Sault Ste. Marie Seeks More Funding for Downtown Plaza Events

City council to consider using Municipal Accommodation Tax revenue to support community gatherings and attract tourists

Apr. 10, 2026 at 1:03am

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A cinematic painting of the Sault Ste. Marie downtown plaza, with people enjoying the public space under warm, diagonal sunlight and deep shadows, conceptually representing the city's efforts to activate the plaza and draw more visitors to the area.The downtown plaza in Sault Ste. Marie serves as a community gathering space, but officials hope increased funding will allow it to host more events that can attract visitors to the city.Sault Ste. Marie Today

Sault Ste. Marie city officials are requesting an additional $50,000 from the Municipal Accommodation Tax (MAT) revenue to fund events and programming at the downtown plaza. The current $18,000 annual budget is deemed insufficient to properly activate the plaza year-round and attract out-of-town visitors, according to the city's tourism director and plaza supervisor.

Why it matters

The downtown plaza was designed as a community gathering space, but larger festivals and events that can draw tourists require more infrastructure and capacity than the plaza offers. Using MAT funds to support a variety of downtown events, including at the plaza, aligns with provincial regulations and the city's tourism goals by leveraging different venues to attract visitors while also preserving the plaza for local community use.

The details

City councillors will be asked on Monday to designate $50,000 from the Municipal Accommodation Tax (MAT) revenue to support events in the downtown area, including at the plaza. The current $18,000 annual budget for plaza events is deemed insufficient by Travis Anderson, the city's director of tourism and community development, and plaza supervisor Josh Ingram. They argue that using MAT funds, which are intended to support tourism promotion and development, will allow the city to 'properly activate the downtown plaza during all four seasons' and complement larger events held at other downtown venues like the Roberta Bondar Tent Pavilion.

  • City council will discuss the funding request at their meeting on Monday, April 14, 2026.
  • Since 2021, more than $200,000 in MAT funds have already been allocated to support downtown events.

The players

Travis Anderson

The city's director of tourism and community development.

Josh Ingram

The supervisor of the downtown plaza.

Angela Caputo

Ward 3 city councillor who recommended the city look into using MAT funds to activate the downtown plaza.

Lisa Vezeau-Allen

Ward 2 city councillor who recommended the city look into using MAT funds to activate the downtown plaza.

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What they’re saying

“Tourism-focused events held downtown, including at the plaza meet the criteria for use of MAT funds.”

— Travis Anderson and Josh Ingram, City tourism director and plaza supervisor

“Planned to complement and not compete with other downtown venues, the plaza was designed to host community events and gatherings.”

— Travis Anderson and Josh Ingram, City tourism director and plaza supervisor

“Using MAT to support a variety of downtown events, particularly those capable of drawing out-of-town visitors, ensures alignment with provincial regulation and local tourism goals.”

— Travis Anderson and Josh Ingram, City tourism director and plaza supervisor

What’s next

City council will vote on the funding request at their meeting on Monday, April 14, 2026.

The takeaway

By using Municipal Accommodation Tax revenue to support events at the downtown plaza, Sault Ste. Marie aims to activate the community space year-round and attract more visitors, while also leveraging larger downtown venues to host major festivals and events. This balanced approach aligns with provincial tourism regulations and the city's goals of promoting the downtown area.