Community Pavillion Opens with Seaway Story
Candy Pollard

As its unique and lasting contribution to Eastern Ontario’s celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Seaway Power Project, the St. Lawrence Parks Commission has opened a new 300 seat performance venue, located in a beautiful natural setting with the banks of the St. Lawrence River in Morrisburg as its backdrop. The new fully enclosed structure has been named the Ontario Power Generation Community Pavilion, reflecting the Commission’s partnership efforts with the OPG. With the addition of this new performance venue, the St. Lawrence River corridor will showcase an increased variety of live performance options, making it one of Ontario’s fastest growing sites for summer theatre.

“We are absolutely thrilled to launch this new theatre, which we hope will help enhance the entertainment options for residents and tourists alike along the St. Lawrence,” explained Pat Macdonald, General Manager and CEO of the St. Lawrence Parks Commission. “The month long run of ‘A Seaway Story’ will be immediately followed by a series of local music acts and other entertainment, and our hope is that the community will see this new venue as an ideal place for special events, trade shows, marketplaces, and other summertime activities.”

The energetic and engaging play, “A Seaway Story,” was purposely sought for the pavilion’s debut Thursday, July 10, as a fitting tribute to the St. Lawrence Seaway and the international hydro-electric power project’s creation and in memory of the villages lost to the river’s inundation 50 years ago. This live theatre production tells the poignant and electrifying story of several families whose lives were forever changed by the flooding of the St. Lawrence River 50 years ago to make way for the St. Lawrence Seaway and Hydro Development Project. The play is a must see for visitors and residents alike, as it captures 1950’s village life along the shores of the St. Lawrence prior to this massive project. The play is produced by the same professional production team and 4 of the 5 cast members as successfully appeared in the short April run by Upper Canada Playhouse.

The play is at various times sensitive, stirring, and funny. Thoroughly enjoyable by young and old alike, it provides an enlightening glimpse of the emotional upheaval caused by the bold plan to tame the mighty St. Lawrence, necessitating the destruction of six villages and three hamlets and the displacement of 6,500 residents. The new script, written by Ottawa playwright Janet Irwin, in conjunction with James Fagan Tait and Dialogue Theatre Co., entertains as it educates.

“A Seaway Story” will be performed on the new stage at the OPG Community Pavilion eight times a week from July 10th to August 3rd. Show times have been scheduled to attract both visitors to the area as well as local audiences. A 4 p.m. matinee will be offered on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, with 8 p.m. evening shows on Wednesday, Friday (2nd show) and Saturday (2nd show). The Sunday matinee will be at 2 p.m. Tickets are $20 for adults, $16 for seniors (65 years of age and over) and $12 for youths (5 to 17 years of age); those 4 and under are free. Groups of ten or more can purchase discounted group tickets ($5 off or only $15 for adults).

“We are really hoping that both local residents and area visitors will come out and enjoy this very entertaining and enjoyable play,” said Ms. Macdonald. “It’s a wonderful way for young and old alike to share the heritage of the area, and we know that audiences will enjoy the light-hearted humour as much as they are genuinely moved by the emotion of this dramatic event in Ontario’s history,” she added.

The OPG Community Pavilion is a brand new enclosed, seasonal 8,000 square foot (80’ x 100’) structure located just adjacent to the Crysler Park Marina with its sweeping views of the St. Lawrence River from several angles. It includes a custom stage, lighting, sound and both floor and raised seating and is fully wheelchair accessible. A new parking lot has been created just outside the main doors.

Patrons can enjoy breathtaking views of the St. Lawrence River and are just a few steps away from the new Marker 72 Dockside Patio, which recently made its debut. This new outdoor restaurant features casual meals and refreshments in a beautiful new area including a gurgling water pond just outside the main marina building. Now open to the general public and boaters alike, the new patio will be open from Thursday to Sunday from 12:00 noon to 8:00 p.m. The menu features an array of hot and cold appetizers and a variety of grilled and fried items such as quesadillas and fish and chips, as well as an assortment of sandwiches, salads and desserts, including fresh, locally grown in-season fruit. It is expected that the Patio will be licensed for beer, wine and liquor.

Night-time strolls of Upper Canada Village are now also being offered all summer long for only $4.50 (adults and seniors) and $3.50 (youths 5 to 17), with combo play-stroll tickets providing extra savings ($24.50 for adults, $20.50 seniors and $15.50 for youths 5 to 17). More than 30 of the 40+ buildings within the Village are actually structures “saved” from the inundation 50 years ago, and these are clearly marked on the Village’s new heritage signs --- so all visitors can relive this part of Canadian history. Crysler Hall will also feature a new 50th Anniversary Seaway Exhibit, showcasing the legacy of the Seaway’s creation. This special exhibit, including memorabilia, films and old photos, is slated to open by July 10 and visitors may enjoy it both during the Village’s daytime program as well as during the evening strolls.

Tickets to the play and combo play-stroll tickets may be purchased at the front gate of Upper Canada Village, at Crysler Park Marina, Cornwall & Seaway Valley Tourism, or on-line at www.parks.on.ca or TicketWeb at www.ticketweb.ca. Visitors may also contact the St. Lawrence Parks Commission’s Customer Service Unit at 1-800-437 2233 (613-543-4328 locally) for information and tickets by phone.

For information on other news and upcoming events in Cornwall and Seaway Valley, click on the following links:

• Other Candy Reports
• Calendar of Events