Gets MTA, Fisheries and Oceans backing
MELDRUM BAY—Representatives of the Manitoulin Tourism Association (MTA) met with the Dawson Citizens’ Improvement Association (DCIA) last week to look at ways to support the association in acquiring the Mississagi Lighthouse from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO).
“We met with Shelba Millette (MTA director of operations) and Ron Berti (MTA president) last week,” DCIA Chair Rick Bradley told The Expositor. “They explained their current role with the lighthouse and discussed ways they might be able to assist us or support us with the acquisition of the lighthouse.”
The MTA has a longstanding agreement with the Canada Coast Guard to maintain and use the lighthouse property, which was built in 1873 by the Department of Transport of Canada as a tourism attraction for Western Manitoulin.
“The discussion was quite positive,” continued Mr. Bradley. “They offered to partner with us to assist with grant applications (to improve the lighthouse) and if we are successful in our acquisition, to assist us with marketing.”
Mr. Bradley explained that DCIA is currently in discussions with the DFO regarding the possible transfer of the Mississagi Lighthouse to the association, but the process is on hold as both parties await an appraisal of the lighthouse and property by the Federal Department of Public Works, which is scheduled for this November.
The Expositor spoke with the DFO which confirmed that they are in discussions regarding the lighthouse with the DCIA.
“On May 27, 2010, Fisheries and Oceans Canada declared the Mississagi Strait Lighthouse (DFRP# 11573) surplus to its operational needs,” Rosaleen O’Mahony, regional communications manager for the Central and Arctic Region of Fisheries and Oceans Canada, told The Expositor. “Under the Heritage Lighthouse Protection Act, this property can be transferred to new owners wishing to take advantage of its heritage designation or tourism potential. The Mississagi Strait Lighthouse has been petitioned for heritage designation and a business case has been submitted to the Department by the Dawson Citizens Improvement Association, outlining their proposed use of the property. The department, is currently in discussions with the group regarding the divestiture of this lighthouse and its surrounding area.”
“Prior to divesting a structure and its surrounding lands, the Department must have the proposed site appraised,” concluded Ms. O’Mahony. “A land survey, the first step in the appraisal, has been completed. The final appraisal is scheduled for the near future.”
The MTA has recently begun seeking partners to help manage Manitoulin attractions that they oversee such as the Cup and Saucer Trail and the Mississagi Lighthouse.
In addition to the Mississagi Lighthouse discussions with the DCIA, the MTA also approached the Northeast Town, asking if it would assume responsibility of the Cup and Saucer Trail (the municipality in which the trail is located). Last month, a Northeast Town council motion to assume the responsibility of the trail was defeated, and the MTA changed its strategy, calling on any other interested Island municipalities or organizations to partner with the MTA, forming a steering committee to manage the trail.
Northeast Town Mayor Al MacNevin was away during council’s discussion and decision regarding the Cup and Saucer Trail, and requested that the item be added to the agenda for this Tuesday’s (September 1) council meeting.
“I asked the clerk to put the Cup and Saucer Trail on the agenda for Tuesday’s meeting,” Mayor MacNevin told The Expositor prior to press time on Monday. “I was away for the last decision and I think it might be in council’s best interest to meet with other councils, groups and the MTA to explore establishing a committee to oversee the trail. It’s an important attraction to Manitoulin.”
Currently, the MTA maintains liability insurance for the Cup and Saucer Hiking Trails and further indemnifies the owners of the property over which the trails cross. There is also a current partnership with the Northeast Town that empties the containers at the foot of the trails and collects the garbage, as well as replacing defaced signage last year.
