By Rosalind Russell –
1. Espanola Mill purchase finalized – community consultations
BMI Group, a company specializing in industrial site revitalization and sustainable development, has officially completed its purchase of the former Domtar Espanola Pulp and Paper Mill.
Paul Veldman, CEO of BMI, says the site will operate as Bioveld North Inc., a complement to BMI’s Bioveld Niagara Energy Innovation and Enterprise Park, dedicated to advancing energy and bioeconomy innovation.
Since signing the asset purchase agreement in April 2025, BMI has received approvals from both the Ontario Energy Board and the Independent Electricity System Operator.
The project will retain the existing employees currently operating the hydro dam through its energy subsidiary, Penstock Power LP.
“The team’s continued presence, professionalism, and specialized expertise will help ensure the facility’s meaningful contribution to Ontario’s renewable energy supply,” says Veldman.
As part of its ongoing planning for the future of the site, BMI is actively engaged in discussions with Sagamok First Nation and Whitefish River First Nation and is looking to engage other Indigenous communities in further conversations.
“Our objective is to ensure that the redevelopment of the site aligns with our shared goals and contributes to sustainable, long-term benefits for the region,” adds Darrin Spence, Director of Indigenous Initiatives at BMI.
The project lands include the main mill site, surrounding lands, several dams, and a golf course covering a total of 8,823 acres.
With such a significant footprint, BMI is working with the Town of Espanola to align redevelopment plans with local goals.
“The redevelopment of the mill site marks a new chapter for Espanola,” said Douglas Gervais, Mayor of the Town of Espanola. “We look forward to working together to attract investment, create jobs, and build a strong future for our town.”
In mid-December, the company met with several local organizations, clubs and members of the business community for a tour and a brainstorming session for ideas for the property, as well as several other communities in the North Shore Corridor.
2. Sneak peek at new housing for social services in Espanola
The Manitoulin Sudbury District Social Services offered a sneak peek to neighbours living in the vicinity of a new housing project in Espanola yesterday (October 2025).
Cornerstone Apartments is located at the intersection of Mead Blvd and the Queensway Avenue and will open its doors to new tenants on October 1st.
According to the release, the building houses ten furnished one-bedroom apartments, a common lobby and meeting area, laundry facilities and more.
The apartments were built to help alleviate the homelessness and housing shortage in Espanola, especially for clients on the social services housing list.
The grand opening took place October 17th, 2025.
3. Drive is a pleasure on Highway Six – Centre Street, work begins on Phase Five in Spring 2026
The work is done on Highway Six in downtown Espanola.
The project, the final link in the reconstruction of Highway Six in the municipality, was completed in late fall with all new water and sewer works, sidewalks, curbs and an awesome smooth ride through town … a shoutout to the Town of Espanola, and the construction crews, and to the motorists (for their patience).
Phase Four of the Connecting Link project started in the Spring and was completed by late fall 2025.
Phase Five will see the reconstruction of Highway Six – Centre Street from Foucault Drive to Kei Will Drive set for the Spring of 2026.
4. 75th Espanola High School Anniversary Reunion set for 2026 – archive collection underway
Following a two-month campaign calling on students, former students and staff, as well as the wider community, the decision has been made to go ahead with the 75th Espanola High School Reunion.
The committee was pleased with the positive response, well over 200 people, and will be moving forward with the reunion.
The Espanola Regional Recreation Complex has been booked for registrations on Friday, July 3rd with the reunion events taking place on Saturday, July 4th.
The committee will meet again early in the New Year to put together a schedule of events.
That said, some of the leg work is starting up.
If you have photos/memorabilia, sports letters or medals, newspaper articles, contact Rosalind Russell either by phone or text at 705-869-6397 to borrow those items to set up a historical archival display for the reunion.
Other updates will be available in the New Year.
5. Seniors vetted in Espanola – Town introduces Inaugural Senior of the Year
Over 200 seniors were served by members of council or municipal staff at this year’s luncheon in Espanola.
The Town of Espanola hosted the annual Senior’s Appreciation Day and Luncheon at the Espanola Regional Recreation Complex.
The day included a soup and sandwich luncheon, various activities including swimming, squash and access to the gym, as well as several booths focused on different senior issues including dental and personal care, Alzheimer’s and more.
The Espanola Public Library also hosted an afternoon painting class to cap off the day.
Espanola Council also named its Inaugural Senior of the Year, Rosalind Russell, who was presented with a certificate by Mayor Doug Gervais on behalf of council and the Ontario Government.
6. Council hires engineering company to provide ice plant design
Espanola council has given its approval to hiring an engineering company to provide ice plant design and related services for the Espanola Regional Recreation Complex.
Community and Recreation Department Manager Bailey Bouwmeester told council the current mechanical systems that produces ice in the arena are reaching the end of their operational life.
He says by 2027, major pressure vessels involved in the refrigeration process will require non-destructive examination (NDE) testing to continue operating but are unlikely to past inspection.
He also suggests in his report that the ammonia refrigeration plant, which is now causing challenges, should be changed over to a CO₂ refrigeration system, adding it would reduce emissions and provide recycled waste heat throughout the complex reducing the carbon footprint and costs of operating the ice plant.
He says the ammonia refrigeration plant would be expensive to replace.
Council approved a contract to J.L. Richards of just over $65,800 to look at the two options and report back soon.
Still with the story, The Town of Espanola will be receiving Provincial support for the replacement and upgrade of its arena ice plant with a state-of-the-art CO₂ system at the Espanola Regional Recreation Complex of approximately $1,000,000.
That work is expected to be carried out in 2026.
7. Not guilty verdict in Rancourt trial
An Espanola woman has been found not guilty of uttering threats against a hockey player.
Melisa Rancourt was found not guilty of uttering threats in Espanola court today (April 2025) due to a lack of evidence and inconsistencies by prosecution witnesses.
The trial centered around events with witnesses alleging what they saw in the corridor of the dressing rooms after a hockey game in Espanola in February 2024.
Rancourt, who was the head coach of the Espanola team, allegedly threatened a 12-year-old player from the Walden team.
Originally charged with assault, disturbing the peace and uttering threats, the assault charge was dropped last July, and the disturbing the peace charge was dropped in March after security video revealed a lack of evidence.
The trial then proceeded on the uttering threats charge.
The three defense witnesses all testified that Maverine Bain, a prosecution witness, was the aggressor and Rancourt was not.
The original charges were based on testimony given by Bain and the 12-year-old player to police the day after the game, but footage shows the alleged physical contact never occurred.
Rancourt was suspended from duty as a Greater Sudbury police officer with pay since February 2024.
She still faced a disciplinary hearing with the Greater Sudbury Police, but that was dropped following her resignation from the service.
8. Espanola council turns down exemption to no hunting bylaw application
A landowner from Southern Ontario with over 100 acres (40.46 hectares) of land located between Faraway Road and Old Webbwood Road (in the north end of town) had asked Espanola council for an exemption to the no hunting bylaw but it has been turned down.
The unidentified owner says he has been trying to sell the acreage to buyers interested in it as a hunting property.
However, Town CAO Joseph Burke explained that under the present bylaw, when Espanola amalgamated with the former Township of Merritt, it grandfathered properties that did allow hunting access, but also passed a bylaw that no hunting would be allowed on other properties in the newly expanded urban town boundaries.
Staff say area residents were also contacted, and all of them oppose approving the exemption since there are walking trails bordering the property, they bought their properties knowing there was no hunting allowed, and they also fear for their safety.
In the end, council turned down the request in the interest of public safety.
9. Espanola council moves forward with new class for affordable housing projects
Espanola council continues to stay focused on housing and subdivision development.
In October, council passed several housing measures aimed at increasing the diversity of housing stock.
They approved the construction of two three-storey semi-detached residential buildings on Annette and Algoma Streets.
The also approved a new residential sub-class specifically geared to multi-residential buildings and other affordable housing projects.
Council also approved just over $128,000 for Elizabeth Street and Annette Street residential infill projects.
Preliminary work will be carried out this fall depending on weather conditions with the projects expected to be completed in 2026, as well as several other housing projects by other developers.
10. Espanola’s Public Works Shop Project could be a major project in 2026-2027
Depending on financing and the outcome of studies, the shop that now houses vehicles and equipment at Espanola’s Public Works site could be one of the largest capital projects for the municipality in 2026-27.
Town CAO and Clerk Joe Burke says pre-design as well as schematics development will take place this year at an estimated cost of $167,500 plus tax.
Burke says the detailed design could then be undertaken in 2026 and the project would be considered “shelf-ready” for construction in 2027 should funds become available.
He says the information needed about the building, which will be established in the pre-design work, will give the municipality a true sense of where things are at with the building, which was last assessed in 2018.
He adds council will also need to entertain financing if the decision is made to move ahead with the project. To read the initial report, go to https://pub-espanola.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx…
Photo by Rosalind Russell
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