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Canal Corridor Association is a membership organization that preserves history, protects nature and open space, and creates destinations where people can learn and have fun in the I&M Canal National Heritage Corridor, from Lake Michigan in Chicago to the Illinois River in LaSalle/Peru. It enhances, raises awareness of and expands the parks, trails, landscape and historic sites that make the I&M Canal region a special place. CCA manages the Gaylord Building, a National Trust Historic Site, in Lockport, Illinois. One of the oldest industrial buildings in the I&M Canal National Heritage Corridor, the Gaylord Building is a model of adaptive reuse, featuring the Public Landing restaurant, canal exhibits and more. |
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LaSalle Canal Boat Nearly Halfway Built – Fifty Groups Have Already Booked Tours
Aside from some drawings and models, the LaSalle Canal Boat has mostly been a much-talked-about concept. Until now Scarano Boat Builders, which is building the boat, has provided photos of the vessel, which is nearly half finished.
“A dream that started with the LaSalle Rotary Club some 30 years ago, is finally coming to fruition,” said LaSalle Mayor Art Washkowiak. “You can’t help but get excited about it when you see the photos.”
According to Bob Gilston, sales manager for Scarano, the wood that the company is using to build the LaSalle Canal Boat is Port Orford cedar, a type of white cedar named after the place in Oregon where it grows. Port Orford Cedar is particularly rot-resistant so is well-suited for boat building.
Scarano, which specializes in building historic replica vessels, has developed an aluminum hull that also enhances longevity of these types of boats. The LaSalle Canal Boat will have such an aluminum hull.
“These boats do more than just ply the waters where they reside,” said Mr. Gilston. “They tell a story of this country and how boats contributed to the growth and expansion of the local economies around them.”
Just as its predecessors on the I&M
Canal did, the LaSalle Canal Boat will boost local business, beginning
with its launch this spring. Already 50 groups, representing 1,700
people from beyond LaSalle County, have booked group tours on the
horse-drawn* boat for its inaugural season.
The LaSalle Canal Boat will accommodate groups of up to 75 people. If your group would like to reserve a tour, call 866-610-7678. Special discounted group rates apply.
Individual reservations will begin to be taken in April.
The LaSalle Canal Boat will be a full-size replica of the boats that traveled the I&M Canal more than 150 years ago. It will give one-hour round trip rides powered by two horses led along the canal towpath by a horse-tender in period dress. Tour guides dressed as Canal Era crew and guests will further bring history to life with stories of the early days on the canal and Illinois prairie.
The Canal Corridor Association is seeking volunteers and staff to serve as tour guides for the LaSalle Canal Boat and to work at the nearby Lock 16 Visitor Center, which will also open this spring in downtown LaSalle.
CCA is also looking for a livery, stable or farmer who has mules or horses for pulling the LaSalle Canal Boat. The contractor would provide and manage the animals.
Anyone interested in more information on staff and volunteer positions, or mule contractor opportunities should email or call Pat Chinderle at pchinderle@canalcor.org or 815-588-1100.
* Use of horses is pending Illinois Department of Natural Resources approval.
Photos and captions:
The top of the covered main deck of the LaSalle Canal Boat under construction. The vertical side under the windows is the equivalent of a sawhorse, bringing the deck up to working height. The wood of the cabin is Port Orford cedar, which is particularly rot-resistant. Photo: Scarano Boat Building, Inc.
The aluminum hull of the LaSalle Canal Boat under construction. The hull is being built upside down. Any equipment that needs to go in the hull will be installed. Then the plating, or bottom of the hull, will be welded into place. A giant crane will pick up the hull and turn it over after the plating is installed. Photo: Scarano Boat Building, Inc.
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