Scout’s Island has been listed as surplus by the Municipality of West Nipissing and is now for sale. The Municipal Office is accepting bids, with the reserve bid starting at $175,000.
Located near John Street, on the East side of the bridge, Scout’s Island is about 3.8 acres within the upper part of the Sturgeon River (above the dam) in Sturgeon Falls. There’s a building on the island that the local Scouts troup used – hence the island’s nickname – but the structure has fallen into disrepair.
‘The work needed is approximately $72,000,’ to fix the building, estimated Jay Barbeau, West Nipissing’s Chief Administrative Officer. He mentioned this during a May 7th council meeting, during which council decided to declare the land surplus.
The Scout troupe has left the region, handing in the building’s keys about eight years ago. “We haven’t really maximized the use of that island,” Barbeau said.
Council decided in May that it would see if any other groups had an interest in using the building. Early this week, the Municipality put it on the sale’s block.
Councillor Kris Rivard suggested if the property does not sell, the Municipality could look into keeping it as a green space for the community. However, councillors warned there might be too much liability involved in that plan.
However, the option could still be on the table if no bids come in.
See: West Nipissing is taking tenders for tax sale lands
Barbeau noted that “a significant current” streams past the island in spring and fall. “To make it usable, we’d probably have to add a lot of gating and controls to make it safe for the public.”
Councillor Roch St-Louis agreed, noting it best to “err on the side of caution” with the island. He recalled as a young Scout he spent time on the island, with “one or two individuals watching 30 kids, and nothing ever happened, knock on wood.”
However, now he would recommend adding more barriers and gates for safety’s sake. And spending the $72,000 to improve the building, “would not be enough to keep it safe for children” playing on the island.
Bids will be accepted until November 22nd at 2 p.m. A site visit is scheduled for November 14th, at 2 p.m.
Care to buy an island? Visit the municipality’s website for all the details, including how to submit a bid.
David Briggs is a Local Journalism Initiative reporter who works out of BayToday, a publication of Village Media. The Local Journalism Initiative is funded by the Government of Canada.
