Niagara Parks Power Station in Canada’s Niagara Falls is opening a new visitor experience called ‘The Tunnel’ on 1 July.
Visitors will travel 180 feet below the generator hall floor in a glass elevator where they will see the underground levels of the power station, built in 1905.
After walking through a 2,200-foot-long tunnel, they will arrive at a new viewing platform at the base of Niagara Falls, enjoying incredible views of the waterfalls.
“With the opening of The Tunnel, the incredible transformation that has taken place over the past two years to restore the power station and transform it into a one-of-a-kind visitor attraction is officially complete,” said Niagara Parks chair April Jeffs.
Travel 180 feet below the generator hall floor
While the plant was in operation, the tunnel was used as an exit point for all of the water used to generate hydropower. Visitors to the tunnel will follow the same path that the water did for more than a century.
The tunnel was excavated back in 1901 using lanterns, rudimentary dynamite, pickaxes and shovels. The excavation is celebrated through interpretive exhibits throughout the walking path.
Niagara Parks Power Station, the only fully intact decommissioned hydroelectric power plant of its era remaining in the world, opened as a visitor attraction in July 2021.
“There seems to be a whole new way of looking at these historically fantastic natural sites,” said Gail Lord, co-founder and president of Lord Cultural Resources, the world’s largest cultural professional practice.
New viewing platform at base of Niagara Falls
“It’s not enough to have the site. There needs to be a very broad understanding of the story, so a crossover between the thrill attraction and the heritage story have developed.”
“The Tailrace Tunnel is an important piece to understand the many layers of the Niagara Parks Power Station and works in concert with the other experiences” said James Anderson, Senior Director – Visitor Attractions, Senior Creative Director at Forrec who were a Creative Partner on the project.
“The glass elevator provides the views to the inner workings of the station, where guests can follow the downward flow of water through the turbines, and into the Tunnel. The view of at the of the experience, then reminds guests of the true majesty and the power of the Falls.”
The first phase included guided and self-guided tours of the generator hall, as well as a new nighttime show called ‘Currents’.
Created by Thinkwell Group, the global experience design and production company, the show is a unique multisensory experience.
“It’s not a show just for adults. It’s inspired by children and their wonderlust. Their desire to explore these really unique places and to look under and all around,” said Émilie F. Grenier, Thinkwell Studio Montréal’s creative director.
Images: Niagara Parks Power Station
