Riverwalk 24/7/365
Origins
Design Concept
Riverwalk 24/7/365 is a proposed project to celebrate Sarnia’s unique place and historic role in building
Canada as part of Canada’s 150th anniversary of Confederation in 2017. This is a place that everyone can
enjoy 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, without admission.
The proposal gives meaning to the existing waterfront trail along Sarnia Bay to create an intimate
experience with maritime activities on the river – a location currently only possible at the Bluewater
Bridge in Point Edward.
The conceptual Pavilion design at the end of the Riverwalk is based on the three most important
characteristics that make Sarnia a unique city: the location on the St. Clair River and the St. Lawrence
Seaway, its prominence as the petro/bio chemical centre in Ontario, and the history and home of
Ontario’s only First Nations community located within an urban municipality.
The Pavilion is constructed of an organic grid form of stainless steel structural tubing with an eternal
flame that celebrates the fabrication skills of the people who built the refining industry of Sarnia.
When combined with the dome shelter, the pavilion references the wigwam summer homes of the aboriginal First Nations
ancestors. The dome provides shelter from rain and sun while being a kinetic sculptural light sculpture at
night.
The location of the Riverwalk increases the preservation area of the Point Lands by relocating the
existing pathways to the boardwalk over the shoreline protection rip rap on the periphery of the natural
areas.
The estimated construction cost of Riverwalk 24/7/365 is $2 million dollars depending on the final
design.
Available funding sources could include: direct investment by the City of Sarnia through The Canada 150
Fund; matching donations by local foundations through the Community Fund for Canada’s 150th ; direct
Federal funding through the Community Infrastructure Program – $342M resource allocated in the 2016
Federal Budget for culture and recreation; the Ontario Trillium Fund; and local industry and public
donations.
David Lavender is a local architect with an international practice.
You can contact David at info@davidlavenderarchitect.com, or view other architectural comments on Facebook at David Lavender Architect.
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