Posted on 05/14/2011, 10:16 am, by mySteinbach

Applications are now being accepted for a June 30 cottage lot draw that offers Manitoba families a piece of cottage country along Lake Winnipeg. This announcement was made by Conservation Minister Bill Blaikie.

“We know Manitobans love to take advantage of the outdoors every chance they get,” said Blaikie. “The cottage lot draw program and partnerships like this give more Manitoba families the opportunity to create their own wilderness retreat and enjoy our province’s famous cottage country.”

There will be 86 cottage lots available for sale in the new Bay River subdivision, approximately 200 kilometres north of Winnipeg, along the sandy beaches of Lake Winnipeg. The project is a joint-development agreement with Chief David Crate and the council of Fisher River Cree Nation.

“This type of development creates valuable business and job opportunities for people in the community of the Fisher River Cree Nation,” said Blaikie. “These kinds of partnerships provide benefits for everyone involved.”

The new Bay River subdivision involves provincial Crown land and private lands owned by Bay River Developments, a Manitoba corporation owned by Fisher River Cree Nation. There are 25 waterfront lots, three lake-view lots, 35 back-tier lots and 23 cul-de-sac lots ready for cottage construction. Lots start as low as $7,000 while waterfront lots range from $30,000 to $46,000.

“The Bay River development is an excellent example of government working in collaboration with First Nation communities to create economic opportunities,” said Crate. “This project will create opportunities for Fisher River Cree Nation members as well as the surrounding area. The development will provide employment opportunities for Fisher River Cree Nation members such as construction and independent businesses as well as ongoing services like water delivery and sewage pump outs.”

Under the rules of the Cottage Lot Program, a condition of the sale agreement is that cottages are to be built to lock-up stage within a two-year period from the date hydro installation is complete. Once construction has been completed, titles to the lots will be transferred to the purchasers.

Applications for the Bay River Cottage Lot Draw are available online at www.gov.mb.ca/conservation/bay_river.

Applications can be dropped off in person or mailed to Manitoba Conservation, 200 Saulteaux Cres., Winnipeg, MBĀ  R3J 3W3.

The deadline for submitting applications for the cottage lot draw is 4:30 p.m., June 14. The draw will be held June 30 with the lot selection meeting to take place on Aug. 4.

More information on the Bay River subdivision and Manitoba’s Cottage Lot Program can be found at www.gov.mb.ca/conservation/cottaging.