Fort Frances council approved the request submitted by the Community Service Division to lease the Sorting Gap Marina to a for profit organization.
Aaron Bisson, culture and recreation manager, said the Community Service Division is tasked with providing service to Fort Frances residents. This includes departments within the division such as the library, the Fort Frances Museum and the Memorial Sports Centre.
“We just don’t have the ability to offer an expanded service that potentially another operator could,” Bisson said. “I see great benefit to an operator coming in with some ideas and some plans to expand what is being offered there and turning it around and making it a profitable venture.”
Bisson said the Sorting Gap Marina falls outside of the Community Service Division framework because it is more of a for profit organization.
“There are a lot of things that we can’t or won’t do out of the sorting gap,” Bisson said. “As a town, we provide service for citizens, so it’s not our focus to be a for profit business. Allowing an outside operator to operate will allow us to focus on some of the buildings that are under our control.”
Businesses interested in leasing the Sorting Gap Marina have to meet certain requirements set by the Community Services Division. One of the main requirements, Bisson said, is proving they will provide a greater benefit than what the town is providing.
Only one proposal of those submitted will be chosen, Bisson said. He adds that it is not necessary that any proposal will be chosen either in case the Community Services Division sees no added benefits to Fort Frances residents.
During the council meeting held on Monday, Coun. Wendy Brunetta expressed concern that the future leasing organization may stop the sale of ice cream, a move that would potentially sadden Fort Frances residents who like their scoops while walking their dogs.
Doug Brown, chief administrative officer, said they will add the sale of ice cream to be included in all proposals in order to be considered for leasing.
Bisson said they will be looking at a five-year leasing period with the possibility of extension. Bisson added that they will not put parameters on how the business chooses to utilize the space.
“It’s a prime location,” Bisson said. “It’s a gateway to Rainy Lake. There are a ton of options. The possibilities are endless. It’s a really nice piece of property. They could operate a water sports business over there, they could be renting Sea-Doos or boats, they could be having a restaurant location there and there could be an expanded convenience store.”
According to the requirements set out by the Community Service Division, a minimum rental amount of $6,458 and 10 per cent of gross revenue is required to offset taxes, insurance, dock maintenance and the Beach Management Agreement. The lease is a year round lease and the operator will be responsible for all costs associated with the building over the year, however only five rent payments will be made starting in May and ending in September each year.
In the report submitted by Bisson to council, he said although the turn-around time for this year is tight for a new operator to take over, he believes it is still possible.
Bisson said finding an operator for the Sorting Gap will allow the town to focus its efforts on improving operations in its recreational facilities and other operations under the Community Service Division.
