Lake of Bays Township to sell public properties on Bigwin Island

The municipality says that the properties were rarely used

Lake of Bays Council agreed to sell its public properties on Bigwin Island, in the June 3, 2025, meeting.

According to the staff report, February 2024 Council directed staff to “investigate the option of potential development of some or all of the parcels that may be suitable for development.”

After a review by staff, they recommended declaring two of the Townships Bigwin Island properties “as surplus.”

The properties include Part Lot 28 and Part Lot 29, and Lot 44, which will be listed with the Township’s realtor.

The report adds that Chestnut Park Real Estate Brokerage, in Baysville, was awarded the contract, who estimated “values for both properties with recommended selling prices…up to $850,000.”

The costs for selling the properties include legal fees, 5% realtor fees, plus HST. 

The report indicates, “The Director of Corporate Services/Clerk, is hereby instructed to dispose of the said properties pursuant to listing with the Realtor of Record and be authorized to establish listing values for the said subject properties.”

The Clerk, along with the CAO and Township’s Solicitor, has also been authorized to negotiate the purchase price and terms and agreements for the sale.

Councillor, Nancy Tapley, indicated, “The assessment is low.”

Staff said it’s the 2016 evaluation, however, “would go on the market at market value.”

Councillor, George Anderson, inquired about whether the property is used by the public or if they “know about it.”

The Superintendent of Parks and Facilities, Scott MacKinnon, indicated that the publicly owned land, “is used by people that walk along the island.” He added, “Not many people know it exists.”

Councillor, Robert Lacroix, suggested “use would add a lot of hardships to the Parks Department,” because of maintenance.