Power station redevelopment project in Niagara Falls generates excitement

A few weeks ago, an exciting announcement was made by the Niagara Parks Commission about the fate of the Toronto Power Generating Station. It is indeed welcome news that this iconic building will be saved and restored for future generations to explore and learn about the renowned history of power in Niagara.

The Toronto Power Station was one of the earliest hydro-electric plants to harness the power of the Niagara River. It was built on the same site as John Burch’s saw and grain mills, the first mills that used the waters of the river for industrial purposes.

The power company came into existence on Jan. 29, 1903 when the Queen Victoria Park commission signed an agreement with three Toronto businessmen led by Sir Henry Pellatt, who also owned Casa Loma. He hired the same architect Edward J. Lennox to design the new power station. Interestingly, the power plant was built on 12 acres of land reclaimed from the Niagara River. The land was originally submerged under eight to 24 feet of rushing water. This was done so that the power station would not encroach on park lands.

The power station was built entirely of Indiana limestone, the very same material used to build the White House in Washington. Work on the mansion-like part of the building began in 1903. The circular entranceway was constructed from imported Italian marble and trimmed with heavy oak woodwork and doors. Featuring 30 pillars and many arched windows, the building was the first in Canada to use the architectural Beaux-Arts style in an industrial setting. When completed, the building measured 462 feet along the front facade and 91 feet back.

The first electricity from the plant was sent to Toronto on Nov. 1, 1906. The peak capacity of the plant was 396,000 kilowatts, which was significant in 1922 when the total production of Ontario Hydro was 625,000 kilowatts. In 1955, a program of frequency standardization was completed by Ontario Hydro, which saw a move from 25 to 60 cycle power. Due to the high cost of this changeover, it was decided that the Toronto Power Station would remain at the 25 cycle and instead supply power to local industries, such as the Norton Company, Carborundum and Cyanamid. Toward the end, the station was at a capacity of only one-third of one per cent of the total production in Ontario. Sadly, the Toronto Power Generating station ceased producing power in early 1974.

Throughout the years there were many attempts to revitalize the building and open it to the public in some capacity. In the summer of 1982, an Engineerium opened and allowed visitors to tour and see the gigantic generators for free. Shortly after that, Ontario Hydro announced plans to extensively renovate the old building. Several citizens opposed this plan, which included the demolition of a significant portion of the original structure. In 1990, new plans were announced by Ontario Hydro and the Niagara Parks Commission that featured preserving the entire building as well as the creation of an Energy Information Centre. Sadly, budget cuts at Ontario Hydro put these plans on hold indefinitely.

Although the journey has been a long one, I look forward to seeing the Toronto Power Generating Station return to its original glory. Still in the planning stages, I cannot wait to see the finished product, which will include a boutique hotel, restaurants, a 280-seat theatre for cultural performances, as well as a museum and art gallery. The redevelopment will also prioritize public access with several indoor and outdoor public viewing areas. In an era where so many historically significant buildings are lost each year, I am glad that the effort is being made to save a building that was once: “second only to the falls in dominating the views and photographs of millions of people who visit the area each year from across North America and around the world.”