The Canadian Canoe Museum May Have Found a New Location

We reported back at the end of 2012, that the Canadian Canoe Museum was considering a new location. Presently it is located at 910 Monaghan Road in Peterborough, Ontario which holds a lot of historical significance, but poses a few issues. Thanks to countless hours of research, the public's feedback during the Town Hall meeting (both in person and online), and the hard work of the staff, everything might be coming together for a new location.

 

This morning, the Canadian Canoe Museum, in conjunction with Parks Canada announced that they have signed a letter of intent to formalize a collaboration. The Canadian Canoe Museum Redevelopment Project Feasibility Study identified the Parks Canada location along the Trent-Severn Waterway, as the preferred destination for the new Museum (one of Parks Canada’s most visited historic sites). This would be mutually beneficial to both organizations, as it would foster tourism in the area. The two parties will now enter into detailed negotiations to determine the terms of the potential partnership. We should know the result of the negotiations by mid-September of this year.

If all goes as planned, it would mean that there could be construction of a new 80,000 square foot museum which would include space for a gift shop, a restaurant and a meeting room facility to accommodate up to 250 people. This would also mean easy access to the waterway for live demonstrations and interactive events, and a higher quality method of storing and presenting the artifacts (which is the largest collection and only one of its kind in the world). 

“The collaboration of Parks Canada with the Canadian Canoe Museum demonstrates our government’s support for creating quality tourism and recreation opportunities on the Trent-Severn Waterway that will lead to stronger communities, opportunities for families and ultimately more sustainable canal operations.”

Leona Aglukkaq, Canada’s Environment Minister and Minister responsible for Parks Canada

“We are delighted to be collaborating with Parks Canada to bring the Canadian Canoe Museum and its nationally significant collection and related programs to the water. The Peterborough Lift Lock location allows for us to unite two of Peterborough’s major tourism attractions, providing water access and preserving the heritage of Peterborough as the national ‘shrine’ celebrating canoes and other related watercraft.”

Ken Powell, Chair, Board of Directors, Canadian Canoe Museum 

You would be able to view the museum and have access to the waterway from the nearby Lock 21-Peterborough Lift Lock historical site