Gananoque Reporter
November 16, 2015

New docks being built by the Thousand Islands Boat Museum (TIBM) will make possible an expanded Boat Show and Parade, participation in several waterfront festivals, and a variety of in-water exhibits and public events.

For the past 2 years the Museum’s water related events have been limited by a lack of dock space. The dock project was approved by the Town of Gananoque in 2014. It has since been approved by all governmental agencies including Transport Canada, Cataraqui Region Conservation Authority, Department of Fisheries, and the Ministry of the Environment. Construction is underway, and is scheduled for completion in April 2016. The Museum is paying for the construction of the docks with generous donations from the founding board members, private donors, the Thousand Islands Development Corporation, the Antique Boat Museum, and local businesses. Together with the TIBM the community is creating a "sense of place" for those who live here and visitors to the waterfront. Combined, the Boat Building Shop, the Children's Activities Centre and the exhibits welcomed 30,000 visitors during the summer of 2015. Over 700 children attended hands-on building workshops at the Museum’s Children’s Center alone.

“It has been wonderful to see all of the buildings in the Village once again alive with events, programs and exhibits….It will be exciting to watch all of the developments on the waterfront over the next few years and the TIBM will be a pivotal part of the revitalization that unfolds.” Linda Mainse, Past Executive Director, Arthur Child Heritage Museum.

Several Gananoque Intermediate and Secondary School (G.I.S.S.) students were hired for the summer to help restore boats and build Optimist sailboats in the Boat Shop. One of these students, Brooke Gipson, is now a full-time employee at The Wooden Boat Shop in Gananoque.

“The Museum opened doors for me…once I worked on building the skiff in woodshop class with the Museum I said to myself “I have to get that job”. I’m learning everything there is to know about boats. In 10 or 20 years I want to be the person that people call for help with restoring, repairing and maintaining their antique boats. I want to be that person.” Brooke Gipson, G.I.S.S. Graduate, Boatbuilding Apprentice

From the start, engaging kids about their local boat building heritage and involving them has been a fundamental component of the organization’s vision. This year the Museum is working on a project with grade 7 classes at G.I.S.S. Throughout the winter, students will be taught water safety, the “rules of the river”, how to safely operate a boat, and all of the necessary components towards obtaining the Pleasure Craft Operator Card. Students will be also be provided with on-water practice – in boats they’ve helped restore. The Museum is in the process of becoming an accredited Transport Canada course provider.