Press Release for Project Launch

November 16, 2005 - Are you looking for a year-round hideaway that’s off the beaten path yet close to the services you need? How about a rustic summer cottage by the shore, a maintenance-free bungalow in a friendly neighbourhood, or a modern condo by the marina, all at very affordable prices? That’s what Manitoulin Island in Lake Huron is asking southern Ontario with its new “Manitoulin Living: Come Home to the Island” campaign, being publicly launched November 30.

“Our market is largely Northeastern and South-western Ontario, but we’ve already had inquiries from not only across Canada but from as far away as Europe,” explains chair of the Manitoulin Living Steering Committee Richard Stephens. “People who live here know that there is something special about Manitoulin, and its not just that its the largest freshwater Island in the world and part of the Niagara Escarpment.  Really we are just capitalizing on the trend that has some people moving out of larger centres looking for a more human pace of life, whether for their retirement or to work over the internet. For example, statistics show a significant out-migration of long-time Canadians from major cities like Toronto.”

“We’ve put a lot of research into our marketing strategy and materials in order to target our efforts,” says Arik Theijsmeijer, Project Coordinator for Manitoulin Living.  “Manitoulinliving.com describes the high quality of life in our friendly communities where you can get involved, find the services you need, find or build a dream house, and we’ve even posted testimonials and photography slide shows to the website. The safe, small communities, friendly local business, clean water and air, art galleries and concerts, outdoor recreation opportunities like golfing, hiking, biking and sailing, all this taken together offer an amazing quality of life. The Dark Sky Sanctuary is another project on the Island showing the efforts we are going to to preserve the character of this special place while working for healthy community development.”

Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasing MP Brent St. Denis has put his support behind the project, saying “projects such as this showcase our exceptional way of life and are tremendously important to our economic, social and community development.” FedNor and Service Canada (formerly HRDC) are funding the bulk of the campaign, though it is also a unique partnership between local municipalities, realtors, developers, and retailers.

This site is currently maintained by Manitoulin Living. All content is subject to change without notice. For further information contact Patrick Kiley at info@manitoulinliving.com