Stepping Up to Save the Carousel

Thunder Bay Carvers Donate Their Time and Talent

For decades, Thunder Bay residents have been making memories as they whirled around on the Chippewa Park carousel. Now, a large and talented group of them have come together to save the 106-year-old amusement ride.

The Carousel Restoration Committee, created by the Friends of Chippewa Park, got things going by launching a drive to recruit volunteers and funds for the project. Among the many who answered the call were members of Thunder Bay Carvers, a local club devoted to all things related to carving. For the carvers, the project was undertaken in two main stages. City workers, in dismantling the carousel, discovered that nearly every carved wooden feature was weathered beyond repair. These included dragons, branches, flowers, and acanthus mirrors. So, in the first stage about 30 club members carved over 300 features for the rounding boards.

The specialty embellishment of all the carved features was done by Linda Siczkar, a local preservation artist, past board member of the U.S.-based National Carousel Association, and member of Thunder Bay Carvers. Siczkar has been given the opportunity to name a horse in recognition of her efforts and has chosen to call it Natasha, after her great-niece.

“My little lady will one day enjoy riding our Parker carousel,” she says. “I took a photo to show her when we are older, to give her and me a timeframe and a bit of history that I contributed to its restoration. It has been a pleasure to support the beautiful works of the Thunder Bay Carvers.”

The second stage has involved a smaller team carving the facades of the two chariots. These feature dragons, acanthus leaves, and a cornucopia. The members have worked in concert with the city’s carousel committee, which itself is guided by a carousel expert. The third stage of this project for the carvers will be to help city staff in rebuilding the carousel, attaching features to rounding boards, among other tasks.

Project leader Terry Hurtig, a member of both the club and to the carousel committee, says,

“It has been a privilege for our members to get the chance to contribute their expertise to this rare and historic part of our community.”

The value of all these in-kind contributions is approximately $500,000. Clearly, it’s local hands and hearts that are bringing this heritage treasure back to life. And we’ll all get to relive those happy memories starting in June, when the carousel reopens.

“My little lady will one day enjoy riding our Parker carousel.”