KILLARNEY—Snowmobilers to Killarney this winter were alarmed to find that their beloved Herbert Fisheries fish and chip stand had been torn down, but with nothing replaced in its stead.
Have no fear, boating community, for the world famous fish and chips (so often used by Islanders as an excuse for a trip to Killarney) will be back this summer, bigger and better than ever thanks to $820,000 in government grants for the creation of a new fish processing facility and restaurant on the community’s wharf, which will be owned by the municipality and rented to Herbert Fisheries.
In 2012, FedNor announced a $320,000 grant “to help create jobs and support business development and growth.”
Morgan Pitfield, mayor of Killarney, explained that the initial grant did not cover the costs of the project and the municipality applied for more funding with great success.
The construction process for the 2,583 square foot first floor and 1,593 square foot second floor building has been delayed due to the unseasonably long winter, but cement has been poured, assures Mayor Pitfield. While construction is underway, Coco Paving of Hamilton, which mines quartzite from nearby Badgeley Island, and Herbert Fisheries have come to a working agreement to share the loading dock on the wharf as the new home of the Herbert Fisheries borders on Coco’s traditional loading/unloading area.
The mayor said he hopes to see its completion by mid-August.
“In the interim, we will make arrangements with Mr. Herbert to sell fish and chips from somewhere else, such as a trailer or bus. Fish and chips will be operating, but in a temporary structure,” he said. “We had to replace it (the trailer)—it was in a sad state of affairs.”
“The new building will now house Herbert’s and the processing plant and should add five or six major jobs and more job security,” he said.
“Islanders will still get their fish and chips,” Mayor Pitfield laughed.
The mayor also noted that Coco Paving has also upped its ante at Badgeley Island and has added a few more jobs and equipment to its operations. The quarrying business was for many years owned by Indusmin Ltd.
