Thirty years ago, Sudbury,
Ontario was a far cry from its English namesake located in England's
Suffolk country. Suffolk's version is defined by colourful meadows and scenic
appeal. Decades of mining left Ontario's Sudbury looking quite the opposite:
barren and brown. At one time, many people were content to write the city off
as an industrial wasteland whose economic stature was its only redeeming quality.
For those who have lost sight of this booming Ontario
city, a second look is definitely warranted. Major environmental improvements,
which have garnished international attention and have left the city lush, green
and littered with a plethora of natural areas, will surprise even the most pessimistic
of travellers.
HISTORY
With a history that literally started
off with a big bang, it's no surprise that this northeastern city has become
a thriving urban centre that holds the title of largest city in northwestern
Ontario.
Sudbury's history dates back nearly
two billion years ago. A meteorite, measuring 10 to 20 km (6 to 12 mi) in diameter,
collided into the planet in the section of earth that would eventually become
Sudbury, causing the earth's crust to crack. In addition to carving out a kidney-shaped
hole 20 km (12 mi) deep, the meteorite left behind exceptional amounts of nickel,
copper and platinum.
Fast-forward a few billions years,
the earliest documentation of aboriginal habitation is recorded at 6,000 to
7,000 BC. By the time European explorers arrived in the 1600s, the Ottawa tribe
of the Ojibwa had been well settled. French explorers and eventually fur traders
and voyagers were attracted to areas less than 70 km (44 mi) from Sudbury due to the
convenience of water transportation. Explorers frequented the area, but European
settlement didn't happen until later the next century.
By the 1800s, Sudbury had already
established its roots as a lumbering community until 1883, when during the westward
expansion of the railroad, a Canadian Pacific (CP) employee happened upon the
sight where the meteorite hit. Before long, area workers were trading in their
axes for picks and in 1891, the Canadian Copper Company began to mine copper
from the Basin. Copper production was fierce until it was discovered that the
Basin contained massive amounts of nickel deposits - a metal more valuable than
copper.
As the demand for nickel grew so
did Sudbury's population. Nickel production rose and fell with the economy,
reaching its peak during the Second World War, when the total production over
the six-year period was higher than the total ever produced from the Basin.
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A Symbol of
Sudbury's Largest Industry
Photo Courtesy of Science North |
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It is now known that the Sudbury
Basin contains one of the largest nickel deposits in the world, measuring approximately
65 km (40 mi) long by 25 km (15 mi) wide and averages three billion dollars
in revenue per annum for this northeastern Ontario city. In fact, the International
Nickel Company (INCO) mines about 10 to 15 per cent of the world's nickel supply
from the Sudbury Basin.
Because of the city's stronghold
on world nickel supplies, Sudbury's nickel has been involved in a number of
large-scale projects. In 1938, some of Sudbury's commodity was used in the construction
of the Statue of Liberty. The National Cathedral in Washington also has a helping
of Sudbury nickel.
Like any protagonist in a good plot,
Sudbury has had its fair share of hardships. Reliance on a volatile industry
meant that Sudbury wasn't always a stable city. And although the city usually
benefited financially by the mineral deposits, after nearly a century of mining,
Sudbury's environmental health was gasping. By the early 1970s, an estimated
65 km (40 mi) of land was sterile and another 225 km (140 mi) was estimated
to be semi-infertile. During this time Sudbury was also gaining the reputation
as one of the largest producers of acid rain causing chemicals in North America
- and with good reason, Sudbury's pollution levels far exceeded that of many
highly populated cities. It seems the only company that benefited from the harsh
environmental conditions was the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
(NASA) - the space program used Sudbury's barren landscape as rehearsal space
for lunar surface landings.
Currently, Sudbury
is crafting a new reputation. In 1978, the Vegetation Enhancement Technical
Advisory Committee (VETAC) took on the responsibility of implementing the Sudbury
Land Reclamation Project. Large amounts of lime was introduced to the acid rich
soil and acted as a base, neutralizing the earth and promoting growth. The experimental
project has been deemed a success as millions of trees have been reintroduced
into the terrain consequently helping to improve air quality levels by over
90 per cent. The slow return of area wildlife has also been an encouraging factor
of the land reclamation project and has provided real evidence of Sudbury's
slow-and-steady approach to environmental recovery.
Sudbury's clean-up efforts have breathed
new life into the city's lagging tourism industry as well. Positioned in Ontario's
rugged north, this thriving urban centre acts as a great jumping off point for
a number of recreational activities while still providing the comforts of everyday
life. Kayaking, canoeing, hiking and more are staple activities that account
for a large portion of the city's tourism appeal. Over 300 lakes are located
within the boundaries of Greater Sudbury, including the city's crown jewels,
Ramsey and Wanapitei lakes, the two largest city-contained lakes in North America.
GEOGRAPHY & TRANSPORTATION
Sudbury is located approximately
300 km (187 mi) east of Sault
Ste. Marie and 420 km (260 mi) northwest of Toronto
in the northeastern region of Ontario.
Ontario's north is recognized as a premier recreational spot, largely due to
the abundance of lakes interspersed throughout the region. Georgian Bay, a premier
vacation destination, is also within 50 km (10 mi) from Sudbury.
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Hiking
Around Greater Sudbury |
In 2001, a number of towns and cities,
including Sudbury,
Capreol, Nickel Centre, Onaping Falls, Rayside-Balfour, Valley East and Walder,
as well as a number of other townships, officially amalgamated to form the City
of Greater Sudbury.
The Greater Sudbury Region is connected
to the rest of Ontario via the Trans-Canada Highway (Highway 17) travelling
east and west, and Highway 69, which travels south into the city. Several flights
depart daily from the Greater Sudbury Airport for Toronto's
Pearson Airport. However, not all the aircraft leaving from Sudbury's
airport is destined for Toronto; flights arriving to destinations throughout
Canada also take to the skies from this point.
Greyhound Bus service is usually
a more cost-friendly alternative to flying and in addition to being available
in all major cities, bus service is also available in smaller cities, towns
and villages throughout Ontario.
After the bags are unpacked and all
are settled into accommodations, guests are ready to explore the city. Greater
Sudbury Transit
is easily accessible and runs frequently throughout the week
with limited service after 10 pm and weekends. For those busy areas in Greater
Sudbury not serviced by city transit, Trans Cab will pick up patrons along specified
routes and transport them to a bus terminal. Transit is an affordable way to
explore the urban areas, but guests wishing to try their luck with waterskiing,
kayaking or other recreational pursuits may find that renting a vehicle is the
only way to go.
Three vehicle rental companies are
available right at the airport, although making reservations ahead of time is
advisable. There is also taxi service to the airport. In addition
to airport rental stations, other rental terminals are available throughout
Greater Sudbury and can be located through the yellow pages.
CLIMATE
Like most of Ontario, Sudbury's weather
is influenced by the Great Lakes, which moderate the weather and result in higher
precipitation. Because of Sudbury's mild weather, trips to the area are a viable
option at any time. Unlike its neighbours to the south, which can rise to extreme
temperatures, Sudbury's summer weather is temperate as the Lakes serve to cool
the air.
As heat trapped in the Great Lakes
begins to release in late fall and early winter, warmer weather drifts through
the city. As a result, fall temperatures are mild -- days are ordinarily sunny
and evenings brisk but tolerable.
Arctic air masses from the north,
and warm air masses from the Gulf of Mexico, battle to control Sudbury's winter
climate. The unfortunate news is since Sudbury is positioned to the north of
the Great Lakes, arctic air is more prominent, resulting in those cooler temperatures.
The good news for those partial to winter activities, however, is that the cold
temperatures are usually accompanied by a fair bit of snowfall that tends to
stick around well into March.
ATTRACTIONS
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View of Science North
Photo Courtesy of Science North |
Mining
Not surprisingly, many of Sudbury's
notable attractions are dedicated to the area's mining history. A must-see attraction
is Sudbury Science
North, which runs several of the city's largest attractions. The Science
Centre, given the 2002 honours of 'best indoor sight' by Attractions
Canada, is recognizable by the giant snowflakes that are a part of the building's
structure. The flakes are joined together by an underground tunnel carved from
two-billion-year-old pre-Cambrian rock. Even more of a marvel is what awaits
visitors inside the massive structure. The sight houses a number of hands-on
exhibits, an indoor animal discovery centre featuring live animals, the Virtual
Voyages amusement area and an IMAX screen. Over 400 free-flying tropical butterflies
and plants can be found at the F.
Jean Macleod Butterfly Gallery, also located within the confines of
the snowflake structure.
At nine metres (30 feet) high, the
Big Nickel is an appropriate welcome to Dynamic
Earth, a science centre dedicated to the exploration of geosciences.
Recently opened, Dynamic Earth is run by Science North and located on Big Nickel
Road - again very appropriate. As visitors descend 20 metres (65 feet) into
a deep hole, meant to simulate mining conditions, they learn about geology and
the mining history responsible for Sudbury's thriving success. Once at the bottom,
exhibits and galleries depict mining practices from the early 1900s through
to the present day.
Festivals
Far removed from Sudbury's industrial
roots, some of the finest filmmakers from Canada and abroad congregate in Sudbury
for one week during September to showcase their work at Cinefest.
Established in 1989, this international film festival has grown to be the fourth
largest film festival in Canada, made popular by its offering of fine films
in a less crowded atmosphere than the other top three festival destinations.
Greater Sudbury's cultural environment
is an eclectic mix that dates from the city's earliest settlers in the area:
the French. In addition to a large French-speaking population, which accounts
for nearly 1/4 of the total number of people, a vibrant and diverse group of other
European-Canadians also exists. Evidence of their cultural celebrations can
be found in a number of area festivals. One such festival, The
Canadian Garlic Festival, was established in 1991 by the Ukrainian Seniors
Society. For one day in the summer, festivalgoers can overload their senses
and taste buds with garlic dishes ranging from garlic beverages to garlic fudge.
The festival also has a number of entertainers, face painting for the kids and
demonstrations.
Parks and Recreation
Bell
Park and Ramsey
Lake Walkway are connected to many of the city's main attractions including
Science North. The park is minutes from downtown and chances are if you attend
a public festival in the city, it will take place here. The silhouettes of sailboats
and water-skiers are familiar scenes on Lake Ramsey during the summer, and as
the sun dips below the water's surface, a crimson hue envelops the sky.
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Ramsey
Lake from Landings Restaurant
Photo Courtesy of Science North |
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Only ten minutes from the low rumble
of city traffic lives a quiet, nature oasis. Lake
Laurentian Conservation Area encompasses 950 hectares (2,400 acres)
of nature trails, wetlands, hiking, biking and cross-country ski trails. Relax
in one of the many picnic or lakeside areas, or incorporate a long, vigorous
hike into the fitness regime. The self-guided nature trail is a relaxing 30-minute
stroll with benches strategically placed along vantage points of Lake Laurentian.
Have the camera ready for visits from area wildlife.
A number of tours
and adventures begin from within, or just outside Greater Sudbury. Kayaking,
canoeing and hiking are extremely popular area activities. Local tour companies
offer a variety of packages with varying lengths and activities.
