MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

July 2020

I am pleased to report that during 2019 and the first half of 2020, the OHPS achieved many of its priorities. Thank you to our donors!

1. A section of the Walking Trail was restored to connect the back docks and the Swim Pavilion to the main trails.

2. The restored Gift Shop opened this month.

3. Construction is now complete on the historic Pinewood cottage.

4. A project to restore the back boathouse is being investigated, and a committee has been formed to develop a plan.

BOARD CHANGES

The OHPS Board was stable and consistent from the previous year. I wish to thank the contributions and the commitment of the Board members throughout the year. It has turned out to be the biggest year for Ojibway restorations in many years and this has required the involvement of every person on the Board.

Terry Clark completed a year as Past President as defined in the OHPS by-Laws. Terry has played a major role in OHPS and we appreciate how he guided restorations, developed improved governance and left the OHPS in very stable financial condition. Terry has always demonstrated a passion for the Ojibway and that remains as he is willing to pass on his valued experience in matters of the OHPS.

THE GIFT SHOP RESTORATION

The restored Gift Shop was designed by CS&P Architects and Watt Retail with construction by Rolar Contractors. The restored Gift Shop required blasting to provide a full useful floor inside. It also required that the floor level be raised 14 inches due to the current record high water levels. All the design is consistent with features of the Gift Shop dating back to the very early days of the Ojibway. The Gift Shop along with the Grocery Store is the heart of the vibrant dock activity of the Ojibway today and days past.

Features of the restored Gift Shop building include:

More useable floor space even though it is built to the same footprint.

Better access doors and shopper flow through with two enlarged entrances.

Better natural lighting in side with more windows and large windows.

More weatherproof and secure permitting protection and storage of goods inside.

Better ventilation for the comfort of staff and shoppers.

Open truss construction.

Features of the Gift Shop functionality include:

Improved display and inventory placement.

Service Counters better placed for staff to manage the shop

Service window and plumbing for staff to offer beverages to all visitors on the dock.

The open scissor trusses were made on Manitoulin Island by IWS Wood Products.

The trusses are made of fir, which was widely used by Hamilton Davis in the original construction of the Ojibway buildings.

PINEWOOD

In 2018, the OHPS hoped that Pinewood could be restored. We credit Terry Clarke and John O’Connell for engineering a plan with a generous donor to enable the restoration of Pinewood.

Pinewood was built in the early days of the Ojibway and was the residence of Hamilton Davis, the entrepreneur, owner and operator of the Ojibway from 1906 to the 1930’s. Pinewood is advertised on an Ojibway Brochure for 1940 as: “Pinewood Cottage for rent: Two rooms with double beds, one room with single bed. Outside toilet. Veranda overlooking the Bay. $200/week for 4 persons with meals included in the Hotel Dining Room.”

The chimney for Pinewood has stood lonely in the bush since the cabin was torn down in the 1990’s. Now the old chimney is part of the restored cabin. Pinewood was designed by ERA Architects, which specializes in heritage architecture, and constructed by Ballentine Construction. It was constructed on the same footprint and using the same features as the original.

BOATHOUSE

Gail Regan and her family have been big supporters of the Ojibway since they arrived in 1968. Gail has always had a particular passion for sailing and she has long supported sailing within PABIA and at the Ojibway.

It was Gail who came to the Ojibway and asked questions about boathouses on Ojibway Island and whether one could be restored for the needs of the sailing community.

Nancy Lang started a historical investigation and found there was a Desmasdons Boathouse on the shore past the Gas Docks. Nancy Rogers then produced a very old picture of two boathouses at the back of the island.

Now the sailing community, under the leadership of Stephen Griggs, the Commodore of the PABIA sailing group, has taken a very enthusiastic posture to develop a plan for Boathouse restoration for the benefit of the Ojibway and PABIA. A committee has been struck that includes Greg Cooper, Steve Ramsay, Stephen Griggs, Erica Allen and Leslie Taylor. This committee represents PABIA, Ojibway and OHPS and will define the functionality they envision for a restored boathouse.

ONGOING SUPPORT

The Ojibway is clearly the beating heart of Pointe au Baril. Many families who are fortunate to enjoy the benefits of The Ojibway know how it adds to the summer experience in Pointe au Baril.

The OHPS role at The Ojibway is critical to the health of the community around it. The Gift Shop building had deteriorated to a sad state. Generous donations have made it possible for restoration. Pinewood was lost almost 30 years ago, but it has now been resurrected. Again, generous donations have made this possible. Thank you to everyone who made donations this past year.

If you were able to donate as a “Friend” of the Ojibway, we thank you. We appreciate all the support.

The establishment of OHPS in 2001 has resulted in the rescue of buildings, the rescue of history. The OHPS now helps ensure it will be there for future generations.

Bill Watts,
President & Board Chair
The Ojibway Historical Preservation Society