The YMCA of Sault Ste. Marie's Story

This piece of Douglas fir is a float from the Sault Ste. Marie Canal.  Logs like this were used to protect the canal sandstone walls from erosion and damage from ships.  Completed in 1895, the canal formed the last link in an all-Canadian navigation system stretching from the St. Lawrence River to Lake Superior.  Designed and built by Canadians, the canal incorporated several engineering innovations – the world's longest lock and the first to operate with electrical power.  Closed in 1987, the canal was equipped with a modern lock and opened for recreational use in 1998. 

As a passage through the Great Lakes, the Sault Ste. Marie Canal is a connector that helps us navigate the country – just like the Sault Ste. Marie YMCA helps children and families connect and navigate their community.