Volunteers bring Clayton Taylor Park’s turbine back to life after 2024 storm damage
CLAYTON — A piece of Clayton’s industrial past has been given new life thanks to a community-driven restoration at Clayton Taylor Park.
Clayton Taylor Park’s historic water turbine, damaged when a tree fell on it in 2024, has been repaired and reinstalled following months of volunteer labour and support from local tradespeople. The project was highlighted during the Oct. 1 Heritage Advisory Committee meeting of the Municipality of Mississippi Mills.
Coun. Jane Torrance first raised the turbine’s condition with staff, which set off a series of site visits and consultations. Director of Development Services and Engineering, Melanie Knight, told the committee the restoration quickly became a story of the community stepping forward.
“We managed to get a couple of volunteers who are experts in this field,” Knight said. “They did the work. We just helped coordinate and make sure we were there for it.”
Led by Mike Dupuis of Canadian Hydro Components, the turbine was removed in late 2024, taken to a shop for repair, sandblasted, repainted and structurally reinforced. It was returned to the Clayton Taylor Park this year and reinstalled in its proper orientation facing the water.
Local contractors and volunteers contributed at little or no cost, Knight said, including crane operator Earl Manson, steelworker Ryan Arbutnott of Valley Steel, arborist Alan Goddard and contractor Frankie Minnille. Public works crews also cleared overgrown gardens, removed invasive buckthorn and trimmed nearby trees to protect the site from future storm damage.
Clayton Taylor Park’s concrete base proved sound, which reduced overall expenses. Costs that did arise — such as sandblasting, painting and landscaping — were covered through small budgets from the Heritage Committee and Parks and Recreation.
The turbine now stands restored and freshly painted, with additional work planned. Staff will prepare new planting designs for spring 2026, and the committee will oversee the creation of interpretive panels telling the story of the turbine, the damage it sustained and the community’s role in saving it.
Councillors praised the effort, noting it showcased the best of Mississippi Mills.
“This is what excites me about this community,” chair Michael Rikley-Lancaster said. “When you’re just unsure and the right people come forward, it gets done at reduced rates and, for a lot of it, next to no cost. I commend the team, and thank you, Councillor Torrance.”
Torrance said sometimes it’s easy to be the person with the idea. “It’s when you have a team that’s actually going to do it. So thanks, Melanie. You and your department really hit it out of the park this time. It’s fantastic and a great news story.”
Committee members also agreed to send thank-you letters to those who gave their time and expertise.
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