St. Marys quarry nominated as one of Ontario’s top outdoor attractions

The Town of St. Marys has nominated its swimming quarry as a top outdoor attraction in Attractions Ontario’s annual Ontario’s Choice Awards.

By Galen Simmons

St. Marys is taking on some of Ontario’s biggest tourism destinations after its iconic swimming quarry was nominated for Attractions Ontario’s annual Ontario’s Choice Awards.

The town’s East Quarry has been entered in the Top Outdoor Attraction category, where it will compete for votes alongside major destinations such as the Toronto Zoo, African Lion Safari and other attractions from across the province.

Kelly Deeks-Johnson, the Town of St. Marys’ tourism and events manager, said she submits nominations each year to help showcase what the community has to offer.

“We have some pretty cool things to offer here,” Deeks-Johnson said. “Not that I want to say they’re untapped because I feel the quarry is very busy, but I do feel that we have a lot to offer that maybe people haven’t explored yet.”

The Ontario’s Choice Awards are determined entirely by public voting and recognize attractions across a range of categories, including museums, festivals, tours and outdoor destinations.

Deeks-Johnson said earning recognition among some of the province’s best-known attractions would be a significant accomplishment for the community.

“If we were to be labelled as a top attraction amongst those like the Toronto Zoo or Canada’s Wonderland, I think that would be pretty special – pretty spectacular really,” she said.

Even if the quarry doesn’t take top honours, Deeks-Johnson said simply appearing on the ballot raises St. Marys’ profile among people exploring Ontario destinations.

“I always aim to get our name in there because I think we have some pretty great assets to celebrate,” she said. “Even just an honourable mention or a nod to what we have to offer shows our pride in what we have.”

She added the awards website also serves as a tourism showcase, exposing visitors to attractions they may never have considered before.

“People go in to vote and they see these other spots. It’s just another spot for people to see us,” Deeks-Johnson said.

The East Quarry, a former limestone quarry transformed into one of Ontario’s most unique outdoor swimming destinations, draws thousands of visitors each summer and has become one of St. Marys’ signature tourism attractions.

Deeks-Johnson said increased recognition through the Ontario’s Choice Awards could translate into more visitors discovering the quarry and spending time in the community, benefiting local businesses, restaurants and accommodations.

Voting is open online through Attractions Ontario’s Ontario’s Choice Awards at attractionsontario.ca/top-outdoor-attraction/. Residents can cast a vote by selecting the St. Marys Quarry in the Top Outdoor Attraction category. Deeks-Johnson said the process takes only a few moments and does not require an account.

“We’ll do another push for it again on social media,” she said, noting the town had already promoted the quarry’s nomination. “It’s quite simple. I voted.”

Other local outdoor attractions nominated in this competition include Terra Nova Spa in Oxford County and Udderly Ridiculous Farm Life in Blandford-Blenheim.