Iconic McIntyre headframe in Timmins to get $500K facelift
The historic remnant of Timmins' mining history has been in need of repair, according to the city's parks and recreation manager, Gerry Paquette.
Standing 175 feet above the city for nearly 100 years, he said it's important to preserve this iconic northern structure.
"The McIntyre headframe is arguably the most recognized landmark in the Porcupine area," Paquette said. "It has great significance with our past."
Exterior damage has accumulated over the years, he said, including one of its roofs that needs replacing and several openings that need sealing. The structure's concrete supports also need repair.
The city council approved a restoration project worth more than $500,000 Tuesday, to be carried out by a local contractor in the next few months.
A report presented to the council showed that the federal government's "Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program" will cover around three-quarters of the cost, with the city paying for the remaining portion.
Being a treasured time capsule for the north's history, the curator of the Timmins Museum National Exhibition Centre, Karen Bachmann, said keeping it maintained will only benefit the community.
"The McIntyre head-frame represents, first of all, our industrial heritage, it represents our social heritage ... everybody knows where it is in the community," Bachmann said. "Once we can actually go back up there and do some wonderful things, it'll kind of be a fun place to be."
The headframe is currently owned by Newmont Porcupine and being used as a water pumping station for its nearby open-pit mine.
Once it is no longer needed for that, Paquette said the city will take over its ownership, with the intention of developing it into a tourism attraction. He said the vision is to create a destination for arts and culture.
"It will be an area that the public can tour, walk around," he said. "There will be trails, benches, tables."
The goal is to give people the opportunity to create more memories in the community with the headframe.
Bachmann said the structure has housed plenty of history since its construction in the early 1920s. One of her favourite quirky stories is one of a miner named Sal Salamonie, who would often take people on tours of the McIntyre gold mine.
In the 80s, she said the flamboyant miner once took a group of nuns into the depths of the mine and poked a bit of fun.
"One old lady said, 'Oh my gosh, this seems very deep,'" Bachmann recounted.
"He looked at her and he said 'Yes madam, sister, you know what? This is the closest to hell you'll ever be.' There were always those fun, salty stories."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Grandparents killed in wrong-way crash on Hwy. 401 identified
A 60-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman killed in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 earlier this week have been identified by the Consulate General of India in Toronto.
Police arrest 3 Indian nationals in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
Suter scores late goal, clinches series for Canucks
Pius Suter scored with 1:39 left and the Vancouver Canucks advanced to the second round of the NHL playoffs with a 1-0 victory over the Nashville Predators on Friday night in Game 6.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
Quebec man who threatened Trudeau, Legault online sentenced to 20 months in jail
A Quebec man who pleaded guilty to threatening Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier François Legault has been sentenced to 20 months in jail.
Human remains found in rural Sask. possibly a decade old, RCMP say
RCMP say human remains found in a rural area in central Saskatchewan may have been there for a decade or more.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.
Canadian doctor concerned new weight-loss drug Wegovy may be used inappropriately
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.