In naming Deerhurst as the location for the 2010 G8, coming up at the end of June, Stephen Harper described the resort as being in Muskoka, the "jewel in Ontario's crown."
It's certainly a happening place right now, as fences go up all over the place and personnel move in.
Huntsville is in major construction with the Summit Centre Olympic sized skating rink and new University of Waterloo satellite campus that will be part of the G8's legacy here. That's the good news - some $50 million has been spent in the region in infrastructure, ranging from roads in Parry Sound to a Bandshell in Baysville. Another $700 million, if the newspapers are to be believed, is being shovelled into the party itself... That's a lot of cash for a bash that sees the World leaders arrive Thursday afternoon and leave on Saturday morning.
Huntsville is in major construction with the Summit Centre Olympic sized skating rink and new University of Waterloo satellite campus that will be part of the G8's legacy here. That's the good news - some $50 million has been spent in the region in infrastructure, ranging from roads in Parry Sound to a Bandshell in Baysville. Another $700 million, if the newspapers are to be believed, is being shovelled into the party itself... That's a lot of cash for a bash that sees the World leaders arrive Thursday afternoon and leave on Saturday morning.Our "Eye in the Sky" provided us with these photos, taken this week. Deerhurst looks green and blue and inviting from the air.
Not so inviting the temporary barracks being erected near Huntsville. According to the newspaper, there will be about 800 units... You can just see the red crane on the left side lifting another one off the flatbed trailer. These will house some 5000 people who will be working on the event. Parking? Port-a-Potties? Don't even ask...
They don't get much of a view from the barracks site. And you will note the strategically placed swampy bits to the top of the photo, the de rigeur breeding grounds for the Mighty Muskoka Mosquito. This will be their Muskoka... at least for the duration of the event.
We're planning on just hunkering down here, in our own fabulous jewel in Ontario's crown. That's Bondi, the oasis at the centre of this bit of paradise. Lumina Resort is just visible at the bottom left corner (with red rooftops) and Dwight bay at the top of the photo.
We'd like to suggest that when the G8 morphs into the G20 (and having heard today that another 5 nations have been invited to the party, it is now more like the G50...) those of you living in Toronto might like to consider getting out of town and coming here. It's just plain better here, and who knows? After that big a party, there may still be cake...
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