokker.

Pastor Daniel Chatham from the Collingwood Church of God provided the Invocation followed by the official Ribbon Cutting Ceremony. Immediately thereafter, everyone was invited to walk along the beautiful waterfront promenade to breath in the fresh air and soak in the the magnificent views of the water and escarpment.

Former Canadian Idol performer and Collingwood resident Drew Wright provided musical entertainment.

Construction continues at the waterfront development. Some residents along upper Maple Street now call The Shipyards "home." Other homes are nearing completion. For more information visit the website at www.theshipyards.com or visit the sales office at 28 Huron Street.