Ramara Township council has approved the next phase of a major wastewater infrastructure upgrade in Bayshore Village — a $24.1-million project that will replace aging spray field infrastructure with a modern tile bed system, with the province picking up most of the bill.
According to a Township of Ramara bulletin, council authorized the work at its March 9 meeting and awarded the construction tender to Duivenvoorden Haulage Ltd. The total investment is $24,146,270, including contingencies.
The Wastewater Treatment Facility 202 project, located on Barnstable Drive, will retire end-of-life spray fields tied to the existing lagoon treatment system and move to tile beds. The township says the change will improve reliability, regulatory compliance and environmental protection.
Provincial funding offsets majority of cost
The project is supported through the province's Municipal Housing Infrastructure Program Health and Safety Water Stream. The Township of Ramara bulletin says the province is covering roughly 73 per cent of eligible costs — about $17.6 million — leaving the township responsible for approximately $6.5 million.
Council also authorized short-term borrowing of up to $16,650,000 to cover costs if needed until grant payments arrive. Site preparation, including limited tree removal and grubbing, is expected to begin in the coming weeks, along with construction of a new access road for the pumphouse.
Six of the 11 tile beds are anticipated to be complete by Nov. 15, 2026, with the remainder finished by June 30, 2027. Existing spray fields will stay in use through 2026, and effluent hauling may be required depending on lagoon levels and commissioning timelines.
New digital parking pass option
The township has also launched a digital resident parking pass. Residents applying for an annual pass at ramara.ca/parking can now choose between the traditional dashboard hanger or an E-Pass linked to their vehicle's licence plate. Approved applicants who pick the digital option receive a link to HONK, the township's parking service provider, to activate their pass. The hanger option remains available online or in person at the administration building at 2297 Highway 12 in Brechin.
Family doctor waitlist moves to Health Care Connect
The Couchiching Family Physician and Nurse Practitioner waitlist has closed, according to the bulletin. The Couchiching Ontario Health Team and Couchiching Family Health Team are now directing patients to Health Care Connect, which can be reached by calling 8-1-1 or visiting the province's Health811 website. Residents already on the local waitlist will be contacted to confirm their needs and ensure they are registered.
Spring programs and events
A community job fair is scheduled for March 26, and registration is open for a youth flag football program run with SportsKlub for ages 8 to 14 from Ramara, Orillia and area. Sessions run Tuesdays from May 12 to June 16 at the Ramara Centre fields, with a $60 fee and a registration deadline of April 13 at 9 a.m.
The township is also inviting residents to join its Community Clean-Up Program from April 1 to 30 in recognition of Earth Day on April 22, with clean-up kits available for registered participants. Township facilities will be closed for Good Friday on April 3 and Easter Monday on April 6, reopening April 7 at 9 a.m.
