There is no debating that the pandemic has re-shaped our day-to-day lives. Social distancing and the ability to work remotely has influenced not only how we live, but where we live.
Space has become a commodity, more people are embracing the outdoors as a means of a healthy lifestyle and with more flexibility at work, many have begun to prioritize where they actually want to lay down their roots.
The City of Sault Ste. Marie has taken notice of this trend and is offering a unique incentive to those interested in relocating. The incentive is an Adventure Pass; a redeemable voucher that is used to discover the exciting attractions, amenities and activities Sault Ste. Marie (the Soo) has to offer. This includes expansive networks of hiking trails, pristine sandy beaches, amazing waterways for paddling and fishing, world class cross country ski areas, a top-rated downhill ski resort and some of the best mountain biking trails in Ontario.
One of the first recipients of the Adventure Pass was Tabitha Dixon who is originally from Burlington in the GTA. Tabitha started looking for affordable housing for her and her young family after finding that houses in Burlington were regularly selling for over a million. She looked in Windsor, Chatham and Sudbury but then she learned about Sault Ste. Marie. “The Sault is beautiful, I just love all the access to nature that you have up here and ultimately that was the deciding factor”.
And what about her job in downtown Toronto? What did her company think about her switching to becoming a full-time remote worker?
“My company is super supportive, it’s been fantastic. A silver lining of the pandemic is that businesses and companies can see that not only can their employees work remotely, they actually can even do it better because there’s other things they don’t have to compete with. They don’t have to worry about a couple of hour’s commute into Toronto, paying exorbitant amounts of childcare, everything comes down a little bit and it’s a little bit more manageable.”
Tabitha Dixon is using her Adventure Pass to buy hiking boots for her and her family (supplied photo)
Another recipient of the Adventure Pass, Tara Pettit, attributes her move to Sault Ste. Marie to the access to nature and green spaces. “There are just so many parks, so much green space; the Hub trail, beautiful beaches like Point Des Chenes and there are so many programs for kids. I have three kids, 12, 14 and 17 and I just enrolled one of them in soccer yesterday”.
Both Tabitha and Tara are using the Adventure Pass as a way to get to know the area. Tabitha is buying hiking boots for herself and her daughters, Tara is planning a fishing trip with a local guide.
Travis Anderson, director of Tourism and Community Development is happily surprised by the amount of people applying for the Pass. “We have already seen a tremendous amount of interest in the Adventure Pass reflecting the amount of people who are moving here. It’s exciting when you hear first hand that people see our city as a place to bring up their families and a place to continue their careers. We’ve had doctors apply, remote workers, people from many different employment sectors. The Soo is a great place to live and people are realizing it.”
The Adventure Pass isn’t just good news for new residents. Local businesses who have played a role in positioning Sault Ste. Marie as an adventure town have received this initiative with open arms and are excited to showcase what the City has to offer.
“The new Adventure Pass initiative is an awesome incentive and is a great way for newcomers to experience a nature-based lifestyle,” says Ryan Walker Operator and certified canoe guide at Forest the Canoe. “It is a very attractive and awesome opportunity to move up north - in the beautiful town of Sault Ste Marie.”
Alongside Walker, Forest the Canoe is operated by his partner Shana Shipperbottom. The pair offer guided canoeing and camping tours, providing adventure-seekers with a chance to explore different aspects of Ontario’s rugged backcountry.
“Our guided tours include stories of local nature and history,” says Shipperbottom. “For those contemplating moving here, we can say it is going to be worth it. It will contribute to increased enjoyment, a happy and healthy lifestyle and increase good mental health.”
The couple relocated to Sault Ste. Marie from the GTA three years ago to live closer to nature, where they could easily enjoy doing the outdoor activities that they love.
“The Adventure Pass is great because people have so many options for outdoor activities within 50 km,” adds Shaun Parent Director/Instructor at Superior Exploration and pioneer of rock and ice climbing in the Algoma region. “So many of our clients come up here because they can experience the real wilderness here unlike Southern Ontario. This Northern region is still pristine, wild, and new. I am also happy to share that I have received a few queries for the Adventure Pass recently.”
Superior Exploration, Climbing & Adventure facilitates rock climbing adventures, ice climbing, caving and more.
Anderson admits he’s buoyed by the positive reception of the Adventure Pass, but sees it as a sign of the times. “There’s a lot going on in the city right now, we’re extremely busy – in a good way! We’ve just launched new public canoe and kayak docks, new mountain bike trails are being build as we speak, and on top of this it just feels like there’s a buzz in the air. It’s a great time to be part of the city”.
The Adventure Pass will be redeemable at various local outfitters and businesses in Sault Ste. Marie and the surrounding area. This includes trail and lift passes, outdoor retailers and tour operators.
For more information, visit welcomtossm.com.