The Awen' Gathering Place: Why Every Powersports Rider Passing Through Collingwood Should Make This Stop

Most people driving up Highway 26 toward Georgian Bay know Collingwood for its marinas, its ski hills, and its harbourfront trail. Fewer know that on a berm inside Harbourview Park sits one of Ontario's most architecturally striking Indigenous cultural sites — seven tilting cedar poles, each nearly seven metres tall, supporting laser-cut steel canopies that glow over the water at night. For riders and boaters passing through this corridor between Oakville and cottage country, the Awen' Gathering Place is worth the five-minute detour, and it happens to sit at the center of some of the best on-water and on-trail terrain in the region.

What the Awen' Gathering Place Actually Is

The Awen' Gathering Place was commissioned by the Town of Collingwood to advance truth and reconciliation, designed by Brook McIlroy's Indigenous Design Studio in collaboration with educator, artist, and poet Dr. Duke Redbird of the Saugeen First Nation. The design concept represents the layers of a food forest, with each layer linked to one of the Seven Ancestor Teachings — an ancient Anishinaabe/Midewiwin teaching on the ethics of proper behaviour, or "the good way of life." 

Structurally, the site is defined by tilting Alaskan cedar poles standing seven metres tall, supporting seven laser-cut steel canopies, each patterned after a different plant layer of the forest. Seating platforms beneath the canopies are engraved with the Ancestor Teachings in Ojibwe, and the whole structure is lit at night, making it visible across the town and the lake. The pavilion sits elevated on a berm within Harbourview Park overlooking Georgian Bay, establishing a symbolic gateway between land, water, and community.

It's open-air, free, and open to the public — available at no charge for ceremonies, celebrations, teachings, and other peaceful gatherings. Riders passing through on a fuel or coffee stop can walk it in ten minutes; those with more time can read the interpretive panels and take in the harbour view it was built to frame.

Why This Corner of Georgian Bay Matters for Riders

Harbourview Park sits right where Collingwood's downtown meets the water — which is exactly why it's a natural staging point for a mixed powersports weekend:

• Sea-Doo access: Collingwood's harbour and marina network open directly onto Georgian Bay, giving PWC riders quick access to Nottawasaga Bay, Blue Mountain's shoreline, and the Christian Island run for experienced boaters.
• Can-Am road and ATV routes: Highway 26 and the Blue Mountain backroads make for a scenic Can-Am Spyder or ATV-trailer run from the GTA, with Simcoe County's rural network close by for off-road riders with proper trail permits.
• Ski-Doo corridor proximity: Collingwood sits near several OFSC-connected trail corridors that link into the broader Simcoe County snowmobile network — a common staging area for GTA riders heading north for a day or overnight loop. [PLACEHOLDER: verify current OFSC trail numbers/connections and permit requirements for the Collingwood area, as routes can shift season to season.]
• Distance from Oakville: The drive from Oakville to Collingwood is roughly [PLACEHOLDER: verify exact km/drive time] — comfortably a day trip or the first leg of a longer Georgian Bay weekend.

If you're loading up a Sea-Doo, Can-Am, or Ski-Doo in Oakville and heading north, this stretch of shoreline is a logical waypoint — not just for the landmark itself, but for fuel, provisions, and a stretch break before hitting open water or trail.

Before a run like this, it's worth having your unit actually checked rather than assumed ready. A Georgian Bay day trip puts real hours on a hull or a track in one shot, and a quick pre-trip inspection at Energy Powersports — belts, fluids, hull or ski condition, trailer wiring — catches the small stuff before it becomes a roadside problem two hours from home.

What to Bring Depending on the Season

Order ahead through shop.energypowersports.ca so your gear is ready before you load the trailer.

For a Sea-Doo day on Georgian Bay (spring–fall):

• Coast Guard–approved PFDs sized for every rider on board
• Marine-grade dry bags for phones, keys, and layers
• Spare drain plugs and a basic tool kit
• Sun and spray protection — riding gloves, polarized eyewear, quick-dry layers

For a Can-Am road or trail run (spring–fall):

• DOT-rated helmet and riding jacket appropriate for temperature swings near the water
• Tire pressure gauge and a compact repair kit for backroad routes
• Layered gear for cooler lakeside mornings even in summer

For a Ski-Doo trip up the corridor (winter):

• Insulated, wind-rated riding suit and boots
• Backup goggles (fog and whiteout conditions are common near the bay)
• Trail permit, map, and a charged phone or GPS unit
• Tow rope and basic recovery gear for backcountry sections

Browse the full seasonal lineup at shop.energypowersports.ca before you head out.

Quick Recap: Awen' Gathering Place at a Glance

• What it is: An Indigenous cultural pavilion honoring the Seven Ancestor Teachings, built in collaboration with Dr. Duke Redbird and the Saugeen First Nation
• Where it is: Harbourview Park, on Collingwood's waterfront, overlooking Georgian Bay
• Cost: Free and open to the public
• Why riders stop: It sits at the junction of Sea-Doo water access, Can-Am road routes, and Ski-Doo trail corridors north of the GTA

Gear Up With Energy Powersports

Whether you're prepping a Sea-Doo for a Georgian Bay run, tuning up a Can-Am for backroad miles, or getting a Ski-Doo trail-ready for winter, Energy Powersports has the inventory, service, and know-how to get you there. Visit us at 879 Cranberry Court, Oakville, ON, or call 905-901-5500 to book a service slot before your next trip. Browse accessories and parts anytime at shop.energypowersports.ca, and check full inventory, financing options, and service booking at energypowersports.ca.

FAQ: Riding to the Awen' Gathering Place and Georgian Bay

Is the Awen' Gathering Place open to the public year-round?

Yes — it's an outdoor, free public space in Harbourview Park with no admission or booking required, though hours for programmed events can vary.

Can I launch a Sea-Doo near the Awen' Gathering Place?

The site itself isn't a boat launch, but Collingwood's harbour and marina facilities are close by; check local marina access rules before launching.

How far is Collingwood from Energy Powersports in Oakville?

Close enough for a full-day round trip with a Sea-Doo, Can-Am, or Ski-Doo in tow.

Do I need a trail permit to ride Ski-Doo trails near Collingwood?

Most snowmobile corridors in the area are OFSC-connected and require a valid trail permit; confirm current requirements before you ride. 

Can Energy Powersports check over my unit before a Georgian Bay trip?

Yes — book a pre-trip inspection at our Oakville location by calling 905-901-5500 or through the service booking tool at energypowersports.ca.

Does shop.energypowersports.ca ship outside Canada?

No, shop.energypowersports.ca ships Canada-wide only.