Niagara Parks Hosts Engineering Partnership Agreement Between Canada and Spain
For Immediate Release
September 30, 2010
Niagara Parks Hosts Engineering Partnership Agreement
Between Canada and Spain
Grandson of Whirlpool Aero Car creator heads up Spanish Delegation
Niagara Falls, Ontario – The grandson of the engineer who designed the Whirlpool Aero Car, one of the premier tourist attractions at Niagara Falls since it was built in 1916, signed a landmark civil engineering partnership agreement between Canada and Spain here today.
The agreement, between the Canadian Society for Civil Engineering (CSCE) and its Spanish counterpart the Asociación de Ingenieros de Caminos, Canales y Puertos de España (AICCP), will promote a closer working relationship to the benefit of members of both organizations and for the benefit of the Civil Engineering profession.
The Whirlpool Aero Car (formerly known as the Spanish Aero Car) was also named by The Canadian Society for Civil Engineering as an International Historic Civil Engineering Work. The Aero Car was designed by the distinguished Spanish Engineer, Leonardo Torres Quevedo, whose grandson not only bears his name, but also acts as the President of the Spanish Association.
“This is the first agreement of its kind between our two associations and it will bring civil engineers in both countries closer together to exchange information and ideas,” stated CSCE President Vic Perry. “We are also thrilled to be in Niagara to formally recognize the Whirlpool Aero Car as an International Historic Civil Engineering Work,” Perry went on to add.
According to Bob McIlveen, Executive Director of Corporate Services for The Niagara Parks Commission, “it is especially fitting that the ceremony is taking place in Niagara, where the Aero Car was built and that we have the grandson of the Spanish engineer who built it taking part in this ceremony”.
Since it began operating in 1916, the Whirlpool Aero Car has carried millions of tourists over the Niagara River, offering unparalleled views of both the whirlpool rapids and Niagara gorge. In 2009, the Aero Car carried over 112,000 passengers and continues to operate as safely as it has since it first opened 94-years ago.
As part of the signing ceremony, a commemorative plaque was unveiled recognizing the Historic Engineering significance of both the Aero Car and its designer.
In addition to unveiling the commemorative plaque, the Spanish Association President, and other members of the CSCE executive travelled across the Niagara Whirlpool in the Aero Car.
The Aero Car is believed to be the sole remaining example of Torres Quevedo’s design for an aerial ferry. In addition, the Aero Car was built by a Spanish company with Spanish capital. It was first operated in tests on February 15, 1916 and was officially inaugurated on August 8, 1916. It opened to the public the following day and the cableway, with small modifications, continues to operate as a popular attraction to this day.
It is the only work in Canada of one of the most outstanding and prolific thinkers and innovators in the history of engineering. In addition to Civil Engineering design, Torres Quevedo initiated several significant developments in dirigible design, in radio control and in analytical calculating machines.
The Canadian Society for Civil Engineering has, to date, commemorated fifty-seven National, International or Regional Historic Civil Engineering Sites as part of its Award winning History of Civil Engineering Program. In 2002, the Society was awarded the prestigious Pierre Berton History Award by Canada’s National History Society for its work in publicizing, popularizing and bringing Canadian History to a wider audience.
The Whirlpool Aero Car is owned and operated by The Niagara Parks Commission, an agency of the Government of Ontario that has preserved and maintained the parklands and attractions surrounding the Falls, while remaining financially self-sufficient since 1885.
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For more information, please contact:
Louise Newman
Communications Manager
Canadian Society for Civil Engineering
Tel: (514) 933-2634 ext. 23
Fax: (514) 933-3504
louise@csce.cao
OR
Tony Baldinelli
Communications Manager
The Niagara Parks Commission
Tel: (905) 371-0837
tbaldinelli@niagaraparks.com