First Nations offering cottage lots

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 10/10/2009 (6117 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Manitobans will soon get a crack at buying cottage lots at a new Lake Winnipeg development.

The 88 lots are part of new subdivision on land owned by Fisher River Cree Nation and by the province at Fisher Bay, and will be available for purchase next year.

The venture is the first of what will be several projects promoted by First Nations communities to open up more of the province for cottage development. The payback for First Nations is as landowners they’ll benefit economically — providing many of the services for new cottage owners, from building cottages to selling milk and gas, garbage pickup and pumping out holding tanks.

"Manitobans like their cottages and like to spend money on them," Conservation Minister Stan Struthers said before signing an agreement with Fisher River Cree Nation Chief David Crate.

Crate said the Bay River venture is one that will benefit the entire Interlake area.

The Bay River project is less than three hours from Winnipeg on the west side of Lake Winnipeg.

"We’re also going to be looking at the possibility of future cottage developments in the area because we have more land situated close to this particular development," Crate said, adding a golf course is also a possibility.

Selkirk-Interlake Conservative MP James Bezan said federal money will be made available to Fisher River Cree Nation to help in the development’s start-up costs.

Crate said most of the area where cottages are to be built has sand beach. Access to the development is off Provincial Road 224. The town of Fisher River Cree Nation is about five kilometres south of the development.

A marina is already close by.

Crate and Struthers said lots will be included in the province’s cottage lot draw as early as this spring. Lots close to the water are expected to fetch more than $40,000.

Struthers added the Fisher River project is part of the province’s plan to open up 1,000 cottage spots while at the same time creating jobs for First Nations. The province is also working with Black River First Nation, Sagkeeng First Nation Hollow Water First Nation and Opaskwayak Cree Nation.

"We want to change the focus of this commitment of 1,000 cottage lots," Struthers said. "We want the benefits flowing to First Nations."

More information on Manitoba’s cottage program will be posted in the coming months at www.gov.mb.ca/conservation/cottaging.

bruce.owen@freepress.mb.ca