Backgrounder: More opportunities to stay and play in Ingonish

September 27, 2024 · Ingonish, Nova Scotia · Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA)

Cape Breton’s welcoming culture, outdoor experiences and exceptional scenery draws visitors from around the globe. The Government of Canada, through ACOA, is investing a total of $1,262,165 to support winter activities and expand accommodation options in Ingonish, helping to extend the region’s tourism season.

Cape Smokey Holding ltd. is receiving a repayable contribution of $578,575 through the Regional Economic Growth through Innovation (REGI) program to upgrade its power capacity. Power poles, three phase electrical lines and modern systems will be installed from the mid-point to the top of the ski hill, and a control room building will be constructed. This will help Cape Smokey meet the electricity demands for its current amenities and future tourism projects, and significantly increase snowmaking capabilities, ensuring consistent conditions for visitors. It will also allow the business to stop daily use of its diesel generator, leading to cleaner air and less noise.

Cape Smokey is located in Ingonish along the Cabot Trail and within the Cape Breton Highlands National Park. It was built in the 1970s and was operated for many years by local community volunteers. In 2019, new owners purchased the property and began work to turn it into a year-round destination for outdoor enthusiasts. In addition to the ski resort and gondola, plans for the site include a tree top walk, accommodation and residential development, and marina.

The Cabot Snowmobile Club of Cape Breton Island (CSC) is receiving a non-repayable contribution of $299,840 through the Innovative Communities Fund (ICF) to accomplish phase two of improvements to trail #758, also known as the Mary Barker Trail, from Ingonish to Wreck Cove. With this phase, the Club will undertake stump removal, rough and fine grading, culvert installations, ditch and drainage work, silt and sediment control and resurfacing as required. This work will provide a more functional trail to be used all year round by locals and tourists, helping to establish Ingonish as a launch point for year-round tourism activities.

The CSC was incorporated in 1973 as a not-for-profit society and currently includes 90 members. It is a member of the Snowmobilers Association of Nova Scotia (SANS). The CSC is responsible for maintaining and grooming more than 200 kms of SANS trails in the Cape Breton Highlands and is one of six snowmobile clubs in Cape Breton that work together to maintain and groom the trail system. It relies heavily on volunteer members to upgrade, maintain and service the trail system which attracts visitors and locals year-round.

Ingonish Harbour-View Chalets is receiving a repayable contribution of $233,750 through the Tourism Growth Program (TGP) to build two A-frame chalets, each with the capacity to sleep eight people. The chalets will be two kilometers away from Cape Smokey, at the head of the harbour, and directly on the world-famous Cabot Trail. These cabins will fill the need for year-round accomodations that are suitable for larger groups.

Ingonish Harbour-View Chalets is a new business, owned by Juanita Butler and her brother, Patrick Barron. Having grown up in Ingonish, the pair know the availability of winter accommodations throughout Victoria County is scarce. The goal for the business is to become a preferred destination for tourists, by offering luxury accommodations with high end amenities, while also focusing on providing unparalleled customer service.

MacKinnon House Ltd. is receiving a repayable contribution of $150,000 through the Tourism Growth Program (TGP) to contruct five new visitor accommodation cottages near the site of MacKinnon House in Ingonish. The cottages will operate under the name Smokey Cove Cottages. They will accommodate small and large groups, helping increase capacity of four-season tourist accommodations while providing a home base to explore Cape Breton Highlands National Park and the Cabot Trail.

MacKinnon House Ltd. is owned and operated by Perry MacKinnon on a property that was once the site of a lighthouse operated by Perry's grandfather until 1956. MacKinnon House is a four-bedroom, year-round tourism operation on the Cabot Trail, near Cape Smokey Mountain.