Rama First Nation has purchased the lakefront property that has been home to the Ontario Educational Leadership Centre (OELC) since 1948.
The 126-acre property on the shores of Lake Couchiching is adjacent to Rama First Nation and adds approximately one kilometre to the community’s shoreline access, notes a news release from the First Nation.
The property, located at 7098 Rama Rd., includes 50 buildings, many overnight cabins used for camper accommodation; an 11,700-square-foot conference centre, commercial kitchen, dining area, and offices; a network of roads and trails; and a private water and wastewater facility.
The land was owned by the provincial government and leased to the OELC.
As part of the Williams Treaties settlement in 2018, compensation was included to purchase lands to replace those taken.
Over the past few years, Rama’s leadership has worked with Infrastructure Ontario to complete a land appraisal and to review environmental and other assessments for the property. The purchase price of $6.6 million was determined by an Ontario evaluation at the outset.
The additional land “will allow the community to grow, expanding programs and services to its members,” notes the release from Rama First Nation.
This site provides increased space for a range of possibilities, including land-based programming, a healing centre, recreation activities and gatherings.
“At this time, the community is still exploring ideas for property development,” noted the release.
Community consultation has started and will continue in the coming months.
In 2018, the OELC celebrated its 70th anniversary. Some of the first teens who attended the Longford Mills camp during its first summer of operation returned to celebrate the milestone.
The OELC’s offerings have evolved over the past seven decades, but its mission hasn’t changed since that inaugural season.
“Each of our 16 unique leadership courses focuses on engaging and educating youth to maximize their potential as leaders, encouraging them to become responsible and participating citizens in their schools, communities and beyond,” noted a news release from the centre at the time.
“Whether it is through the arts, athletics, school governance or global issues, our courses help over 2,000 Ontario youth every year get in touch with their leader within.”
