WHY THIS LANDMARK SHOULD BE ON EVERY GTA RIDER'S ROAD TRIP LIST

If you've driven up Hurontario Street into downtown Collingwood, you already know the moment: the red-brick clock tower rises over the street, and right in front of it sits the glowing CWOOD sign, the town's unofficial photo-op and one of the most Instagrammed spots in Georgian Bay country. What a lot of visitors don't realize is that the Town Hall behind it has been anchoring that same corner since 1891, rebuilt after a fire destroyed the original structure. For riders and boaters coming up from the Oakville and GTA area, that intersection also happens to sit at the doorstep of some of Ontario's best powersports terrain — Blue Mountain's trail network, Georgian Bay's open water, and snowmobile corridors that start almost as soon as the snow flies.

THE LANDMARK: COLLINGWOOD TOWN HALL

The current Town Hall building dates to 1891, rebuilt in Romanesque Revival style after fire claimed the original structure that had served the town since the 1870s. Its clock tower, however, sat empty for decades — the four-faced clock wasn't installed until 1951, when it was donated to the town by Mr. and Mrs. Frank Courtice, the same family that Courtice Crescent on Collingwood's west side is named after. The building originally did double duty as a market and opera hall before those functions were phased out, and it received an exterior refresh in 1984 that preserved its heritage character while modernizing it for use as an active municipal building. Today it still houses the mayor's office and council chambers, and it remains, in the words of Collingwood's own communications staff, one of the handful of images people associate with arriving in town.

THE CWOOD SIGN: A NEWER ICON WITH A FAST-GROWING FOLLOWING

The CWOOD sign itself is a much more recent addition. It started as a temporary installation for special events and, thanks to popular demand, became a permanent fixture outside Town Hall on Hurontario Street. The current version — an upgraded, colour-shifting LED sign — replaced an older bulb-lit version in 2023, funded in part through Collingwood's Downtown Business Improvement Area (BIA) budget. BIA budget figures, as reported figures have varied across local news coverage.] It's become so identified with the town that local council has even discussed trademarking the name. For visitors, it's simply the spot where everyone stops for a photo before heading out to the beach, the brewery district, or the trails.

WHY THIS CORNER MATTERS FOR POWERSPORTS RIDERS

Here's the part that matters if you're loading up a trailer in Oakville: Collingwood isn't just a pretty stop, it's a staging ground. The town sits at the base of the Blue Mountains and right on Georgian Bay, which means it's flanked by terrain and water that powersports riders plan entire trips around.

Blue Mountain trail access — ATV and side-by-side riders use the Collingwood area as a jumping-off point for escarpment trails and forest roads through the Blue Mountains region.
Georgian Bay boating and watersports — Open water, marinas, and sheltered bays make this stretch of shoreline a popular Sea-Doo destination throughout the warmer months.
Snowmobile corridors — Once the snow arrives, the region connects into wider Simcoe County snowmobile trail networks that draw Ski-Doo riders from across the GTA.
Scenic road routes — The drive up Highway 26 and through the escarpment makes for a solid shakedown run for Can-Am Spyder and Ryker riders looking for curves and views.
Downtown and Blue Mountain Village — Both are walkable, photogenic stops that pair naturally with a day of riding, giving groups a reason to base a whole weekend around the area.

If your crew is planning a Georgian Bay weekend around any of that, it's worth having your machine checked over before you go. Energy Powersports' service department in Oakville handles pre-trip inspections, tune-ups, and trailer-readiness checks for Can-Am, Sea-Doo, and Ski-Doo units, so you're not troubleshooting a belt or a battery two hours from home in Collingwood.

PLANNING A TRIP UP: WHAT TO BRING DEPENDING ON THE SEASON

All of the gear below is available at shop.energypowersports.ca, so you can order ahead and have it ready before you load the trailer.

Summer (Sea-Doo season) — Life jackets, dock lines, and a properly fitted bimini top or cover for overnight stays near the marina.
Fall (Can-Am ATV/SxS season) — Layered riding gear, a winch if you're tackling escarpment forest roads, and a tire pressure gauge for changing terrain.
Winter (Ski-Doo season) — Heated gear, a GPS or trail map for the connecting Simcoe County corridors, and a spare drive belt kit.
Any season (Can-Am Spyder/Ryker road trips) — A rain-ready jacket, since Georgian Bay weather shifts quickly, and a phone mount for navigating the escarpment roads.

Not sure what you need for your specific trip? Browse gear and accessories by category at shop.energypowersports.ca.

QUICK RECAP: THE CWOOD SIGN AND TOWN HALL

Collingwood's Town Hall was rebuilt in 1891 after a fire, in Romanesque Revival style.
The clock tower didn't get its clock until 1951, donated by the Courtice family.
The building originally served as a market and opera hall before becoming a full municipal office.
The CWOOD sign began as a temporary event fixture and became a permanent, upgraded LED landmark outside Town Hall around 2023.
The surrounding region — Blue Mountain, Georgian Bay, and Simcoe County trail networks — makes Collingwood a natural base for ATV, side-by-side, snowmobile, and watercraft riders coming up from the GTA.

GEAR UP WITH ENERGY POWERSPORTS

Whether you're planning a Sea-Doo weekend on Georgian Bay, a fall ATV run through the Blue Mountains, or your first Ski-Doo season on the Simcoe County trails, Energy Powersports has the machines, gear, and service support to get you there and back. Visit us at 879 Cranberry Court, Oakville, ON, or call 905-901-5500 to talk through your trip plans with our team. Browse riding gear, trail accessories, and parts anytime at shop.energypowersports.ca, and check our full inventory, financing options, and service booking at energypowersports.ca.

FAQ: COLLINGWOOD LANDMARKS AND POWERSPORTS TRIPS

What is the CWOOD sign? It's an illuminated, colour-changing sign installed outside Collingwood's Town Hall on Hurontario Street. It started as a temporary event display and became a permanent, upgraded fixture that's now one of the most photographed spots in town.

How old is Collingwood Town Hall? The current building was rebuilt in 1891 after fire destroyed the original structure. The clock in its tower wasn't added until 1951.

Is Collingwood a good base for a powersports trip from Oakville? Yes. It's within a reasonable drive of the GTA and sits right at the base of Blue Mountain and the edge of Georgian Bay, giving riders and boaters easy access to trails, water, and connecting trail systems depending on the season.

What kind of machine works best for a Collingwood-area trip? It depends on the season and activity: Sea-Doo watercraft for Georgian Bay, Can-Am ATVs or side-by-sides for escarpment and forest trails, Ski-Doo snowmobiles for winter trail networks, and Can-Am Spyder or Ryker for the scenic road route up.

Can I get my machine serviced before a trip like this? Yes. Energy Powersports' Oakville location offers pre-trip inspections and tune-ups for Can-Am, Sea-Doo, and Ski-Doo models so your machine is ready before you head north.

Where is Energy Powersports located? Energy Powersports is located at 879 Cranberry Court, Oakville, ON. You can reach the dealership by phone at 905-901-5500 or explore inventory and services at energypowersports.ca.

Collingwood's CWOOD Sign & Town Hall: A Rider's Guide