Newly Renovated Power Vista Reopens as Niagara Falls Tourist Attraction
Contact Connie Cullen (914)-390-8196 connie.cullen@nypa.gov
August 28, 2001
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
LEWISTON—Joseph J. Seymour, chairman and chief executive officer of the New York Power Authority, Tuesday officially reopened the newly renovated Power Vista, one of Niagara Falls' premier tourist attractions.
"This new and improved Power Vista is a world-class facility that will give a significant boost to the Niagara Frontier tourism industry and demonstrates Governor Pataki's strong commitment to Western New York," said Seymour. "Building on over 75,000 area jobs created and protected with low-cost Power Authority electricity, the impact of the Power Vista, along with initiatives such as the USA Niagara Development Corp. and the Seneca Casino plan, will continue to spur economic growth in Western New York."
Michael Wilton, president of USA Niagara Development Corp., said, "In line with Governor Pataki’s vision to revitalize Western New York’s economy, the Power Authority has spectacularly updated the Power Vista to serve, even more dynamically, as one of the Niagara Frontier's leading educational and tourism attractions."
State Senator George D. Maziarz said, "The reopening of the Power Vista is most welcome news as it signals the resurgence of our area visitor attractions. The new and improved Power Vista will provide exciting interactive educational opportunities that will contribute significantly to the overall visitor experience in the Niagara region."
Assemblywoman Francine DelMonte said, "The Power Vista has always been a popular attraction for tourists and residents alike. The enhancements made are visually exciting and will offer visitors a greater educational and entertaining experience."
The Power Vista, the visitors center for the Power Authority's Niagara Power Project, was closed in September 1998 to begin this $2.3 million renovation. Over 50 brand new interactive exhibits focusing on energy and local history were designed, fabricated and installed, in addition to the modernization of several long-time, crowd-pleasing exhibits. Over 6 million visitors have come to the Power Vista since it opened in 1963, shortly after the completion of the Niagara Power Project. In recent years, annual visitation has been over 140,000 and is expected to grow to over 200,000 in coming years due to this renovation.
Visitors enter the glass and marble Power Vista and proceed across a dramatic glass-enclosed corridor, suspended over the Robert Moses Parkway, filled with three-dimensional, large format photographs of the Niagara Project construction. The Niagara Project is the largest hydroelectric-generating facility in New York State and on any given day provides one-seventh of the State’s power needs.
Visitors can step into a human–size, camera box to view a 42" video panel showing, in real time, actual views of the Niagara River, the Gorge and area surrounding the Niagara Project. The panel can be adjusted to zoom in and out on this spectacular view so visitors can get up close and personal with the outside environs no matter what the weather.
Now visitors are ready to enter the "Electric Lab" filled with many exciting exhibits on the basics of electricity including descriptions of AC and DC currents, conductors, transistors and much more.
Next comes the large scale terrain map—a favorite of visitors of all ages—which has been updated with fiber optic lighting to give a geographic overview of the Niagara Project operations including the Robert Moses Power Plant and the Lewiston Pump Generating Plant.
Enter the life-like Victorian-style home where adults and children alike will learn tips on energy efficiency, conservation and safety with age-appropriate exhibits, many of which are hands-on.
The traveling by electricity exhibit is where visitors learn more about electric vehicles. The electric RAV4 is cut in half, right down the middle, and outfitted with "chase lights," pathways of lights operated by push buttons, to explain the interior and exterior operations of electric vehicles.
The future of electricity is described in exhibits on solar power and fuel cells.
Another series of exhibits chronicles several of the wide variety of Power Authority customers. A DVD video and several audio-tapes bring these businesses to life for visitors.
Visitors again experience the beauty of the Niagara River and Gorge, and the monumental presence of power plants on both sides of the river, from the stunning, outdoor Observation Deck located 350 feet up from river level.
As visitors now proceed down the escalator to the Lower Level, they’ll see the beautifully restored mural of Father Louis Hennepin’s visit to the Falls in 1678. The mural, by famed American artist Thomas Hart Benton, was commissioned by the Power Authority upon completion of the Niagara Project.
The next exhibit area highlights, through DVD video and visually-dynamic information displays, the local history and the development of the power industry in the Niagara area. This gallery is named the Cliff Spieler Niagara History Gallery in memory of the long-time Power Authority Vice President of Public Affairs who also served with distinction in a variety of newsroom roles at the Niagara Falls Gazette.
"From Niagara Falls and the Niagara Reservation to Fort Niagara, the Niagara Frontier is filled with many outstanding natural, historic and cultural sites, and today’s reopening of the Power Vista returns—in a new and improved style—this popular destination to that prestigious list," said Wilton.
The Power Vista is open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. with some holiday closings. Admission is free and the facility is handicapped-accessible. There are vending machines and areas with tables and chairs set aside for visitor convenience. For further information and all group tour bookings, please call 716-286-6661.
