Sitting vacant on the shores of Lake Shebandowan, the prospect of HAGI's Wilderness Discovery Retreat’s re-opening does not look promising.
The camp is a barrier-free resort, which allows people with disabilities to experience camp life.
The land is owned by the crown and was leased to HAGI Services. The camp’s lease expired in 2014.
The province offered to sell the land, but HAGI could not meet the asking price.
For more than a year the Fort William Rotary Club, Port Arthur Rotary Club, and the Lakehead Rotary Club in conjunction with the Kinsmen Clubs have been trying to assist in saving the discovery camp, but there hasn’t been much communication from the province.
“Exactly what’s going on we aren’t sure,” said Fort William Rotary Club president Robert Hookham.
“If I don’t have something confirmed by the end of September I’m going to recommend that the rotary clubs walks away,” Hookham said Monday afternoon.
The clubs got involved with HAGI in July 2015 to try and renew the lease, Hookham said they were led to believe that if they could renew the lease under HAGI’s name it would stay similar and affordable.
After Hookham sent the check it was later returned, and talk began about the payment jumping from $3,700 to $87,000 a year, or a buyout close to $1 million and “that’s not affordable.”
He added that none of that has been confirmed.
“I’ve been led to believe that we won’t need to start the process over again, but again nobody has actually confirmed that,” he said.
“Minister Mauro indicated that there are talking in progress and things will be discussed through the summer, however, as we all know they don’t meet during the summer. So exactly what’s going on we are a little uncertain.”
Hookham said there’s been a lack of communication from the ministry, he added that it would be greatly appreciated if there was more communication from Mauro and the Ministers involved, so they know where they stand.
He said they are already a year behind and $350,000 worth of work has to be done to bring the facility back up to where it has to be, so that has to be done before they re-open.
“We are going to look at all the opportunities out there and we are going to extend it to everyone,” Hookham said.
In an email spokesperson for Ontario Infrastructure Ian McConachie said Infrastructure Ontario is currently in the process of performing due diligence work to determine future options.
“No decision has been made regarding the future of the property at this time,” McConachie said.
