Wawa's Northern Nationals Drag Race is getting a provincial boost - to buy some equipment.
Energy, Northern Development and Mines Minister Greg Rickford's announced over $1.3-million for "tourism infrastructure projects" in the Algoma region and Manitoulin Island, including $25,000 for the Municipality of Wawa to "build new infrastructure for the Wawa Drag Races, allowing the event to be held in one central location".
Acting Community Services and Tourism Director Brian Lachine's clarified that the funds are a grant that will require the Municipality to put up half of the funding for a project - either through municipal coffers or other outside funding.
Lachine adds that the Drag Race Committee has a list of items it would like to purchase to help with the event, though he emphasizes the most important is a stage, as one is currently rented every year - something that is not cost effective - and a new, mobile stage could potentially be used for other events, as well.