Dysart et al mayor Murray Fearrey has said the township is trying to get things moving again with the demolition of the Wigamog Inn after a portion of the main lodge’s roof recently caved in.
Work has been on hold since June 2023, when the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) intervened following reports of species at-risk residing in the area. A 14-month investigation wrapped up in the fall, with MECP informing owner, Aurora Group, it must meet requirements under the Environmental Protection Act for waste audits, waste reduction, and source separation of waste materials before work can continue.
The ministry also required Aurora Group to meet certain requirements under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) after it was determined at-risk bats, and the eastern hognosed snake reside on the property.
“We remain engaged with the owner regarding species at-risk assessments and waste audits prior to resuming demolition activities,” MECP spokesperson Gary Wheeler told The Highlander Nov. 5. “We will continue to stay on top of this issue and be involved as necessary.”
Asked whether the collapsed roof changed anything from the ministry’s perspective, Wheeler said it didn’t.
“Municipalities are the lead agencies for upholding property standards,” he said. “The ministry remains available to support the property owner and the Township of Dysart.”
Speaking this week, Fearrey expressed frustration over the protracted demolition likely stretching into another calendar year.
“They’ve (the ministry) made it clear to me [Aurora Group] has to get a clearance before they can start again,” he said, noting as of Nov. 12 the owners had still yet to appropriately deal with the at-risk bats. “I suggested to the ministry that the building isn’t safe now. I don’t know how you’re going to save these bats and other wildlife if the roof completely caves in. We have to move now.”
After indicating at a recent Dysart council meeting he would be in favour of the township taking over demolition, Fearrey confirmed that remains the plan.
“Once we get the clearance, absolutely we will [issue an RFP to] have someone come in. We’ve got to clean that mess up. We want to get at it – we’ve got a month here yet before snow falls by the look of it. If we can get someone in, we will, but it’s not likely,” Fearrey said.
Aurora Group president, Shawn Aurora, told The Highlander in September he hoped to have the remaining structures on the Wigamog property torn down by the end of the year. He did not respond to emailed questions for this story as of press time.
The township toyed with the idea of issuing an RFP for demolition in spring 2023, before Aurora Group started the project, with chief building official, Karl Korpela, estimating the cost to be north of $1 million.
Fearrey acknowledges that number will be higher now, but said the township could seize the property if Dysart taxpayers foot the bill and Aurora Group doesn’t compensate.
“I think that’s a pretty valuable piece of property. It includes two resorts. There’s about 45 acres that’s on sewer,” Fearrey said. “We’ll get out of it OK [if we have to go in], I’m not afraid of that.”
The mayor said, after discussing with bylaw officials, the roof cave-in doesn’t change anything from a property standards perspective – the property has already been labelled as being in a state of disrepair, with the department outlining 47 bylaw infractions between 2019 and 2022 for issues varying from downed power lines to smashed windows, damaged doors, and collapsed decks.
Given the requirements surrounding the at-risk bats, Fearrey said he expects demolition to be paused through winter.
The township is planning action, however – Fearrey said he wants to issue an RFP to have a contractor come in and haul away discarded materials from the dozen or so cabins that were torn down last spring. He hopes that can be done before the snow falls.
Fearrey also said he’ll continue to push MECP for a resolution.
“The ministry told me they were going to see if there would be any forgiveness [on the species at-risk] so we can get going – that was two weeks ago and I haven’t heard back. They’re not playing ball here,” Fearrey said. “We look bad – we’re not intending to look bad, we want to do the right thing, but the ministry can tie your hands so badly with this stuff.
“I’ve never experienced anything like this and I don’t want to again… just know, this remains top of mind for the township,” the mayor added.
