THUNDER BAY — Construction of the Chippewa Park carousel enclosure project is set for the fall, according to Cory Halvorsen, manager of parks and open spaces.
He told Newswatch the project is in its final procurement process for the enclosure, and once the season closes in the fall, construction can begin.
“It's another big milestone. That's one of our keystone rides. It's a heritage asset. Having the ability to operate it inside of an enclosed, environmentally controlled space will be an enormous improvement for the ride itself,” said Halvorsen.
The enclosure is designed to ensure that no further wear and tear on the 110-year-old amusement ride could occur from the weather or from dismantling and storing it seasonally, said Halvorsen.
It will also pave the way for new programming.
“It will make it possible to promote and program that ride in a way that we haven't been able to in a seasonal manner. Having it in a permanent building where we can plan for special events or events throughout the season. It's just gonna be an overall great improvement,” said Halvorsen.
However, the city has no plans to open the Chippewa Park pavilion during the off-season.
He said the city’s main focus is completing the project for the preservation of the carousel, and “once that is done, we'll be able to better assess the opportunities for a special event.”
“If all we need to do is, if the event includes the cost of the resources to come in, to keep it open for a weekend or something during the winter or in the offseason, then we'll have that opportunity,” said Halvorsen.
The project has been on the city's to-do list for several years.
In November 2020, the previous council supported a funding commitment of $300,000 from the Renew Thunder Bay Reserve Fund and in 2022, Heritage Canada approved $450,000 for the enclosure in time for the 100th anniversary of the park.
Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC) contributed $800,000.
Last fall city council granted the project an additional $234,868 from the Renew Thunder Bay Reserve Fund and $300,000 from the Municipal Accommodation Tax Reserve Fund after the rising cost of inflation put the price tag up from $1.5 million to $2.2 million.
The carousel, a designated heritage structure, was handcrafted by American "amusement king" C.W. Parker in 1915 and has been in operation at Chippewa since 1934.
