Midland, Ontario

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Midland (population 16,700, 2006 Canada Census) is a town located on Georgian Bay in Simcoe County, Ontario, Canada.

Situated at the southern end of Georgian Bay's 30,000 Islands, Midland is the economic centre of the region, with a 125-bed hospital and a local airport. It is the main town of the southern Georgian Bay area and the town has a population of over 16,700. In the summer months, the area's population grows to over 100,000 with seasonal visitors to more than 8,000 cottages, resort hotels, provincial and national parks in the surrounding municipalities of Penetanguishene, Tiny, and Tay.

1 History
2 Local attractions
3 Sports activities
4 Notable residents
5 See also
6 External links

[edit] History

The town of Midland was founded when, in 1871, the Midland Railway of Canada selected the sparsely populated community of Mundy's Bay as the new terminus of the railway. The town site was surveyed in 1872-3 and the line to the town was completed by 1879. The company sold off lots in town (Midland City) to help finance the settlement. The village (incorporated in 1878) thrived based on Georgian Bay shipping and the lumber and grain trade. Incorporated into a town in 1890, a number of light industrial companies have established themselves in the area and tourism in the southern Georgian Bay area also contributes to the economy.

[edit] Local attractions

Millennium mural by the harbour

Statue of a trumpeter swan

In and around the centre of Midland there are a number of murals which were painted by Fred Lenz. The largest is on the silos overlooking the main harbour.

Notable sites in or near Midland include the Jesuit mission of Sainte-Marie among the Hurons, which is now a living museum depicting missionary life in the 17th century, and the Martyrs' Shrine, a Roman Catholic church commemorating the Canadian Martyrs, five missionaries from Sainte-Marie who were martyred during the Huron-Iroquois wars, and the Huronia museum. Unfortunately, the Indian Village outside the Huronia Museum recently suffered a major fire, in which one third of the village was burnt. Reconstruction of the village is now underway and the village has re-opened to the public.

The Wye Marsh Wildlife Centre is nearby. The marsh provides habitat for Trumpeter Swans, Black Terns and Least Bitterns. The trumpeter swan is considered a symbol of Midland and a large statue of one has been erected by the harbour.

[edit] Sports activities

Midland is the home of the Midland Flyers junior ice hockey club of the Georgian Mid-Ontario Junior C Hockey League.

Boating, both power and sail, is very popular with a number of marinas and a sailing club based in the town. The town has easy access to the relatively sheltered waters of south eastern Georgian Bay. Among the marinas nearby are Bay Port Yachting Centre on the northwest side of the bay, and Doral Marine Resort along the southeast shore. There is also good fishing.

Midland also has an ever growing and active cycling base. The Midland Tri Club has been instrumental in increasing the number of road riders in the area. Many of these riders also participate in the popular weekly Time Trial series and group rides that run throughout the summer months. Mountainview Ski Center has also encouraged the growth of mountain bikers, with an extensive trail system in town. The Center hosts a variety of races, including a summerlong weekly series, as well as a night race, high school event, and 9 hour relay. Also, an MTB club has been borne of the Center, and is expanding its breadth into competition and other pursuits. Both clubs have had success in competitions.

In the winter, snowmobiling and icefishing are popular activities. Mountainview Ski Center has a quaint atmosphere, and despite a modest elevation, boasts a large base of all-natural snowfall, a well stocked rental and pro shop and 6 runs. The center also has 25km of cross country ski trails groomed for classic and skate technique, and is the home of the Mountainview Ski Club.

[edit] Notable residents

David Onley, former CITY-TV reporter and current Lieutenant Governor of Ontario.
John Muckler, NHL coach
Herbert Drury, hockey legend
Glenn Howard, curler
Russ Howard, world champion curler
Wayne King, NHL player
Angela Schmidt-Foster, Olympic cross country skiier (1980, 1984, 1988 and 1992)