Construction is set to begin on the Lake Superior National Marine Conservation Area Administration and Visitor Centre in Nipigon, Ont. Once complete, the building will serve as Parks Canada’s primary operations base and visitor reception area for Lake Superior National Marine Conservation Area.

In January 2024, Patty Hajdu, Minister of Indigenous Services and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario and Member of Parliament for Thunder Bay-Superior North, announced $37 million in federal funding for the contract award associated with construction of the centre.

The new administration and visitor centre will be a Parks Canada’s first Passive House Plus, net-zero carbon build. It will serve as the base for administrative and operational functions for Lake Superior National Marine Conservation Area, including management, resource conservation, visitor experience, maintenance, and law enforcement. The centre will also share the history of Indigenous peoples and coastal communities in the area.

Construction is anticipated to take two years, with a tentative public opening scheduled for 2026.

The construction contract was awarded to Finn Way General Contractor Inc., based in Thunder Bay, Ont., following a competitive process. The contract includes initiatives to promote employment opportunities and use of suppliers and contractors within local Indigenous communities.