District approves contract for Highway 117 reconstruction in Baysville

The project that includes sidewalks, trails, and upgrades to the village’s main entrance.

The District of Muskoka approved the contract award for Highway 117 reconstruction in Baysville, in the August 21, 2025, meeting.

According to the staff report, the contract was awarded to Fowler Construction for $3,347,370 plus HST.

The 2025 and 2026 Tax Supported Capital Budget and Forecast will be amended to include the project cost.

Commissioner of Engineering and Public Works, James Steele, told Council, “We didn’t have a dedicated budget for this project, so what you’ll also see in the resolution is to move funds from a future year into this year.”

Other amendments reported include Baysville’s watermain and hydrant at $143,273, additional costs to capital upgrades and construction at $610,750, capital surfacing in 2025 costing $10,625,450, and Lake of Bays contribution of $1,283,381.

Total amendments amount to $4,084,966, with total expenses at $15,821,166.

$200,000 of the financing will be sourced from the Active Transportation Reserve Fund, $14,194,512 from the Roads Capital Reserve Fund, and $143,273 from the Water Capital Reserve Fund, according to the report.

It adds, “District of Muskoka Capital Restoration (Urban) Future be decreased by $2,458,312 in the 2026 Tax Supported Capital Budget and Forecast.”

Steele said, “I think what’s important is that this is a really exciting opportunity for collaboration between the District and Lake of Bays in particular, implementing their Community Improvement Plan.”

He added, “I think it really makes that entrance into Baysville a place that people will want to stop and come by.”

Councillor and Lake of Bays Mayor, Terry Glover, expressed excitement about the project that he said has garnered a lot of discussion.

He added, “It’ll make a huge improvement to the entrance into Baysville…slow traffic down and have people take a second look.”

Chair, Jeff Lehman, spoke on behalf of Councillor, Robert Lacroix (and Lake of Bays Councillor), “who’s long wanted…to see the active transportation upgrades – the sidewalk and the trails in Baysville.”

He continued, “This will create a much more pedestrian environment in those critical three or four blocks through Baysville.”

He said it was a significant investment by the District in the urban area within the Township “to help create something that we’ve helped to create in the towns over the years.”