Fort William First Nation Chief Peter Collins says he’s made initial contact with the province in hopes of the band someday soon taking over the mothballed Big Thunder ski facility.
Ultimately Collins said he’d like to see the area redeveloped, in partnership with the City of Thunder Bay and other interested parties, and a plan he’d like to see included is the possible move of the Thunder Bay Casino to the site, which the province closed two decades ago.
Collins broached the subject of the transfer of the land with Premier Kathleen Wynne on Wednesday during what’s been termed by organizers as an historic Anishnabek Nation-Ontario summit at Fort William First Nation.
“We just briefly had a discussion on that, but I’ve had a lot of discussions with different ministers and gave them briefing notes on how it can transpire,” Collins said.
Though discussions are in the preliminary stages, Collins said the plan has been long thought out and would involve more than just the First Nation.
“First of all I want it to be back in the hands of Fort William First Nation where it rightfully belongs, and the second thing, I guess, is a partnership that we can develop with the City of Thunder Bay, and hopefully with (Lakehead University), (Confederation) College, the Townwhip of Neebing and the Friends of Big Thunder.”
The casino would be a perfect fit for the property, he added.
“It will take everybody as a partner and a team to make it happen,” Collins said.
The casino is presently situated in Thunder Bay’s downtown north core. It opened its doors in 2000.
In 2012, Friends of Big Thunder approached the province seeking $20-$25 million to reopen the facility, which hosted the 1995 World Nordic Games.
Minister of Natural Resource Bill Mauro, in whose Thunder Bay-Atikokan riding Big Thunder resides, said he is aware that Fort William First Nation officials are interested in obtaining the property.
It’s too early in the game to have a final opinion on the matter, Mauro said, adding he’s been told an official letter will be submitted to his ministry outlining Collins’ plan.
“We will see what the letter says,” he said. “I have not seen the letter yet. I haven’t read it. He’s given me the highlights, in terms of his interest in the site. To be fair, it’s not the first time I’ve heard language like that from Chief Collins or Fort William First Nation.
“But I don’t have anything definitive I can say on it right now one way or the other.”
Mauro said he was unaware of the casino proposal.
Both McKellar Ward Coun. Paul Pugh and OLG spokesman Tony Bitanti said it would be inappropriate to comment on speculation.
However Bitanti did say OLG will soon be looking for a service provider for the Northern Gaming Bundle, which includes casinos in Thunder Bay and Sault Ste. Marie, Sudbury Downs and new builds in North Bay and Kenora. A request for proposal is expected in the coming months.
"Once the service provider is chosen, they will immediately take over the day to day operations of the three existing facilities, then they will work on developing the two new sites," Bitanti said, reached via email.
"Any decisions on building a new site or to relocate an existing site will be up to the service provider, the municipality and OLG (if there is a good business case) with final approval from the provincial government."
