Staff
As the new owners of Sunny Cove Camp are getting ready to take bookings for the year ahead, the Town of Fort Frances will allow weddings to take place there in addition to hosting youth camps and other activities.
The public will be able to book weddings in May, June, and September, and, if available, on weekends in July and August.
In a written report to council last night, Community Services manager George Bell said the Sunny Cove Camp advisory committee has had two meetings to discuss policy and practices for the upcoming camping season—and much of the conversation was focused on making the camp available for weddings.
While there’s been some concerns from the Fort Frances Kiwanis Club (the previous owners) regarding liability and insurance costs, Bell said since the town already makes other facilities available for weddings, he doesn’t see an issue with this.
He added some committee members felt the camp might only be open five days a week to leave weekends open for weddings, but Bell said the camp’s primary purpose is youth resident camping and, as such, weddings should be limited to the “shoulder seasons” (i.e., May, June, and September) and any weekends that may be available in July and August.
The wedding policy will be evaluated at the end of the year to see if it needs to be changed next year.
Also at last night’s meeting, council approved the terms and conditions for users of Sunny Cove Camp.
These will be available at the Memorial Sports Centre, where bookings can be made in person or by calling Lynne Savage (274-4561).
Council members in attendance last night were deputy mayor Sharon Tibbs and Couns. John Albanese, Paul Ryan, and Rick Wiedenhoeft.
Mayor Roy Avis, Couns. Ken Perry and Andrew Hallikas, and Fort Frances CAO Mark McCaig are away for the annual Ontario Good Roads Association/Rural Ontario Municipal Association conference in Toronto.
Also last night, council:
•passed a bylaw to authorize the entering into of lease agreements at the Fort Frances Airport;
•passed a bylaw to amend Town of Fort Frances Bylaw 10/03 (traffic control bylaw) in order to correct inconsistencies between certain provisions and bring the bylaw up to date with current traffic control measures in place;
•approved a recommendation from the Police Services Board that quarterly reports from OPP detachment commander Insp. John Kendrick be received by council the first scheduled council meetings in February, May, and October (this is to ensure the reports are made to the Police Services Board before they are made to council);
•agreed to buy a table of eight at the annual “Community Chest” benefit dinner slated for March 7 at La Place Rendez-Vous; and
•agreed to have Mayor Roy Avis attend the 22nd-anniversary M&M Meat Shops Charity BBQ on May 8 (other members of council also are welcome to come flip burgers).
