Now the Roberta Bondar Pavilion, which is located on the waterfront, is the location that the City usually sets off their fireworks at dusk. We went to take a closer look at the M.S Norgoma, a museum ship which is docked next to the Pavilion.
I felt I was slumming it today, as I was a bit taken aback at the condition of the Lock Master's building, I was expecting worse at the ship. See, the ship is a sort of museum that nobody appears to want. They charge 6 bucks for admittance fees, and that is the only way they generate money to maintain and upkeep the Norgoma. Needless to say, the ship has seen many a grim decades, with the city almost banishing the ship anywhere else but within city limits. That was a good 20 or so years ago. The fact that the M.S Norgoma is still floating is a testament to a small band of dedicated folks. I guess I am part of the problem as the last time I was on her, was probably 30 or so years ago. My issue is that the ship never seems to be open whenever I want to board her for a visit. I guess I just stopped trying over the years. I had heard that it might be opened for Canada Day, and it was worth a shot to go see. I was right.
Inside the main deck, there was plenty of good info to be found here, many of which were on the nice big plaques hanging from the sides.
Here is a view just to the right when you enter the ship.
Moving more into the ship, and looking aft on the main deck which was used for vehicles, packets, and anything else that needed go from one point to another and didn't walk on 2 legs. You see that red and white buoy like column in front of the dingy. Those are self guided voice stations. There were about 13 of them places strategically around the ship. I found them to be quite helpful and made the visit more enjoyable.
Looking to the other side of the main deck.
There were many interesting Great Lakes marine items to be seen in the ship's museum.
These are pull/push carts for vendors who would ply the sides of the Canal during the days when the Canal was an important part of the Great Lakes Seaway System.
Plenty of info plaques.
A look at the engine one level below the main deck. No access to this region was available other than a look down from a chained off hatch.
More displays to be seen on the main deck.
Another vendor cart. I find these things rather neat.
A look back to the entryway hatch on the left...still on the main deck.
Towards the rear were the crew's quarters. These areas are poorly maintained if at all. The bunk rooms lack most of the bunks, and the washrooms, well...
Out of the crew quarters, and looking forward again on the main deck.
The main deck has a pair of these large winches one for and one aft.
Going one level up, things started to look a little more plush...but you can tell it has all seen its glory days ages ago, and the ship is rough all around.
cheap green golf carpet often held together by duct tape was used here. I cannot imagine how much nicer this ship would have been back in its prime. I get hints here and there however, which only makes its disrepair and appearance all the more saddening for it.
This was the small store or magazine where passengers could buy something to drink, read, etc.
Here is one of the passenger rooms.
More cheap green carpeting.
Here is the dinning room. This looks very nice and you can tell folks worked on this to bring it up to a higher standard compared to a lot of other areas.
The kitchen however is something else.
Towards the back of the kitchen, is this crews waiting room, where the staff would sit for a game of cards, or wait on their duties. I guess you could say this was their resting spot to keep them from mingling with the paying passengers.
Up to the third level, this meeting/dinning room. I guess this was the for the higher class passengers.
Because this level had extensive water damage sometime in the past, they had to tear out most of the passenger rooms and walls, leaving this larger rooms instead.
Towards the middle of the ship on the third level.
A long hallway on the third level. All of these rooms were off limits, and I can only imagine how they are probably all gutted waiting for sufficient money to renovate them in the future.
The lounge area at the front of the the third floor, towards the bow.
This is also the level with the life boats.
Here is the Roberta Bondar Pavilion.
Now off the ship, I headed towards the seating arrangement created inside the Pavilion. We sat down and listened to the opening ceremony which was held at 1 pm.
Nice geometric shapes. I couldn't resist taking this photo as some politician was waxing poetic about how excited he was in being here.
The end. I thought it wouldn't be all that interesting in taking photos of the politicians. Anyways, we left shortly afterwards. It was a good way to kill half the day.