Multitude of Exhibits Unveiled for Exciting Tourism Destination

(Brockville) – Today marked a turning point in the history of tourism for the city of Brockville and for the numerous other tourism destinations that dot both the Canadian and American sides of the St. Lawrence River.  The Maritime Discovery Centre of the 1000 Islands (MDC) unveiled the many unique and interactive exhibits that will entertain and educate tourists, families and school children.

The MDC will contain ever-changing family activities that make every visit different.  For example, during a showcase film in the interactive theatre, you go live to a diver exploring a shipwreck to ask questions and share in the underwater experience.

Or, you can be a TV weatherman and read from the teleprompter as weather is projected on a blue screen background.  Send clips of your performance to family and friends.  View a special river otter installation that brings these amusing and acrobatic creatures up close.  Take command in the simulated Pilothouse and guide a commercial ship through the Brockville Narrows.  Interact with the ships coming through the St. Lawrence Seaway.

“This is a very exciting day for the 1000 Islands region,” noted MDC Steering Committee Chair Tony Barnes.  When the construction crane rose into the sky February 10^th, it crystallized our vision into a reality – the MDC will become the most elaborate tourism anchor destination of its kind in this region.”

Barnes emphasized that the MDC is not a stand-alone tourism destination; rather, it will feature travelling exhibits that are small enough to move to locations from a half hour to two hours from the MDC to promote other tourist destinations in the 1000 Islands region.   “Early on we decided to partner with other destinations to cross-promote our tourist opportunities.”

The preparation for today’s unveiling of exhibits included months, and in some cases, years, of research into the history, geography, and sociology of the 1000 Islands region.  The resulting MDC will fulfill its mission “to inspire curiosity through enriching and entertaining experiences in the 1000 Islands Region of the St. Lawrence River”.

Following is a list of the many “signature experiences” planned for the MDC:

1. Creation – Frontenac Arch geology and glacier retreat; Champlain Sea – salt water touch and jewel tanks; whale fossil and archaeology exhibit
2. The Terrace – Model remote control boat pond; Observation Deck
3. Romance of the Gilded Age – Steam yacht Cangarda (Magedoma); Castle library of discovery
4. Boat House – Shoreline tank; skiff house – St. Lawrence skiff and rowing machines; Boat house – utility launch, fishing simulator, sailing simulator
5. Nation Building – HMS Ontario – interactive chart table; re-enactment; platform for ropes course
6. All Aboard – SS Kingston – shadow wall interactive
7. Boating on the River – Shadow wall vessel types and navigation challenge
8. Rigged for Adventure – Overhead ropes course with 11 elements
9. Power of Water – Hydro electric power generation contest; hydraulic locks, canals and seaway water demonstration table and challenge; current, waves, erosion water demonstration table
10. Aquaria – “under the dock” tank; pond exhibit; river current “Keystorm” tank; aquaria exploration and demonstration station; sturgeon touch tank; lake underwater tunnel tanks
11. Herpetology – Amphibian and reptile exploration and demonstration facilities
12. Manatoana – (Garden of the Great Spirit) – otter and island exhibit; immersive gazebo
13. Biosphere Hall – programme partner space for experiential and promotional pods (travelling exhibits)
14. National Geographic Tourism Charter – exploration and the interactive video wall
15. Immersive Media – Green screen productions stage with props; runabout
16. Interactive Theatre – fully accessible, state of the art audio/video theatre seating 96
17. Pilot House – Simulated Electronic Navigation (SEN) bridge stations
18. Shipwreck – RMS Sir Robert Peel; underwater archaeology (artifact finding); Pirate Bill Johnston treasure hunt shadow projection; dive demonstration tank
19. Water Lab – Diver support and training facilities; ROV kits
20. Activity Room – activity and craft sets

A public meeting is scheduled on Thursday August 4, 2011 (7:00pm) at the Brockville Rowing Club to provide the community with the full details on the signature exhibits.

The MDC facilities will also offer opportunities for private functions in the Discovery Hall and the private party room.  Functions for those facilities include weddings, receptions, and special events for up to 250 people.

The Maritime Discovery Centre is a $20 million, 27,000 square foot tourist attraction to be located on Brockville’s waterfront alongside the Tall Ships Landing condominium development.  The Maritime Discovery Centre is a public-private partnership with the City of Brockville.

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For more information, please call:

Tony Barnes                                                               Bill Rogerson

Chair                                                                           Project Administrator

Maritime Discovery Centre Steering Committee       Maritime Discovery Centre

613-275-2218 or Cell: 613-349-0852                          613-342-8772 ext. 450

brogerson@brockville.com

www.1000discovery.ca