A small change along the Trent Severn Waterway is already making a big difference this summer.
Parks Canada has extended the hours the locks are open by one hour. That change and the great weather this week are already proving to be a winning combination for local businesses.
There has been a steady flow of boats through the locks in Port Severn. It’s the last lock on the Trent Severn Waterway before boaters reach the open water of Georgian Bay.
“It's spectacular,” says boater Mike Grady. “This is a long-awaited stretch of weather that we have needed and I am sure cottagers and boaters alike are enjoying it for sure.”
The lock system opened for the season on the Victoria Day long weekend with limited hours of operation, but as of the weekend leading up to Canada Day long those hours are extended for weekends and holidays.
Parks Canada says the hours have been extended to boost tourism and business along the waterway during the peak season.
Allan Firth is the general manger of the Dam Grill in Port Severn. He says he’s already seeing an increase in boat traffic and the number of customers on his deck.
“It just makes for a busier season here and we definitely need the boaters to keep our business going,” he says.
The last lockage is now at 6:30 p.m. instead of 5:30 p.m., which doesn't sound like much of a difference but boaters say the extra time takes the stress out of traveling through the waterway.
“Extended hours make a huge difference even the hour they give us makes a huge difference long weekends they should have them open as long as they possibly can to get boaters through safely,” says boater Stephen Sewala.
And it's not just boaters that drive tourism. The waterway is a living museum that attracts thousands of land-based visitors who stop to watch the boats go through.
The extended hours will continue on weekends and holidays through the summer months until Labour Day, and then hours will be reduced again until Thanksgiving when the Trent Severn closes for the season.
