THUNDER BAY, ONTARIO – Prime Minister Stephen Harper today celebrated the progress made over the past year on the development of Prince Arthur’s Landing at Marina Park, a project co-funded by Canada’s Economic Action Plan.
“The transformation of Thunder Bay’s waterfront is creating exciting new residential, business and recreational opportunities for the City and the Region,” said the Prime Minister. “Prince Arthur’s Landing is a terrific example of how Canada’s Economic Action Plan is helping to create short- and long-term jobs as well as tourism in the Thunder Bay region.”
The first phase of the Prince Arthur’s Landing development involves preparation for future construction and the development of attractions. Preparations include electrical installations, water systems, foundation piles for piers, boardwalk renewal and breakwall relocation. When the project is complete, the attractions will include a water garden, skating rink, splash pad and a spirit garden. It is anticipated that Phase 1 will be completed by the end of March 2011.
As part of the Government of Canada’s Economic Action Plan, the $4-billion Infrastructure Stimulus Fund is providing funding to close to 4,000 infrastructure projects across the country, helping to create jobs and economic growth.
Backgrounder
CANADA’S ECONOMIC ACTION PLAN
Prince Arthur’s Landing
Canada’s Economic Action Plan is enabling the country to emerge from the recent global downturn with a more competitive economy as well as modern and green infrastructure.
In keeping with this goal, the Harper Government is providing up to $14.65 million of total eligible project costs for Phase I of the development of Prince Arthur’s Landing at Marina Park, as part of Thunder Bay’s waterfront development. The Province of Ontario is contributing matching funding, with the City of Thunder Bay absorbing the remaining project costs.
Prince Arthur’s Landing is a recreational gathering place in Thunder Bay. It is located in the northeast section of the City along the Lake Superior waterfront.
The Economic Action Plan project will integrate recreational, historical, cultural, commercial and residential uses that will contribute to downtown renewal and which will stimulate year- round tourism.
The following are some completed construction elements at Prince Arthur’s Landing:
- Watermain installation
- Construction of a foundation for the City's future building
- Installation of foundation piles for the Pier 3 beacon
- Lake in-fill
- Installation of a sheet wall anchoring system
- Sanitary sewer installation
- Breakwall relocation
- Tree relocations
- Relocation of the Historic Caboose to its new home at the Pearl Street entrance
- Restoration of the original brick on the historic Baggage Building in preparation for future artisan space
Major components planned as part of the overall development include:
- An artisan market and marketplace / market square that will accommodate a mix of potential uses such as festivals or other community events
- A skateboard / BMX plaza
- An ice rink / model pond
- A splash pad / park
- Extensive new amenity space, including gardens, trails and ponds
- Approximately four kilometres of additional boardwalk, park and bike paths
- Approximately 750 redesigned parking spaces
- A revitalized marina comprised of approximately 300 additional boat slips and a new marina services building
- A revitalized cruise ship dock and terminal
- Improvements to existing piers
