Owandem

The town of Fort Frances will seek proposals that bring the Hallett back to its former resting spot.

It reverses a previous plan to have the historic logging vessel and the Owandem, another used on Rainy Lake, to be displayed along the waterfront.

Council opted for an alternative after a lone bid on the project came in at over $1.7 million.

Councillor Mike Behan is concerned with putting the Hallet back into the Rainy River.

The boat was removed in 2022 when rising waters caused it to lift out of an underwater cradle.

Behan says they could be facing the same thing in the future.

“I’ve never been in favor of putting it back in the water,” says Behan.

“I think we’re just asking for trouble again. I really fear that if we have another high water event, we’re going to have the same problem,” says Behan.

The return of the Hallett to the river is part of a three-part project.

According to a report from Administration, once the Hallett is placed, the town will turn its attention to the display of the Owandem on the waterfront.

The final part of the project is restoration work on the Hallett.

Operations and Facilities Manager Travis Rob admits that work will cost more if the vessel is in the water.

“We do have a provision in the option to put it back in the water for doing the hull,” says Rob.

“That way, we don’t have to lift it back out of the water to paint the whole vessel. However, sandblasting and painting the rest of the boat will require some pretty elaborate hoarding, particularly if it is back in the water.”

The first phase of the project will include assessing the current cribs and making any repairs if required.

The town received in March 2024 $442,368 from the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund for the project.

The town committed another $147,456 and has used $63,000 on the design of the previous proposal.

The Hallett has remained on blocks in the waterfront parking lot since 2022.

The Owandem is in storage in the public works yard.