Museum’s Cardboard Boat Win Fuels Saugeen First Nation Amphitheatre Restoration
A lighthearted competition on the water led to meaningful community support as the Bruce County Museum contributed its prize money to the Saugeen First Nation Amphitheatre Project.
What began as a playful competition on the water has turned into tangible support for cultural renewal on the shore.
After paddling to victory in the Corporate Challenge cardboard boat race at this summer’s Marine Heritage Festival, the Bruce County Museum & Cultural Centre (BCM&CC) redirected its $300 prize to the Saugeen First Nation Amphitheatre Restoration Project — a donation organizers say reflects the spirit of collaboration that defines the region.
The festival, organized annually by the Marine Heritage Society (MHS), invites local groups and businesses to test their creativity and stamina in homemade cardboard boats.
This year, the BCM&CC team, captained by Savannah Stoll, crossed the finish line first, earning bragging rights and the top prize.
Rather than keep the winnings, the Museum chose to donate the funds toward the restoration of the Saugeen First Nation Amphitheatre — a site deeply tied to Indigenous culture, storytelling, and community gathering.
“The amphitheatre is a unique location for all communities to connect,” said Brittany Roote, IBA Coordinator for the Saugeen First Nation Independent Business Association. “Even while under reconstruction, this donation already exemplifies its role in fostering partnerships that help us all work and grow together.”
Museum Director Cathy McGirr said the gesture felt natural for an institution focused on preserving heritage and community memory. “The amphitheatre is a special place and holds many memories and connections for people. We’re proud to support the revitalization project, which helps preserve stories and create spaces for community.”
The MHS, which runs the festival and maintains the nearby Chantry Island Lighthouse and Keeper’s Home, called the donation an example of how local collaboration can make a difference.
“This is a great example of local collaboration – from the friendly competition on the water to meaningful impact on the shore,” said Wayne Kaufman, MHS Chair. “The Museum’s win at the Festival, now supporting the Amphitheatre, is the kind of goodwill that makes Saugeen Shores and Bruce County such a caring place to be.”
The Saugeen First Nation Amphitheatre Restoration Project is focused on revitalizing a site rooted in centuries of Indigenous history. The renewal includes traditional drystone construction, new walking paths, and community gathering areas.
The adjacent gardens — known as Gzhe-Mnidoo Gi-Ta-Gaan (Saugeen First Nation Creator’s Garden) — are being restored to share traditional knowledge about local plants and medicines.
For the Museum, the Marine Heritage Society, and the Saugeen First Nation partners, the donation represents more than just prize money. It’s a small but symbolic act of connection — proof that even friendly competition can ripple into lasting cultural impact.