THUNDER BAY -- A historic Thunder Bay industrial complex could soon be seeing new life.
The signage outside the old shipyard indicates the property is under new ownership.
Heddle Marine president Rick Heddle said the company is not ready to announce anything at this point, or even confirm that a purchase has taken place.
The company's part-owner Blair McKeil confirmed to TBT News this week that Heddle Marine has taken over control of the former Lakehead Marine and Industrial operation, which has been idle for nearly 3 years.
Heddle has ship repair facilities in the Hamilton area and in the Maritimes, and McKeil said they're excited about expanding into Thunder Bay.
He added that they're looking forward to resurrecting the ship repair operation, although it's not clear how soon that might happen.
Steelworker's union rep Herb Daniher said it's encouraging news.
“I went by a couple of weeks ago, and they were just starting to drain the dry dock, so we know there was some activity there,” Daniher said.
“Certainly, this is a better outcome then having to shut down and having some kind of proposal for some other infrastructure development town that doesn’t really create any jobs.”
Daniher added that this industrial manufacture repair facility has been successful in the past, and he is expecting they are going to have some success going forward and that means prosperity for the community.
The Port Arthur Shipbuilding Company was launched in 1911, and saw the construction of dozens of vessels over the next 50 years.
After that, the company continued to repair and renovate ships under various names, including Pascol Engineering and Lakehead Marine and Industrial.
Between 40 and 100 employees would spent the winter months welding and repairing lake and ocean vessels, but in 2014, Lakehead Marine declared bankruptcy, assets were auctioned off and then the property went into third party ownership.
Daniher said if and when the operation reopens, the former employees would have the best skills for the new company's hiring process.
“If there’s a place they can apply then hopefully the new company is successful in obtaining the necessary work to get up and running and continue to operate,” he said.
“I don’t presume they bought the site without anything else in mind, so it’s positive news.
Daniher said for those who haven’t found any employment elsewhere jobs are still probably available.
Heddle Marine officials said they could be ready to announce about their plans, in the weeks or months ahead.
(TBT News)
