A Great Wolf Lodge is still planned for Cornwall, officials say, and shovels could be in the ground as early as the first quarter of 2025.
The city’s manager of economic development, Bob Peters, said the project, which was announced about two years ago, is advancing steadily. He emphasized the importance of thoroughness.
“Projects of this scale take time. We are moving as quickly as possible while ensuring everything is done right. This is a major infrastructure project, and it’s happening step by step,” Peters said.
In November 2023, Cornwall Mayor Justin Towndale told OBJ that the resort was on pause until funding was approved by the province.
“Since the (Great Wolf) resort in Niagara is a franchise, this is their first direct investment (in Canada), so they’ve asked the province for $30 million,” explained Towndale at that time. “(The province) seems supportive, but there’s an ask and they haven’t confirmed it yet.”
In an email to OBJ this month, U.S.-based Great Wolf Resorts said progress is being made and that it remains interested in Cornwall as a site for one of its lodges.
“We are excited about the prospect of bringing one of our signature indoor water park resorts to Cornwall,” said Jason Lasecki, a spokesperson for Great Wolf Resorts. “There are additional requirements that need to align before we can fully confirm intentions, but we remain excited, optimistic, and greatly appreciative of the efforts by the Government of Ontario and the City of Cornwall to support this endeavor.”
A spokesperson from the office of local MPP Nolan Quinn provided an email statement that said the Ontario government has been in discussions with Great Wolf Resorts regarding the project.
“We are excited at the prospect of introducing a beloved family attraction to the region,” the statement read. “As we remain committed to bringing in strategic investments that drive job creation and economic development across Ontario … We look forward to sharing further information in due course.”
According to Peters, Great Wolf Resorts has been focused on completing projects in Texas, Florida and Connecticut. However, he said there have been ongoing conversations and reassurances from the company about its commitment to the Cornwall site, which represents an approximately US$350-million investment for the company.
Foundational infrastructure work must be completed before developers can proceed, Peters said. This includes extending roads, water, sewer and utility networks to meet Great Wolf Resorts’s requirements.
Peters said that companies need certainty about infrastructure details before breaking ground.
“The sale is completely dependent on our timeline for the road construction, which was already in our 2023 road construction budget,” he said.
The extension of Nick Kaneb Road north toward Highway 401 and connecting Tollgate Road to the east is a critical first step in the project, along with bringing services to the expanded business park. The new road will connect more than 200 acres of land designated for commercial and residential use, enabling further development.
“Building a road is not as simple as unleashing a bunch of bulldozers,” said Peters. “This is a significant infrastructure project involving the extension of water, sewer and utility networks. We’ve completed the environmental assessment and finalized the design, so now we’re ready to proceed with construction.”
With funding for the road work secured, Peters said work will move forward without delay, with construction of the resort expected to begin in the first quarter of 2025.
“Once the road is built, everything else will fall into place,” he said.
The new Great Wolf Lodge would feature an expansive indoor water park and family resort and create an estimated 700 jobs, positioning Cornwall as a tourism hub in Eastern Ontario.
“This project is unlike anything Eastern Ontario has seen before,” Peters said. “It’s world-class in scale and impact. From tourism to job creation, the lodge will have a lasting effect on the region.”
The lodge is also expected to draw visitors from Ottawa, Montreal and the U.S., injecting millions of dollars into the local economy and creating spinoff opportunities for local businesses.
While Great Wolf Lodge is designed to be the main attraction, the new road network may also unlock opportunities for other businesses. More than 100 acres of business park land have already been sold to various developers, with projects ranging from light industrial to commercial enterprises.
“This road isn’t just about the Great Wolf Lodge,” Peters said. “It’s about creating a thriving business park that will drive sustained growth. The infrastructure we’re putting in place will support a variety of developments, including much-needed residential housing.”
Peters said several businesses are vying for a spot in the business park extension. The first part of the business park has already been developed, Peters said.
Michelin has opened a roughly one-million-square-foot distribution centre alongside similar-sized Walmart and Loblaws distribution centres in the area south of Highway 401 and Boundary Road.
“That’s the story today,” said Peters. “The next chapter in the growth of Cornwall is going to be that road infrastructure project. After that, it’s going to be welcoming new companies, the first being the Great Wolf Lodge.”
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