Canada’s largest shingled roof getting a makeover
Great Wolf Lodge is upgrading its roof while guests not present due to pandemic precautions
Although Great Wolf Lodge remains closed, the water park resort is a flurry of activity these days as crews work to upgrade the roof — which holds the title of the largest shingled roof in Canada.
“Prior to the pandemic shutdown, our operational teams were focused on how to juggle a full occupancy resort with a major construction project,” said Keith Simmonds, vice-president and general manager. “The pandemic certainly eliminated that challenge and we no longer have to be concerned with negative guest impacts.”
The Victoria Avenue property was first shingled 15 years ago during original construction. The roof is 22,500 square metres (250,000 square feet) — roughly 15 NHL hockey rinks of surface area. Now, 16,200 square metres is being replaced with a steel roofing system from Boral Canada Ltd.
The metal roofing is being applied over the traditional asphalt shingles.
“By installing a metal roof, Great Wolf Lodge is eliminating approximately 540,000 pounds (243,00 kilograms) of asphalt shingles, nails, underlayments, and other roofing-related materials from being sent to a landfill,” said Boral’s Kevin Martin.
Metal roofs have 25 to 95 per cent recycled content, depending on the material used, and are 100 per cent recyclable at the end of its lifespan. The new roof will also be 10 to 25 per cent more energy efficient than the previous roof.
“The environmentally friendly aspect and longevity were definite advantages to changing over from asphalt to metal,” Simmonds said.
The project is expected to be completed in October.
Great Wolf Lodge closed March 15 after the province ordered the closure of all non-essential businesses.
Water parks are expected to be included in Stage 3 of the province’s reopening strategy.
When the resort does open — expected to be in late August — it will operate at reduced occupancy levels.
Alison Langley is a St. Catharines-based reporter for the Niagara Falls Review. Reach her via email: alison.langley@niagaradailies.com