| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Kirkfield Lift Lock Celebrates 100 years on Trent Severn Historic Waterway
KIRKFIELD, ON, July 21 /CNW Telbec/ - On behalf of the Honourable John
Baird, Minister of the Environment and Minister responsible for Parks
Canada, Mr. Barry Devolin, Member of Parliament for Haliburton-Kawartha
Lakes-Brock, today celebrated the Kirkfield Lift Lock Centennial (see
photos), along the legendary Trent-Severn Waterway National Historic Site.
"Canada's New Government is proud to celebrate 100 years of operation
of the Kirkfield Lift Lock," said Mr. Devolin. "It is a crucial
and awe-inspiring component of the Trent-Severn Waterway National Historic
Site of Canada, oneof the greatest canal systems in the world." Construction
of the Kirkfield Lift Lock began in 1900 and was completed in 1907, facilitating
navigation from Lakefield through to Lake Simcoe. Of the more than 40
locks along the Trent-Severn Waterway, the Kirkfield Lift Lock isone of
only two hydraulic lift locks. Only nine locks of this type were ever
built in the world, and among them, the Kirkfield Lift Lock is the second
in height only to its cousin the Peterborough Lift Lock. The Kirkfield
Lift Locklowers and raises vessels nearly 15 meters in just a few minutes.
The principles of the Lift Locks' operation have not changed in a century
- true marvels of late 19th century engineering. The Kirkfield Lift Lock
is part of the 386 km long Trent-Severn WaterwayNational Historic Site
of Canada, which is enjoyed by more than 1.5 million visitors every year.
Recently, Canada's New Government invested more than $500K toward the
refurbishment of this important cultural asset, providing thegleaming
steelworks and lift lock tubs enjoyed by all during the centennial
celebration.
"The Trent-Severn Waterway, including the Kirkfield Lift Lock,
is an integral element of Canada's cultural and natural heritage that
we can all beproud of," said Mr. Devolin. "With only nine of
these types of lift locks ever built, the Kirkfield Lift Lock is truly
a unique navigational feature in North America."On behalf of the
people of Canada, Parks Canada protects and presentsnationally significant
examples of Canada's cultural and natural heritage. Parks Canada works
to foster public understanding, appreciation and enjoyment of its heritage
treasures in ways that ensure their ecological andcommemorative integrity
for present and future generations.
For further information: Wayne Harpell, Kirkfield Sector Manager, Trent-Severn
Waterway, National Historic Site of Canada, Parks Canada, (705) 438-3153;
Peter Frood, Superintendent, Central Ontario Field Unit, Parks Canada,
(705) 313-0842; (Also available on the Internet at www.pc.gc.ca
under Media Room.)
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