A months-long Ministry of Environment, Conservation, and Parks (MECP) investigation of the Wigamog Inn site in Dysart et al has found species at-risk could be present at the site – further delaying demolition efforts.
Gary Wheeler, MECP spokesperson, told The Highlander last week that ministry officials had been in contact with property owner, Aurora Group, to request they address “several” regulatory requirements for on-site operations and pending demolition activities before proceeding.
“The owner is required to undertake assessments on the property, including a species at-risk assessment, should demolition plans continue,” Wheeler said.
He noted species at-risk observed, or known to frequent the area, include the chimney swift, eastern whip-poor-will, Blanding’s turtle, at-risk bats, and the eastern hog-nosed snake.
Hailey Cole, a Dysart bylaw officer, said “there is a reasonable likelihood” that species at-risk may be present at the site. She has been in touch with Aurora Group, and confirmed an assessment is underway and expected to be complete in about six months.
“That timeframe is to allow for observation during multiple seasons,” Cole said.
It’s the latest in a long line of setbacks since the township started looking into the property in 2019. While Aurora Group touted major investment for the site after buying it in March 2016 – posting plans to its website for the reopening of the inn and the Moose Bar and Grill, as well building 180 new residential units – little has been done, and the property today sits empty, in a state of disrepair.
Dysart’s previous bylaw officer, Robert Mascia, reported carrying out multiple inspections between 2019 and May 2022, when he issued a remedial action notice to Aurora Group outlining 47 infractions of the township’s property standards bylaw. Issues varied from downed power lines to smashed windows, damaged doors, and collapsed decks.
At a property standards committee meeting in the fall of 2022, Aurora Group said they intended to demolish the 37 buildings that make up the Wigamog site. They then missed a deadline to submit a demolition permit, which led the committee, in October 2022, to direct Dysart’s chief building official, Karl Korpela, to issue an RFP to have the site torn down.
Staff were still working on the RFP in March 2023 when Aurora Group started the demolition process. To date, around a dozen buildings have been taken down.
Cole noted staff assessed the property again in November, working with Aurora Group to ensure fencing was put up around an empty in-ground pool and that access points to all remaining buildings were sealed.
On top of the issues surrounding at-risk species, Dysart mayor Murray Fearrey said he was aware of a complaint being made to the ministry about active chemicals at the site. Wheeler said the ministry has not confirmed the presence of asbestos, or any other chemical on the site, but is mandating that Aurora Group take inventory of, and appropriately store, any on-site waste before proceeding with demolition.
Wheeler noted all waste “must” be disposed of at an approved waste management facility. Rubble from several buildings torn down last spring remain in place at the Wigamog site.
Fearrey expressed his frustration over the situation stretching into the summer.
“It’s disappointing news for the community, but also for council. This has gone on way too long. It’s more disappointing the way the owners have delayed it, time after time with promises they don’t keep,” Fearrey said. “With the ministry involved now, it’s really out of our control [what happens next].”
Aurora Group did not respond to a request for an interview.
