THUNDER BAY -- The City of Thunder Bay is looking into whether it should take over the operation of the federally-operated docking area at Fisherman's Park on the north-side waterfront.
The property at the mouth of the Current River is already owned by the city, but has been leased to Fisheries and Oceans Canada since 1985. The department's Small Craft Harbours Branch owns all the infrastructure including four docks, a launching ramp, light standards and electrical pedestals.
"Fisheries and Oceans Canada has recently contacted the city about taking over the operation through the Department's divestiture program," A government spokesperson told tbnewswatch.com in an email.
Communications advisor Rosaleen O'Mahony added the "commercial fishers have requested that Fisheries and Oceans cancel its lease ... to allow the City of Thunder Bay to continue managing and operating the site on their behalf."
O'Mahony added that as a next step in the process, the city is proposing an engineering investigation of the infrastructure and looking into the environmental condition of the property.
The city is currently arranging for an inspection of the docks. Engineering and Operations director Kayla Dixon said the city is performing due diligence before proceeding with negotiations, to see if any of the infrastructure needs to be rehabilitated or replaced. She expects the inspection will be done before the end of the year.
A spokesperson for the commercial fishery could not be reached for comment for this story, but Dixon said the group is "obviously making sure that (the dock) continues to be maintained and that they have use of it."
