Auroras say Wigamog listing a ‘surprise’ to them

By

-

February 25, 2021

LG-Wig up for sale — The Wigamog has been placed on the market but the Aurora Group says they are working to remedy that situation

The owners of the Wigamog Inn in Haliburton say they have not given up on the property despite it being put on the market.

A listing has gone up for the Kashagawigamog Lake property with an asking price of $4 million. It is being sold by agent, Rose Basir, of Royal LePage Signature Realty in Toronto. According to the listing, the property is being sold by the mortgagee in possession under power of sale.

The site is 1701 and 1741 Wigamog Rd. in Dysart et al, comprising just over 40 acres of land and 13 structures.

CEO of the Aurora Group, Ravi Aurora, told The Highlander on Feb. 23, there was not much he could say because of an ongoing legal battle.

However, “it was not listed with our approval and it was not put up for sale by us,” he said. “We’re obviously not going to take this lightly. We’ve been on it since the day we noticed that it even came up because it was a surprise to us, too.

“All I can say is that we’ll have this all fixed in a short order of time, and then we will just pursue whatever legal avenues that we decide to go with for the repair of the situation.”

Aurora said he was hopeful of updating the community as of the week of March 1.

The Auroras purchased the Wigamog on March 3, 2016 announcing big plans for it, and the Pinestone, which they had purchased the previous year. They are also working towards a gas station, fast food outlet and convenience store on County Road 21 near the entrance to the Pinestone.

Their announced plans for the resort included reopening the inn and The Moose Bar and Grill. There was also talk of a new residential development, with 180-plus units of condos, townhouses and detached homes. However, to date, nothing has been done at the site.

Aurora said those plans have not changed but he admitted they have been slowed and it’s been a challenge and “COVID hasn’t helped.”

He added that the situation at the Wigamog had no bearing on operations at the Pinestone, which he confirmed had come under the Choice Hotels brand. He said they had spent $3 million there since taking it on, including roofs, the driveway, installing LED lighting, purchasing golf carts and updating golf equipment as well as new kitchen equipment. He said they next plan to renovate rooms.

He said they’ve had no return as of yet on that investment and ultimately, they need the revenue to drive their plans.

Informed about the listing last week, Dysart et al Mayor, Andrea Roberts, said in her opinion the sale is “good news.” “

I hope it does sell and that whoever buys it doesn’t just let it sit and fall into further disrepair. We need a developer that can remove the old buildings which will be very costly, and create something for that property that is realistic for Haliburton and fits the needs for our area,” she said.

Aurora acknowledged the Aurora Group also has some work to do in regaining the community’s trust.

“I know it’s going to be a tough battle to gain that confidence again but we are very determined … Our intentions are fully to complete and move forward with everything we have planned.”

Haliburton and Minden hospitals get more money

By

Lisa Gervais

-

February 25, 2021

0

Haliburton Highlands Health Services (HHHS) has received an additional investment of $607,000 through the Central East Local Health Integration Network (LHIN) to address important capital projects to improve operation and build capacity, MPP Laurie Scott’s office said.

In a news release, they said the funding will support a variety of projects including:

• $40,000 for additional repairs to the hospital roof at the Minden site;

• $142,000 for an LED lighting upgrade at the Haliburton site;

• $425,000 to support the replacement of three existing boilers with two new high-efficiency oilfired boilers as part of a facility energy assessment at the Haliburton site.

“These important upgrades and repairs will help our local hospital improve operations and support capacity building to ensure residents of Haliburton and surrounding areas have access to quality health care services,” Scott said.

She added the new funding is in addition to the $722,000 HHHS received through the Health Infrastructure Renewal Fund (HIRF) in one-time funding from the Ministry of Health for the 2020- 2021 year.

The HIRF investment was used to replace boilers and pumps at the Minden site and replace the X-Ray and cafeteria split duct air conditioning units at the Haliburton site.

HHHS President and CEO, Carolyn Plummer, thanked the LHIN and ministry for its support.

“This recent investment supports additional infrastructure upgrades that are necessary to help support the best possible environment in which to continue providing top quality care for our patients, residents, and clients,” she said.

Moylans are lords of their rings

By

Lisa Gervais

-

February 24, 2021

0

JQ - Outdoor Curling - 3 — Susannah and Barry Moylan built an outdoor curling rink on Drag Lake for some extra winter recreation. Photo by Joseph Quigley.

With the pandemic and lockdown shuttering local curling clubs, the Moylan family took matters into their own hands to play their most beloved sport.

They moved to Drag Lake this summer with a plan to build an outdoor, regulation-sized curling rink – with stones, rings, and all. With shovelling, flooding and food colouring, they recently achieved their goal and can now curl right behind their home.

“We’re a big curling family. That’s all we do in the winter,” Susannah Moylan said. “We wanted to put it in so we could play, as well as have our friends and family over. When they come over, we can have fun, have a little bonspiel of our own.”

Curling has otherwise been hard to come by this winter. They moved from Ajax, where their local rink permanently closed. The Haliburton Curling Club ran for about a month before the lockdown halted play. Both the Minden and Wilberforce curling clubs have opted not to open this year.

“We wanted to do it,” Moylan said. “Because of the pandemic, a lot more people are building their own rinks.”

Building and maintaining the rink is a battle against the elements. Barry Moylan, Susannah’s partner, said you must keep up with it.

“Don’t let (snow) build up, because once it’s over five inches, it’s a lot of work,” he said. “There’s been slush – and everything else on there comes through, it changes the levels.”

The couple decided to move to Haliburton as a retirement place, after visiting for a family reunion. They bought land a couple of years ago and recently finished a build.

“It’s small, but it’s big enough,” Susannah Moylan said. “We’re adjusting well to Haliburton. We really like it – I think we made a great decision to come here.”

The family said it has been nice to have a rink with curling clubs shut down. But they said they are eager to get back to the indoor rinks, with Haliburton’s due to reopen Feb. 17.

“Can’t wait,” Susannah Moylan said. “I’m really happy they decided to open because a lot of other curling clubs didn’t.”

Mixing mindfulness with martial arts

By

Lisa Gervais

-

February 24, 2021

0

JQ - Mental Health martial arts - 2 — Point in Time is bringing back its programs that combine mindfulness with martial arts. Photo by Joseph Quigley.

Point in Time is partnering to remotely deliver a mental health martial arts program to kids and youth this month.

The charity is bringing back its Mindfulness Martial Arts and Young Warriors programs, which combine martial arts and yoga with behavioural therapy techniques. The programs, for ages 12-18 and 8-11 respectively, will be delivered online through the Youth Hub for the first time.

The courses will last 18 weeks. Point in Time Family Support’s Melanie Jones said mindfulness practices can be valuable at any time, but even more so at times such as during a pandemic.

“The program really focuses on bringing yourself to the present moment, being with uncomfortable feelings, uncomfortable thoughts and then not judging them,” Jones said. “Change how our thoughts impact us.”

The Mindfulness Martial Arts Program was adapted locally through Haliburton Highlands Secondary School in 2014 but was sidelined by the pandemic. Jones said organizers worked for months to find a way to deliver it remotely, collaborating recently with the Integra Child Development Institute for a new online model.

Kelly Outram is a martial arts instructor with K.O. Martial Arts who is teaching the course for the first time. He said the concept inspired him, as he used both mindfulness and martial arts to help overcome his mental health struggles. He added martial arts offers a good way to improve oneself and gain physical benefits as well.

“You recognize you’re able to do things you could only imagine doing when you started,” Outram said. “If you’re able to stay consistent about it, you get a lot of physical health benefits as well that also keep your mind fresh.”

The programs were previously delivered in-person, but Jones said there are some benefits to online delivery, including home comfort. Parents in the younger course will also take an active role in participation, she said.

With Point in Time also starting a campaign to address connectivity issues for youth in need, Jones said they are willing to work through internet problems.

“We’re willing to work with every family to try and eliminate all of those barriers, whatever they might be,” Jones said.

Outram said he had some reservations on the format, but there is plenty in martial arts that can be taught remotely, even without a partner. He added the mindfulness side of the program should translate well.

“Especially in this pandemic, which has given everyone a whole host of new stresses, and we need new ways to respond to these stresses,” Outram said. “Mindfulness practices is one of the best ways to do that.”

Young Warriors begins Feb. 23 while Mindfulness Martial Arts will have an information night Feb. 22. Information is available by contacting 705-457- 5345 or melaniej@pointintime.ca.

Dysart agrees to boost roads funding in 2021

By

Lisa Gervais

-

February 24, 2021

0

JQ - Dysart road reserves - 2 — Dysart is close to finalizing its 2021 budget, with an expected 1.16 per cent tax rate increase. File photo.

Dysart et al council opted to spend an additional $300,000 for 2021 road projects and washout contingency by drawing from reserves.

Council decided Feb. 12 to draw from a 2020 maintenance budget surplus to fund the initiative, placing $225,000 in a development reserve for 2021 road projects and $75,000 for roadside washouts. Council intends for the funding to help revert more gravel roads to hardtop, if possible. The funding is in addition to $1.52 million committed in 2021 for road capital projects.

“It’s really important we address some of these roads and start fixing them,” Coun. Walt McKechnie said. “Just delaying it doesn’t help.”

The initiative should not impact the Dysart portion of the tax rate, which stands at a 1.16 per cent increase, finalized Feb. 23.

The resurfacing issue has dominated Dysart budget talks. Council is trying to make good on a commitment to revert hardtop roads the municipality previously pulverized to gravel, with priority based on traffic counts. In a report, director of public works, Rob Camelon, said the municipality did this on 37 kilometres of roads, with an estimated cost of $3.3 million to reinstate.

The maintenance reserve from 2020 stems from relatively milder winter weather. Mayor Andrea Roberts and staff expressed some concern about not putting more into maintenance for worse seasonal weather in the future.

“We often hear about the 100-year storm,” treasurer Barbara Swannell said. “The 100-year storm is just a term. The reality is those 100-year storms are happening much quicker.”

Coun. John Smith said it made sense to put less into reserve transfers this year. He said the municipality has plenty of borrowing capacity for a “100-year storm.”

“The problem with the reserves is we’re taking that from the taxpayers,” Smith said. “Some of whom need it.”

He later noted transfers are still solid in other areas such as the working fund reserve, given a $545,660 2020 budget surplus. Roberts said the municipality would have been in a deficit position were it not for the provincial Safe Restart funding.

With budget talks nearing completion, Roberts expressed pride in the draft.

“(Roads) is our biggest expenditure that we have control over. It is where we’re really trying to put tax dollars and use them well and wisely,” Roberts said. “I feel that we’re really, really making progress here in Dysart.”

Local vaccine delivery expected this week

By

Lisa Gervais

-

February 22, 2021

0

With more COVID-19 vaccine shipments expected this week, the local public health agency will be initiating vaccination clinics for the next group to be completed under the provincial vaccine distribution plan.

The Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit (HKPRDHU) said in a Feb. 22 media release that it is expecting to receive more than 4,500 doses of the Pfizer vaccine this week, as well as another 1,700 doses of Moderna.

The Moderna vaccine will be used to provide the second dose to those residents of long-term care and high-risk retirement homes who had received their first dose last month.

The Pfizer vaccine will be used to vaccinate staff of long-term care and retirement homes, essential caregivers in those facilities, and health care workers in area hospitals. Persons receiving Home and Community Care, as well as other members of the community who are 80 years of age and older are scheduled to be vaccinated next, possibly beginning in March.

“We are hearing that the shipment of vaccine expected this week is the beginning of an abundance of available vaccine that will be sent out across the province,” said Dr. Ian Gemmill, acting medical officer of health for the HKPR District Health Unit. “We know that people have been anxiously awaiting their turn to be vaccinated, and I want to assure them that their turn is coming. We just all need to be patient as we receive more vaccine.”

The HKPRDHU is working with local hospitals and health care partners to vaccinate long-term care and retirement home staff, as well as the hospitals’ own staff.

Once additional amounts of vaccine are received, HKPRDHU will begin offering clinics for residents aged 80 years or older.

As soon as clinics for older adults are confirmed, and the registration process finalized, details will be provided to the community on how residents over the age of 80 years can be vaccinated, said Dr. Gemmill.

“Our goal is to ensure that we get the vaccine into as many arms as possible, as quickly as possible,” Dr. Gemmill said. “As soon as we have the vaccine and the details for clinics, we will share that information with our residents so they can get vaccinated.”

Based on the province’s vaccine distribution plan, the next phase of vaccinations will focus on older adults living in the community under the age of 80 years and other higher risk parts of the population, and then eventually all members of the community who wish to be vaccinated.

Haliburton BIA reduces rates

By

Lisa Gervais

-

February 21, 2021

0

JQ - Businesses re-open - 2-web — Haliburton businesses are waiting to see more support from government. Photo by Joseph Quigley.

The Haliburton BIA is reducing its levy eleven per cent due to the impact of the pandemic.

The BIA announced the measure at its annual general meeting Feb. 11. President Luke Schell said it is due to the pandemic cancelling the organization’s usual events, leaving them with an $18,000 surplus in 2020. In total, the BIA will collect $45,000 in 2021, down 11 per cent from $49,980 the previous year.

Schell said the reduction could carry on beyond 2021 as well.

“It’s been a strange year,” Schell said. “We will reduce it over the next couple of years – partly because we just don’t know what’s going to happen.”

The BIA is still budgeting for its usual slate of events in 2021 – including Frost Fest, Colour Fest, the Santa Parade and Ladies Shopping Night. But treasurer Nelly Ashworth said the levy could decrease again if those events cannot go ahead.

“Slowly, once we hopefully get out of this and life’s going to come back to relatively normal, we can slowly increase it again should need be,” Ashworth said.

However, she noted the BIA was still able to do other things in the pandemic such as increasing its advertising and Buy In and Win contest funding. In an address, Mayor Andrea Roberts said it has been a difficult year for the downtown.

“I do want to share with you at this time how proud I am of how the businesses in the downtown BIA have adapted and accommodated and shifted in this everchanging world of the pandemic,” she said. “Some of you are busier than you’ve ever been and some of you are hurting immensely.”

She added the municipality did start a recovery committee, but it is not meeting right now because “we’re not in recovery mode.” But she said they would inform the BIA when the committee reconvenes to discuss how to help local businesses.

Schell said one of the more successful BIA initiatives was working with the municipality to expand downtown patios in the summer due to pandemic restrictions.

“Really appreciated having the municipality fast track that,” Schell said.

He added the BIA will likely do it again this summer. However, he noted it is a debatable subject and there are liability concerns.

“But I think most people are pretty happy with that kind of service on main street,” Schell said. The BIA board once again remained mostly static. There was only one change – Upriver Trading Co. owner Mike Mckeon replacing Sharon Rowden.

“I know that we all enjoy serving our community in this fashion and we look forward to spending another year here,” Schell said. “Hopefully, 2020 is hindsight.”

Dysart eyes action on short-term rentals

By

Lisa Gervais

-

February 20, 2021

0

JQ - Short-term rental ban - 1-web — Photo via flikr.

Dysart et al councillors want to address short-term rentals as part of efforts to improve service delivery.

Council combed through its service delivery review in a special meeting Feb. 16. The document, first presented by consultant StrategyCorp in September, highlighted seven key initiatives for the municipality. Those included recommendations to address short-term rentals, strategic planning, customer service, landfills, the sewage treatment plant, and digitizing the roads department.

StrategyCorp estimated a potential for $700,000 in new cash flow. Council went through the next steps for each of the items. For rentals, they plan to have online platform iHost present about an online licencing system.

“My patience is up,” deputy mayor Patrick Kennedy said. “There’s a lot of work to be done, but I think the time for waiting is over.”

StrategyCorp recommended some type of regulatory response to short-term rentals, whether through a licencing system, a municipal accommodation tax, or both, implemented between 2022-2023. It estimated an effort could bring $75,000- $268,000 in increased revenue to the township.

Kennedy has previously said it is an issue the County should take up, given the struggles all four lower-tier townships are having with it. But both Kennedy and Mayor Andrea Roberts said that is not happening. Still, Roberts said it is important to communicate with the other townships to ensure consistency.

Coun. Tammy Donaldson said she studied the issue extensively. She said licencing is not necessary and suggested providing homeowners with easy-to-access resources on municipal rules to provide to renters.

“Short-term rentals bring more people into the area,” Donaldson said. “Licensing is not the answer to get the homeowners to comply, because the majority do a good job.”

Coun. Larry Clarke said he gets more complaints on the issue than anything else and there is a concern with people purchasing cottages solely to rent them out.

“A short-term rental property that’s primarily for that purpose, it is a business. It is not a residence. It has to be looked at differently,” Clarke said.

Making progress

Council discussed progress made in other areas of the review – and next steps for longer-term initiatives.

They intend to put more policies in place to standardize customer service response times. The digitizing of the roads department is underway, including a platform for online bids and tenders. A short-term waste management review was received by council in January from consultant J2PG with a subsequent education session to come. Recreation facilities and sewage treatment plant changes are longer-term projects without immediate plans, though a land donation for a possible site for a new recreation centre is processing.

As for strategic planning, CAO Tamara Wilbee said $25,000 is budgeted this year. Roberts said she hopes the plan is finished by May 2022, before the election cycle.

Coun. John Smith raised the issue with getting a strategic plan in place so late in council’s term, potentially restricting the next council.

Wilbee responded there will be a four-year planning cycle and an annual review of the strategic plan.

“It’s a very live document. That’s the intention,” she said.

Centre lake development launches consultation

By

Lisa Gervais

-

February 20, 2021

0

JQ - Centre Lake update - 1 — A map of the Centre Lake Crown reserve under consideration for disposal, at the behest of private developments. Photo via Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry.

Granite Shores is holding an online public consultation for a massive new cottage and resort development it is proposing on Centre Lake utilizing Crown Land.

The development launched a website to engage the public on the project, which is proposed to include a 60-suite resort and wellness spa, 28 cottage lots and a commercial area tapping into the maple trees in the area. The developer seeks to utilize a 200-foot Crown reserve along the lake. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry has agreed to move forward with disposing of the land after a consultation process.

Public engagement manager, Steven Megannety, said they are responding to some Highlands East council concerns at a Dec. 15 meeting about ensuring a strong public consultation process.

“We want to make certain that there’s robust consultation,” Megannety said. “We figured that the best way to do it was to put all the information out there and say, ‘here’s what the project is’.”

The website includes an FAQ and summary of the project. It also has a series of reports, including applications, planning, economic and environmental analysis. Megannety said they made the website of their own volition, separate from any government plans for consultation. They have already had more than 70 responses.

Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry regional planner, Pauline Capelle, said the provincial consultation on proposed policy amendment to consider the sale of the Centre Lake Crown reserve is still to come. She said the timing of the consultation is difficult to predict but it should be posted in the coming months. Anyone interested in being added to a mailing list for that can contact pauline.capelle@ontario.ca.

The developers estimate about $40 million in new economic activity in the region, 75 construction jobs and 30-50 new jobs after the project finishes. Megannety said they are also consulting with Indigenous peoples in the area and plan to allot a parcel in the commercial area for them.

Megannety said Granite Shores conforms to County and official plans. The developers are assuring public access to the lake will be maintained – with plans to create a new access road and improve the existing boat launch point. B

But councillors have said there is some public concern. Jacqueline Ziorjen has frequented the area for many years. She said the lake is an oasis and called it “heartwrenching” to see it developed.

“These wonderful places we can access are being developed, so they lose the charm,” she said.

She added even if Granite Shores can maintain accessibility, the extra traffic could mean the spot is never the same.

Regardless of whether the Granite Shores is successful in getting Crown Land, Megannety said they plan to go ahead with privately-owned land nearby. He also said a new County bylaw in the works to restrict development within 30 metres of shorelines would also not stop the development, though added they are watching the bylaw closely.

Megannety said they hope to be in the final planning stages by the end of the year.

“We’re trying to come up with some solutions that make sense,” he said. “Obviously for the development, but also for the community.”

The consultation is available at letstalkcentrelake.ca.

Doing the reopening dance

By

Lisa Gervais

-

February 19, 2021

0

Balancing our collective desire to stay healthy with our instinct to want to support our local businesses can be a tricky dance.

We’ve taken to the floor again this week, but unlike the summer reopening, we’ve now got three new strains of the Coronavirus to contend with.

At a time when we’re all weary of this pandemic, we have to challenge ourselves to be even more vigilant in order to stave off the predicted third wave.

As most of you know, our health unit area is categorized as orange. That means we have been able to return to local restaurants for in-person dining. Gyms and fitness clubs are getting back to in-studio training. We can go back to retail stores. We can get our hair cut. Some small-scale entertainment can begin again. We can get together with family and friends – up to 10 people indoors and up to 25 outdoors.

But just because we can, doesn’t mean we should.

Acting medical officer of health, Dr. Ian Gemmill, said although the stay-at-home order has been lifted, we still have a moral obligation to do all that we can to stop the spread. He is pleading with people not to gather with others and to continue to stay home and only go out for essential reasons.

He points out the new variants are more easily spread and have just made their way into our health unit area. He is worried about them contributing to sudden surges locally.

Dr. Nell Thomas provides a very good overview of the three new variants in Covid Corner (below).

They have become a game changer. They have altered the battlefield. If you’ve had COVID-19, there’s no guarantee you can’t get one of the variants. Labs have had to change their analysis of swabs. All positive tests are being checked for the variants.

The good news, according to Dr. Thomas, is the current vaccines should still be fairly successful in fighting off both COVID19 and its variants. And more companies are developing new vaccines. In other words, there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Now, we just have to make sure our community gets through that tunnel.

While in many ways, choosing how you support the economy is a personal decision, we urge locals to keep community in mind in their choices.

For example, you can dine-in, but the business will make just as much money or more if you opt for takeout.

We don’t know of many local churches that are opening their doors, even though they can. There continue to be very few weddings. For some, being able to have a small gathering of a celebration of life may take precedent. Being able to go into retail shops, versus ordering online and doing curbside pickup, is certainly more convenient for many of us. Some of us badly need a haircut.

So, do those things if you must. However, to repeat what we now hope is the obvious: masks must be worn, people need to stay two metres apart from anyone who is outside of their household, wash those hands.

And perhaps most importantly, if you are serious about boosting the local economy, stop with the Amazon and other out-of-town orders and confine your spending to Haliburton County. Don’t view this as a green light to jump in the car and head to Huntsville, Bancroft, Bracebridge, Lindsay and Peterborough.