While both sides work towards a long-term solution to the expiration of the 99-year Agency One land lease, local residents and tourists can rest assured they will be able to keep using Pither’s Point Park this year.
The town said in a press release issued yesterday that “an agreement has been reached in accordance with the wishes of the First Nations and the town,” and that the town “will continue to maintain the park for the enjoyment of all people.”

“There was an agreement between the First Nations and the town that it is going to remain a park for the upcoming year,” Fort Frances CAO Mark McCaig said yesterday afternoon.
“We are going to maintain it and we hope everybody enjoys it.
“We’re looking forward to some mediation we’ve agreed to and seeing where that heads,” McCaig added. “Hopefully we can work with all the parties to find some areas of mutual satisfaction.”
The agreement is not considered a lease extension, and the town is not paying any additional fees, McCaig confirmed.
Any other details are not being disclosed.
Legal counsel for the town had filed a notice of motion in court last week, and was expected to appear in court here yesterday to ask a judge to consider allowing the town to keep running the park until ongoing litigation between Couchiching, Naicatchewenin, Nicickousemenecaning, and Stanjikoming First Nations and the federal, provincial, and municipal governments is resolved, or as long as the Ontario Order-in-Council that initially declared the area “a park” remains in effect.
But the matter was adjourned by mutual consent of both parties.