Killarney Mountain Lodge: Canada House

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Killarney Mountain Lodge is a resort and conference center site located on the shore of Georgian Bay in Killarney, Ontario, Canada. [1]

Contents

History

Killarney Mountain Lodge was purchased in the 1950s by the Fruehauf Trailer Corporation as a company retreat. [2] The corporation used its fleet of airplanes to transport guests to the location, with some visitors coming on their own. [3]

In 1962, the company built a road leading to the retreat, and the Fruehauf Trailer Corporation sold the property to Maury and Annabelle East. [2] The couple owned and operated Killarney Mountain Lodge for 53 years. As of 2015, there are approximately 50 people employed, mostly from Killarney. [4] In 2015, the Easts sold the lodge to its current owner, Holden Rhodes. [2] Construction of the lodge began in 2017 and was completed in 2019. [5]

Rhodes had family ties to the area. His mother was born and raised in Killarney, and his ancestors had been there since its founding. [2] He planned to renovate the resort to create new business while maintaining historic aspects.

The largest addition to the property is the conference center. [2] Since Rhodes' purchase and renovation of the lodge, occupation at the lodge has increased. [6]

Canada House

Design

The log-built convention center was designed by architects from R. Tomè + Associates, structural engineer Strik, Baldinelli, Moniz, Ltd., structural mechanic Emcad, and log structure design by Murray Arnott Design. [7] The goal was to create a landmark representing Canadian history. The design was inspired by the grandeur of the Fairmont hotels. Despite its large size, the conference center blends into its surroundings.[ according to whom? ] [6]

Over 500 people were involved from the initial design to the final construction of the conference center. [2]

Construction

Local logging crews from the Wikwemikong Unceded Reserve were hired during construction, acknowledging the First Nations history of the land. [8] The crews harvested more than 110 metric tones (approximately 120 short tons) of white pine, which was prepared prior to assembly. [8]

The logs were stripped of bark, seasoned for several weeks, and hand-shaped using draw knives. They were preassembled at the builder’s yard, tagged and numbered, then disassembled, transported to the site, and reassembled on location. [8]

The project used traditional log-building techniques associated with the Georgian Bay region. [8]

Materials

The name Canada House reflects the use of building materials sourced from across Canada:

Wood

  • Approximately 1,000 logs of eastern white pine from Ontario and Quebec, and Douglas fir from British Columbia. [7]
  • Logs measured approximately 45–60 centimeters (18–24 inches) in diameter. [7]
  • Eastern white pine was used for the exterior and interior wall construction. [7]
  • Douglas fir was used for the roof structure. [7]

Stone and aggregate

  • Pink granite sourced from the Canadian Shield. [2]
  • White quartz from the La Cloche Mountain Range. [2]
  • Building stone from Owen Sound and Waitron, Ontario. [2]
  • Approximately 2,500 truckloads of gravel were transported from Sudbury, Ontario. [2]

Concrete and masonry

  • Over 1,000 cubic meters (approximately 1,300 cubic yards) of concrete were used in construction. [7]
  • An estimated 15,000 hours of masonry work were required. [2]

Landscaping

  • Approximately 2,500 trees and shrubs were planted as part of the landscape design. [2]

Use

The conference center consists of multiple rooms designed to host groups between 25 and 250 people. [9] There are five grand halls for larger gatherings such as conferences, weddings, special dinners, banquets, or classes. Most halls have their own fireplace and bar. [9] There are eight smaller meeting rooms for smaller gatherings. [9]

Each of the rooms is named after local historical figures, locations, or events, such as Hole-in-the-wall, Group of Seven, Granite Ridge, and Silver Peaks. [9] Indigenous artwork is hung in the conference center, featuring art by James Simon Mishibinijima. [2]

References

  1. ↑ "Welcome to Killarney Mountain Lodge". Killarney Mountain Lodge. Retrieved 2021-04-04.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 "Video: We visited the world's largest log-built conference centre: Canada House in Killarney". Sudbury.com. Retrieved 2021-03-01.
  3. ↑ "Fruehauf's Aviation Fleet". Singing Wheels: The History of the Fruehauf Trailer Company. Retrieved 2021-03-01.
  4. ↑ "After 53 years, East family sells Killarney Mountain Lodge (2 photos)". Sudbury.com. Retrieved 2021-03-01.
  5. ↑ 2018 ONTARIO CONCRETE AWARDS. FISHER WAVY INC. 2018.
  6. 1 2 "History made and remembered in one project". Northern Ontario Business. Retrieved 2021-03-01.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 2018 ONTARIO CONCRETE AWARDS. FISHER WAVY INC. 2018.
  8. 1 2 3 4 Dovetail, About the Author / (2020-11-16). "Canada House at Killarney Lodge". Wood Design & Building. Retrieved 2021-03-01.{{cite web}}: |first= has generic name (help)
  9. 1 2 3 4 "World's Largest Log-Built Conference Centre at Killarney Mountain Lodge". Northern Ontario Travel. 2019-10-23. Retrieved 2021-03-01.
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