October 17, 2019
Today marks the 18th anniversary of the provincial historic designation of the Rossdale Power Plant. A new lighting installation that highlights the architecture and history of the structure and the start of the River Crossing area’s revitalization will be illuminated tonight at 7:03 p.m.
The power plant will be lit by 35 light stands in its mezzanine floor windows and 28 lights on the smoke stacks.
“It’s wonderful to use lighting to highlight the beauty of this historic industrial structure,” said Erik Backstrom, Senior Planner, Planning Initiatives. “The Rossdale Power Plant is a landmark in Edmonton’s River Valley. It powered Edmonton’s economic development for decades, and will be a key spark to bring new life to the area through the River Crossing initiative.”
The project cost $200,000, with $180,000 coming from a $3.2 million power plant stabilization project, and $20,000 funded by a grant from the City’s Lighting Heritage Buildings Pilot Program, an initiative of Edmonton's WinterCity Strategy. The lights were installed by EPCOR.
“The river crossing has been a gathering place for 10,000 years,” said Geoff Wagner, Senior Manager, Project Development. “The new, decorative lighting system continues this celebration of our past, and creates excitement for what the building and the site can become in the future.”
The power plant was built in phases between the 1930s and the 1950s and decommissioned between 2011-2012. On October 17, 2001, as a result of the efforts of organizations such the Rossdale Community League and ConCerv, a group that advocated for the preservation of the plant, three buildings at the Rossdale Power Plant were designated as Provincial Historic Resources, protecting them for future generations.
The plant is widely recognized as an important part of our city’s history.The City of Edmonton envisions the River Crossing area becoming a significant destination for Edmontonians and visitors, and an attractive community for thousands of residents.
