EVANSVILLE—The Campbell Bay boat launch will be demolished because of its current condition and could be replaced at a date in the future, says a representative of Small Craft Harbours of the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO).
“With the current condition of the boat launch it will be demolished, and replaced, although there is no timeline for this,” William Wilson of DFO told The Expositor last week. “That is our intention.”
“It is in pretty rough shape,” stated Mr. Wilson.
Ken Noland, reeve of Burpee and Mills told The Expositor the township has received a letter from DFO which indicates that after the demolition takes place, “potential divestiture of the boat launch could include rebuilding the infrastructure.” This process will depend on the province removing ‘revisionary interest’ in the property and that local groups can express an interest.
“The municipality will definitely be discussing the issue as the Campbell Bay boat launch is the only one on Western Manitoulin between Gore Bay and Cooks Dock, and it is a facility that is used a lot,” said Reeve Noland.
A DFO notice to the Township of Burpee and Mills reads, “Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Small Craft Harbours Branch (DFO-SCH) will be undertaking a project to remove the existing infrastructure at the SCH Campbell Bay facility on Manitoulin Island due to safety concerns with the concrete launch ramp and timber wharf. The work is planned to take place from December 12-30. The timelines are subject to weather conditions and the results of the tender process.”
“The description of the work is as follows: Campbell Bay facility demolition includes the removal and disposal of all timber crib work and existing concrete launch panels on site and grading the work area to match its surroundings. During the work, the harbour will be closed to the general public.”
The Campbell Bay boat launch has been closed since October due to its unsafe condition.
At that time, Reeve Noland told The Expositor DFO “approached us asking if we wanted to take over ownership of the boat launch, but originally it had no access (the launch is surrounded by a Ministry of Transportation park), and is land-locked so you couldn’t get from the highway to the boat launch. And they came back with a proposal asking if we wanted to take over ownership. But it is a mess—it’s in poor condition. They wanted to give us a boat launch with potential liability. Then DFO said they would consider giving us a grant to fix the structure, so we said okay, we will discuss this (ownership transfer).”
“But seeing that it is a federal structure, the province has to sign off on it, and it can take up to two years for the province to give up rights on it,” said Reeve Noland.
Mr. Wilson said last week that DFO will, “have a contractor on place next week.” He said DFO has received approval from other ministries, including Natural Resources pertaining to fish and fish habitat to have the work carried out.
