THUNDER BAY — A historic lighthouse located at Shaganash Island, 55 kilometres east of Thunder Bay near the tip of the Black Bay Peninsula, has been transferred to Canadian Lighthouses of Lake Superior.
The Thunder Bay-based not-for-profit group had been lobbying the federal government to make the move for the past decade.
A spokesperson for Fisheries and Oceans Canada said the new owners may continue to operate the light privately for tourism purposes, but the Canadian Coast Guard will no longer maintain it as it does not consider it to be required for navigational purposes.
The transfer became possible after the government designated the Shaganash Island lighthouse under the Heritage Lighthouse Protection Act, which requires the heritage character of the lighthouse to remain intact, and that it be reasonably maintained.
Paul Morralee, spokesperson for Canadian Lighthouses of Lake Superior, said designation as a lighthouse heritage site will allow the organization to pursue additional funding opportunities.
The lighthouse was originally constructed in 1910, but the tower burned down and was replaced by the existing structure in 1922.
Canadian Lighthouses of Lake Superior has been responsible for maintenance under a lease agreement with the government since 2014.
There's currently a picnic table, camping area, and toilet facility but the group aims to add more amenities for visiting boaters and kayakers.
The organization was created to develop lighthouse visits on Lake Superior for tourism and economic development purposes.
The group also leases the Porphyry Island lighthouse at the mouth of Black Bay and the Trowbridge Island lighthouse at the foot of the Sleeping Giant.
Ultimately, it would like to obtain ownership of them as well.
