July 14, 2010 – Skyline Investments Inc., the parent company of Horseshoe Resort and the Pantages, Cosmopolitan and King Edward hotels, is pleased to announce a strategic alliance with Crate Marine Sales Ltd. (Crate’s), Ontario’s largest luxury boat distributor, to develop a world-class marina in the historic harbour town of Port McNicoll, Ontario.

Over the next three years, $10 million will be invested toward building the first privately-owned deep water port in Georgian Bay. When completed, the 333-hectare complex – which sits on 11 km of pristine shoreline – will include more than 800 boat and yacht slips, 1,300 residential units, several hundred hotel rooms and a boardwalk village of shops, services and cultural attractions, making it the largest mixed-use marine resort in the province.  

In keeping with its commitment to offer exceptional experiences at all of its properties, Skyline’s vision is to create an unparalleled waterfront community, one that combines the traditional look and feel of an authentic maritime neighbourhood with all the comforts of modern life. The state-of-the-art marina will feature luxurious amenities such as Skyline’s signature Shizen spa, executive showers and change rooms, a fine dining restaurant, and a high-ceilinged lounge that opens on to a 1,500 m2 deck overlooking the town’s rejuvenated core.  

Situated at the entrance to the world’s largest freshwater archipelago, Port McNicoll was once a bustling trade and tourist hub. Founded by Canadian Pacific in 1908 just east of the Town of Midland, Port McNicoll had the first mile-long deep water harbour on all of the Great Lakes, as well as the longest wood trestle railway bridge in North America. And, with more than 30,000 nearby islands for tourists to explore, it was the original ‘must-visit’ destination for wealthy steamship passengers of the time.

The new marina and yacht club will be reminiscent of that golden era, and the centrepiece of Skyline’s $1.6 billion, ten-year restoration strategy for the region. Skyline’s massive Georgian Valley project, which is expected to create more than 10,000 jobs and boost the local GDP to over $1.2 billion, also encompasses the ongoing renaissance taking place at nearby Horseshoe Resort and promises to turn the entire expanse of protected parkland between Port McNicoll and Copeland Forest into ‘Canada’s Four Season Playground’.

When the marina’s Discovery Centre has its Grand Opening on July 17, Crate Marine Sales will be on site to display more than $10 million worth of inventory. Boaters will also have the opportunity to pre-register for a slip (for the 2011 season) and learn more about Skyline’s exciting plans for Port McNicoll.

“We are thrilled to be working with an impressive marine partner like Crate’s,” says Gil Blutrich, Skyline’s President, CEO and Chairman. “Over the course of their 80-year company history, they have established an impeccable reputation for excellence in boat sales and service – qualities which perfectly complement our vision for this development. With Crate’s participation, we will transform the old Canadian Pacific port, which has been in disuse for over 60 years, back into a vibrant waterfront community with a first-class yacht club and marina. I believe that many boaters will be drawn to the historic allure of this beloved harbour, bringing with them a renewed spirit of vitality and prosperity.”

“The marina and yacht club in Port McNicoll will offer freshwater boaters the finest service and facilities anywhere in the country,” says Greg Crate, who now heads the company his grandfather founded in 1930. “For years, we have been looking to open a Georgian Bay location, and this development represents the perfect opportunity to do so. Over the years, Crate’s has sold close to 40% of all the motor yachts on Georgian Bay, so we’re glad to have finally found the perfect place to look after our many loyal customers. We are very proud to be partnering with Skyline on this exciting project, and we look forward to offering Georgian Bay boaters full access to our complete range of marine services in 2011.”