$3.2 MILLION SEGWUN RENO AND MUSKOKA DISCOVERY CENTRE CLIMATE DISPLAY GETS $1.3M FROM PROVINCE – MuskokaTODAY.com

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Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com

GRAVENHURST — “Education and good fun.”

That sums up a $3.2 million reno and retro fit of the Segwun and Muskoka Discovery Centre this year.

The oldest operating steamship in North America and the ever-evolving Muskoka Lakes educational school are undergoing a stem to stern makeover and more interactive dockside entertainment and learning exhibits focusing on climate change.

This year as it celebrates 139 years of shipping passengers and freight, the RMS Segwun (Royal Mail Ship) is being revamped almost top to bottom in a $2.2 million deep facelift.

A year after almost toppling from a torrential early December winter snowfall, work began before Christmas — 12 months later — with the removal of the aft deck rooftop, full stern decking and an interior gutting.

MPPs Scott Brownrigg and Graydon Smith were in Gravenhurst Friday morning to announce $1.33 million in Northern Ontario Heritage Fund grants for the Segwun and Muskoka Discovery Centre. PHOTOS Mark Clairmont MuskokaTODAY.com

Hidden from Hwy. 169 view — by its sister ship the Wenonah II diesel — the demo includes removal of the bow’s top deck’s wheelhouse as part of a massive rebuild that also includes electrical pipe work in and around and connected to the still-chugging along engine.

But like the phoenix over the ship captain’s wheel, the changes symbolize its rebirth, regeneration and resilience. And represents the vessel’s ability to return stronger after construction and to endure the Muskoka Lakes’ headwinds and sea challenges ahead.

Which means another unfortunate two-month-+ late season start before finally a return to daily cruises Labour Day weekend.

So said John Miller this morning, Muskoka Steamships’ president and CEO, as he welcomed MPPs Graydon Smith and the Northern Ontario Heritage Foundation Minister Scott Brownrigg for two big related funding announcements.

The government ministers provided $830,875 to keep the Segwun afloat for decades more and $500,000 for a complementary lakes display appropriately and accurately entitled ‘Love Muskoka, Sustain Muskoka,’ opening in May.

The projects’ funding has also come from FEDNOR and the District of Muskoka.

**Muskoka Steamships presient and CEO John Miller welcomed the ministers and the money as the Gravenhurst company celebrates its 139th year in 2026.**

Following an off-and-on, up and down running the past few years of running for the sometimes struggling Segwun — dating back to the three-year COVID layoff — this will see her beautifully restored and re-invigorated for the fall Cavalcade of Colour tour season.

So book you passage now for September and October if you want to the best little ride (97 seats + crew) in Muskoka and beyond.

It will be the culmination of a 2026 swabbing of the deck and polishing of the brass along with ongoing new hands-on learning experiences at the Discovery Centre museums.

In an interview after the announcement today, Miller told MuskokaTODAY.com the simple reason for the renovations was age related.

While the engine and boiler remain sound, the complementary chores and labours of love are necessary after its 1887 launch, he explained

Though annual maintenance including minor refurbishing has continued ongoing since former prime minister Pierre Trudeau re-launched Gravenhurst’s once floating museum on June 1, 1974, her wear and tear has built up.

He said removal of the top deck, weatherproofing, electrical and woodworking — including the lounge and bar area and walls — down to the freight deck was eventually essentially necessary due to normal moisture and water-wear.

About 50 per cent of the wood will be replaced, he said.

That’s work being done by the Cutting Brothers, much of it at their Port Carling workshop this winter. They’re the Muskoka company that rebuilt the beautiful Bracebridge band shell this past fall helping maintain its authentic period look.

**Miller was joined by local and provincial politicians in this morning’s big announcement, which they say will keep the ship afloat and museum visitors learning more about climate change.**

The Segwun has operated safely with Coast Guard checks until now, but when it was down during the pandemic the global health outbreak masked some underlying faults that will be rectified to keep it afloat.

Miller, who has been with the Muskoka Fleet 25 years (including being top gun now and firing the canon atop the wheelhouse on Pirate cruises), says without the boiler being fired up for five months of the summer the pipe problems weren’t mitigated prompting down shipping time.

Like the past two limited-duration sailing summers.

“You can’t tell if the pipes are leaking unless there’s steam running through them.”

Meanwhile, he said the third member of the Muskoka Fleet the 20-passenger Wanda III — electrified in 2023 — has had two successful seasons.

Coal will still power Segwun

Miller added that while he and board have “always been prudent” in discussions about whether coal use remains in the best interest of the ship and environment, he said there are “no” plans to change Segwun’s source of power.

He noted American tariffs and coal sales and shipments cross-border have also been taken into consideration for this coming fall’s season.

They did look possibly at diesel as a new generation source, but that would be “four times the cost of coal.”

Also on that same subject, he said any questions of electrifying the ship were quickly ruled out by the board as their investigations “around world” showed that would be far too cost prohibitive.

Besides, Miller said, “it wouldn’t be the same experience for me or the passengers.”

Discovery Centre general manager Wendy Fairbairn, too, is excited for her new $1 million exhibit, which is close to completion — about 80 per cent.

It’s a perfect complement to the “Water Wonders” display, $10 million “Misko-Aki: Confluence of Cultures” exhibit and Muskoka steamships museum opened in the past couple of years.

She plans a soft opening is May with a larger public opening shortly to follow.

“Supporting projects like this is part of our government’s commitment to protecting local heritage and preserving the stories that shaped our region,” said Smith in a release later this afternoon.

“The RMS Segwun has sailed the Muskoka Lakes since before Canada became a country, and I’m proud to support its restoration so it can continue to sail for many years to come. I appreciate the efforts of the Muskoka Discovery Centre in restoring this important piece of Muskoka heritage.

“And I’m grateful to the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation for recognizing the importance of investing in this project. I’m also excited to see the new interactive exhibit being supported through this funding.”