The Niagara Parks Power Station in Ontario, Canada will officially host its grand opening as Niagara’s newest landmark attraction on September 3. The Niagara Parks Power Station is expected to be an important demand driver and catalyst in the recovery of tourism in Niagara and Ontario, providing an innovative and iconic year-round visitor experience for Canada’s top leisure tourism destination. Prior to the pandemic, of the nearly 13 million visitors to the Canadian side of Niagara in 2017, 27.3% were from the United States.1 Tourism operators in Niagara are optimistic that they will see these numbers again as Canada and the U.S. move toward recovery.
“We are looking forward to introducing Canadian and American visitors to this fascinating piece of Ontario’s industrial history and heritage, with a brand new one-of-a-kind attraction,” said David Adames, CEO of the Niagara Parks Commission. “It is the perfect time to plan your trip to explore the Niagara Parks Power Station and the other spectacular attractions and experiences Niagara Parks has to offer as we ease into fall.”
The Niagara Parks Power Station is currently in a soft-opening phase, with daytime guided and self-guided tours being offered to the public daily. The daytime guest experience features interactive exhibits and interpretative installations that explore the history and science of hydroelectric power generation at the station.
The grand opening of the Niagara Parks Power Station will be on September 3, with the launch of a brand-new immersive sight and sound night show created by renowned design and production firm, Thinkwell, titled “Currents: Niagara’s Power Transformed.” The immersive sight and sound nighttime experience will run shows from 6:30 to 8:30 pm Sunday through Thursday and 6:30 to 9:30 pm Friday and Saturday, with shows beginning hourly on the half-hour. Featuring immersive, interactive storytelling, the innovative show offers an incredible sensory experience amongst the turbines as 3D projection mapping and reactive technology bring the once dormant plant back to life!
The one-of-a-kind structure is considered to be the only fully intact, decommissioned hydroelectric power plant of its era in the world. Constructed in 1905 as the “Canadian Niagara Power Company generating station,” the massive facility was a historic achievement in engineering and architecture, remaining operational until 2006.
Phase Two of the attraction will be completed over the next year for opening in summer of 2022 and will allow visitors to explore the vast underground portions of the Niagara Parks Power Station. Guests will travel down 180 feet below the generator floor via glass elevator to explore the 2,000-foot tailrace tunnel that empties at the base of the falls.
A comprehensive health and safety plan has been developed for the attraction with revised capacity limits and industry-leading sanitization practices in place to ensure the safety of all guests and staff inside. All operations at the Niagara Parks Power Station will strictly adhere to the most up-to-date public health guidelines.
