MELDRUM BAY—The Dawson Citizens’ Improvement Association (DCIA) has made an application to the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) to acquire a long-term lease for the operation of the Mississagi Lighthouse and associated campground located west of Meldrum Bay. The facility has been closed to visitors for several years. This is Manitoulin Island’s most westerly location.
“We know that lots of people like to go there, and it has beautiful camping,” said Wendy Van Every, DCIA treasurer, last week. “And by opening it up, it would create tourism and be a bonus to Western Manitoulin.”
“If nothing is done with the lighthouse it will eventually fall apart,” said Ms. Van Every. “By operating the lighthouse, it would be good for not just Western Manitoulin but all of Manitoulin.”
The lighthouse has been closed since the COVID-19 pandemic and had been previously operated by Destination Manitoulin Island (DMI).
“DFO has told us they were doing an assessment of all lighthouses; this has been done and they are reviewing the report,” said Ms. Van Every. “We have expressed interest in operating this (Mississagi) lighthouse.” She noted DFO has said some work has been carried out on the lighthouse.
Ms. Van Every indicated DCIA is looking for a long-term lease. “There is no point doing all this work if we don’t have a long-term lease.”
“The DCIA made an application to DFO to acquire a long term lease for the operation of the Mississagi Lighthouse. This has been a long process, but it is one which we feel will soon be complete,” a DCIA release explains. “Now comes the hard work. We hope we can count on you (members of the public) to make this dream a reality.”
“We are seeking individuals that would be interested in volunteering their time to sit on a working committee that would work closely with the members of the DCIA to carry out the business plan which includes rejuvenation of the grounds and buildings,” said DCIA.
“We are also seeking individuals and/or businesses that would be interested in volunteering their time and resources for labour to bring the site back into operating condition,” said Ms. Van Every. She said some of these volunteer opportunities include, but are not limited to, fundraising, marketing, customer service, physical labour such as grass cutting, painting/staining, landscaping, carpentry, handy person jobs.”
“That’s the point of the public meeting we will be holding in April,” said Ms. Van Every. “We need to form a working committee of DCIA. We have the ability to sign a lease. We need to find people who are legitimately interested in getting the lighthouse up and running again. This is just a beginning.”
“The Mississagi Lighthouse, campground and surrounding properties are a Manitoulin Island treasure that we want to share with locals and visitors. The assistance of our local community members, businesses, municipalities, and first nations are needed now more than ever.”
Ms. Van Every said she does not know if any First Nations have interest in the lighthouse property.
The public meeting will take place at 11 am on Saturday, April 6 at the Meldrum Bay Community Hall.
Derek Stephens said DMI had the previous lease for the lighthouse. He pointed out his name had been on the lease with DFO but he had turned it back. “I signed it back over to DFO.”
