Sunny Cove Camp could go up for sale following recommendation from Fort Frances Kiwanis Club

Another report on the future of Sunny Cove Camp is to come before Fort Frances council later this month.

This after a recommendation came from the Kiwanis Club that the camp be sold or leased to someone else.

The Kiwanis Club operated the camp between 1957 and 2009 before deciding to turn it over to the town.

The camp has not operated since 2019.

In a letter to the town signed by club president Lori Maki, she writes that the sell-off of the camp would be in the best interest of the club and the town.

Proceeds of the sale would go to the Club

“The sale of Sunny Cove Camp by the Town of Fort Frances to the Kiwanis Club will ensure the long-term viability and financial stability of the Kiwanis Club; allow the Club to focus its resources and attention to community service projects and initiatives that directly impact children and families; create new opportunities for growth, relevance, and sustainability of the Club into the future,” states the letter

The club’s position differs from what town council previously committed to.

They supported fixing up Russell Hall, the camp’s main building, and removing other derelict buildings.

At the same time, Administration was in discussion with the Kiwanis Club to help with the future planning of the camp..

The future of the camp came into question earlier this year when tenders to repair Russell Hall came in much higher than expected.

The town was awarded a Northern Ontario Heritage Fund grant for the project.

Chief Building Official John Burrows says they will use the recommendation from the Kiwanis Club as part of a new report for council to consider.

“The next report will be a recommendation to council to direct administration with proceeding with either option one and two as previously supported or proceeding with direction four as supported by the Kiwanis club,” says Burrows.

That report is scheduled to be presented to council at their next meeting.