Sault Ste. Marie Canal’s Iconic Powerhouse Reopens

Written by Parks Canada - Parcs Canada on 10 July 2013

Sault Ste. Marie Canal powerhouse image from Wikipedia commons

SAULT STE. MARIE, ON – On behalf of the Honourable Peter Kent, Canada’s Environment Minister and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, Mr. Bryan Hayes, Member of Parliament for Sault Ste. Marie, today announced the completion of significant restoration work on the Powerhouse building at the Sault Ste. Marie Canal National Historic Site of Canada.

“The Sault Ste. Marie Canal’s Powerhouse represents the utmost standard in Canadian innovation. Classified as a Federal Heritage Buildings Review Office structure, it is deemed to have the highest heritage significance—and it certainly merits this distinction,” said Mr. Hayes. “Approximately $460,000 was invested in repairs and restoration over the past few years.”

The historic Powerhouse has been closed to visitors since 2010 to address water seepage, and to allow for the replacing, refurbishing and painting of steel beams that had corroded and compromised the building’s structural stability. Improvements include the removal of public washrooms that were put in the third floor gallery in the 1960s. This work is a significant step toward returning the building to its original layout and aids in its long-term conservation. The third floor now houses the visitor centre and gift shop.

Designed and built by Canadians in the late 19th century, the Sault Ste. Marie Canal was the world’s longest lock. Its completion in 1895 formed the last link of an all-Canadian waterway from the Atlantic Ocean to Lake Superior. It was the first lock to operate with electrical power, generated on site in the Powerhouse. The operation of the Powerhouse was completely self-sufficient. The Powerhouse remains largely intact and includes a turbine that dates back to 1911, original pulleys, gears and belts, and associated equipment used for unwatering the lock.

“Reviving this building will better enable the Government of Canada to protect and present this special aspect of the Sault Ste. Marie Canal National Historic Site on behalf of Canadians,” said Minister Kent. “This unique building is recognized as nationally significant because of its architectural, technological and historical features, most of which are still intact. Canadians can be proud to be responsible for the design, construction and now the restoration of this historic building.”

The Visitor Centre at the Sault Ste. Marie Canal is open daily from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.

Parks Canada works to ensure Canada’s historic and natural heritage is protected and, through a network of 44 national parks, 167 national historic sites, and four national marine conservation areas, invites Canadians and people around the world to engage in personal moments of inspiring discovery at our country’s treasured natural and historic places.