A major new addition to Sault Ste. Marie's waterfront is expected this summer.
Two Sault businesspeople have signed an agreement to buy Miss Toronto, a popular party yacht that has served Toronto Harbourfront, Toronto Island and Lake Ontario for more than three decades.
When the deal closes on April 16, the new owners of the 100-passenger boat will be Sheila Purvis (known locally for her involvement with Purvis Marine and Beavertails) and Jeff Dicorpo (from Northern Powertrain and Northern Superior Brewing).
Subject to getting the necessary approvals from Transport Canada, Dicorpo expects to bring Miss Toronto to the Sault in late May, with charters and lock tours starting a rather late season sometime in late summer.
The 70-foot boat will be based beside the Beavertails kiosk, where the Canadian lock tour boat Chief Shingwauk used to dock.
Purvis and Dicorpo have retained Capt. John Chomniak, former skipper of the Chief Shingwauk, to provide staff training.
It's expected Miss Toronto will follow essentially the same route as Chief Shingwauk, but Dicorpo tells SooToday he wants to get more into charters for things like birthday parties, weddings and corporate events.
He may also take Miss Toronto farther away to places like Bell's Point.
Tourism Sault Ste. Marie agreed on March 10 to provide $200,000 to support acquisition of Miss Toronto.
Purchase price of the boat wasn't disclosed but it has been offered online recently for $500,000.
"We're very happy with the boat. We think it's going to be a big success," Dicorpo said.
"We think this is something we're able to take on and are happy to do so."
— SooToday
