The
“Friends of Keewatin” is a not for profit charitable foundation that operates
this great Canadian Icon as a historical destination. The official name is The RJ and Diane Peterson Great Lakes Foundation and Keewatin Museum.
The goal of the foundation:
To have the S.S. Keewatin serve as an important Canadian historical icon
and to promote the facility as not only a valuable record of the past but a
vibrant and living educational entity into the future.
Keewatin will contain a
museum with adequate research facilities, refurbished accommodations to be
viewed and public rooms and lounges. Keewatin will maintain and offer public
access to a 10,000 square foot cargo deck for community fundraiser events.
There
will be a concerted effort to offer educational programs at the college level
for trade apprenticeship candidates, hospitality workers and tourism students.
Also an integrated program on Canadian and Maritime history will be offered to
elementary schools and high schools utilizing the facilities during the school
year.
Finally, tours of the ship will be offered during summer and holiday
periods, a retail facility for souvenirs and management of an adjacent park for
associated activities.
·
The 2013 season had its
official opening on Saturday, May 11, 2013.
Season closes mid-October.
·
Group rates are a donation of $12.00 per person (upper
deck and engine room) or
$10.00 upper deck only with a single payment
made payable to "Friends of Keewatin” for the entire group.
Individual
Rates (not in tour groups)
·
Adults
- $15.00 including tax for the Upper Deck tour and $7.00 including tax for the
engine room. Both tours for $20.00.
·
Students
- $7.00 including tax for the Upper Deck tour and $4.00 including tax for the
engine room tour. Both tours for $10.00.
·
Children
under 12 free WITH adults.
 |
| Eric Conroy – also known as “Captain Rick” |
LOCATION
The Keewatin’s location off Highway 12 is just 8
kilometres from Highway 400 and 20 minutes north of Barrie. We have parking for 300 cars and can
accommodate drop offs of passengers from coaches at the gang plank with
adjacent parking for coaches. We have
full washroom facilities located near the ship and a well-appointed gift shop
which carries all locally acquired products and items. Our site is located at the bottom of Talbot
Street on the right hand side. A map is
shown elsewhere in this email.
WHERE ARE WE
LOCATED
You can click on the link below and view a
map. You will notice a circle with “Tay”
beside it – that is the exit from Highway 12 into Port McNicoll – watch for the
signs. Proceed into Port McNicoll and
The S. S. Keewatin is located at the very bottom of the hill (Talbot Street) on
the right side moored at the dock on Georgian Bay. From Barrie – take Hwy 93
north to sign for Hwy 12 (Orillia).
Watch for exit just after
Ste. Marie Among the Hurons, Wye Marsh and Martyrs Shrine – exit to the left just
after Ogden’s Beach Road (which has traffic signals) to Port McNicoll.
LUNCH
There is also an excellent restaurant nearby which
can accommodate motor coaches. The information about Marina’s and their menu
will be sent to you with this email so you can make reservations. Be sure to make your tour reservation
first!
OUR VOLUNTEERS
There is an all-volunteer crew of 150, some of whom are retired crew (or relatives) from the CPR fleet which sailed from the port. There are some students and the rest are area residents with a love of history. We are in the process of building a yacht club facility next door which includes a restaurant comprised of retired CPR dining coaches by 2014.
OUR TOURS
A visit is comprised of two tours. An upper deck tour takes about 60 minutes and
under the guidance of our well trained tour guides takes visitors through the
two main decks where they see the dining room, kitchens, ladies smoking lounge,
the crew quarters, state rooms, Flower Pot Lounge, bar and ballroom. It is followed by visits to the Captains
Quarters and a radio museum featuring a working wireless and all-weather radar.
The second tour is optional and takes 30 minutes
and is comprised of the grain holds, coal bunkers, Scotch Boilers and a working
3200 horsepower quadruple expansion steam engine similar to what was on the
Titanic and the last one in the world in existence. The group rate of $12.00
covers both tours.
The ship will be permanently docked with a mooring
site and a park on lease for 99 years from Tay Township in the village of Port
McNicoll – almost on the spot where it tied up to collect and disembark
passengers years ago.
Contact Information:
Kathy Elliott, Tour Information and Booking Eric Conroy,
705 549-0482
311 Talbot Street, PO Box 189
Port McNicoll, Ontario L0K 1R0, ON
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8k7vntOxOgc
Website: www.sskeewatin.com
Capt. Rick's
Blog www.drone-on.com
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