“Imagine a place---a floating building perhaps – where children, students, scientists, artists, businesses and citizens of all types come together to celebrate and learn about water.” 

So begins the vision for the Ontario Water Centre.  Conceived three years ago at multiple workshops hosted by the Ladies of the Lake and other groups, the plans for the centre are an exciting initiative that could help put Ontario at the forefront of water conservation.  Perhaps even more exciting is that the centre is slated to be built in Georgina on Lake Simcoe’s shore making it the perfect candidate.  However, plans for the centre are in their infancy and before the centre can be built there needs to be an increase in the public’s interest and awareness.  That is where Splash! the Floating Water Festival comes in. The festival is taking place August 13^th in Georgina’s historic De La Salle Park, the festival is bound to be a hit.  Organized by the Ladies of the Lake and the Alliance for a Better Georgina, along with the Town, York Region and the Chippewas of Georgina Island First Nation, the aim of the festival is to engage the public in celebrating their relationship with water.  Georgina Trades Training Incorporated is contributing to the festival by rehabilitating the Spring House which will be incorporated into one of the festival’s ceremonies.  Built by Dr. Frank Sibbald over a hundred years ago, the structure is considered to be the “spiritual heart” of the Ontario Water Centre project.

The festival will be jam-packed with a boat horn symphony, interactive exhibits about water innovation, lots of music, art, water activities and fresh local food.   For more information, go to www.splashfestival.ca.  For more information on the Ontario Water Centre, go to www.ontariowatercentre.ca.