Groundbreaking Held for New Lake Superior National Marine Conservation Area Administration and Visitor Centre

The government of Canada celebrated the groundbreaking of the new Lake Superior National Marine Conservation Area Administration and Visitor Centre on May 4, 2024. Construction on the new center in Nipigon, Ontario, is expected to take two years, with a tentative public opening planned for 2026.

The new building will serve as Parks Canada’s primary operations base and visitor reception area for Lake Superior National Marine Conservation Area, and will also welcome Canadians and visitors from around the world, offering rich visitor experiences by sharing the history of Indigenous peoples and coastal communities in the area, along with stories from above and below the surface of Lake Superior.

“The Government of Canada is committed to supporting northern communities across Canada, like the communities here across Lake Superior’s North Shore. Today’s ceremony marks the next steps in this incredible federal initiative for Lake Superior National Marine Conservation Area,” says The Honourable Patty Hajdu, minister of Indigenous Services, responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario and member of parliament for Thunder Bay-Superior North. “Construction of this landmark, net-zero building will create a permanent space to welcome visitors to our region and showcase the intricate history, ecology, and cultures of the land and waters of Lake Superior. This project is an exciting blend of conservation, economic development through tourism, and sustainable ecological design. We look forward to welcoming the public to this space in the near future!”

The center will be the first-ever building to seek Passive House Plus certification and net-zero carbon standards. The project received $37 million in federal funding for the contract award associated with the construction of the center. Construction of the center was awarded to Finn Way General Contractor Inc. based in Thunder Bay, Ontario.

To learn more, visit parks.canada.ca