A bit of a surprise for Saugeen Shores as the federal government has offered to transfer ownership of Chantry Island to Bruce County.
Bruce County has received a letter from the Department of Public Works saying they have until August 28th to express interest in taking over ownership of Chantry Island, which has been declared surplus.
That news comes as a surprise to County Councillor and Saugeen Shores Mayor Mike Smith.
He says the town has been in ongoing talks with the federal government over the divestiture of the island.
Saugeen Shores Council had already moved to assume ownership of the island — home of a historic Imperial Lighthouse.
County Council is interested in seeing if the County could one day end up owning and operating all of the historic lighthouses for both tourist and navigational purposes.
They’ll talk it and the possibility of assuming Chantry Island when the Agriculture, Tourism, and Planning Committee meets next week (AUG 20).
Smith says whatever the decision, Saugeen Shores will still go ahead with plans to take over the island — but is open to discussion on a broader county program.
Smith says it might be worth looking at in the bigger picture, especially since the federal government also plans to unload other lighthouses.
He’s impressed with the work the Marine Heritage Society in Saugeen Shores does at running boat tours to Chantry Island and the lighthouse.
Smith says he wouldn’t want to see that jeopardized if the County took over the island — and would only support the idea if the local involvement could continue.
The Chantry Island Lighthouse is a classified building on the Federal Heritage Buildings Review.
The Island is also a designated migratory bird sanctuary.