Individual Entry
The Four Sisters
I spent the majority of my life growing up in the wasteland suburbs of Mississauga. A massive, sprawling city with absolutely no distinguishing characteristics or any charm. Such was my adolescence.
The city is going through a major boom right now. It has changed drastically in the two years that I've been out of it, and the change wasn't just more sprawl; a lot of it is centralized. Condo tower after condo tower is going up in the city centre, all of which are engulfing and overshadowing Mississauga's iconic city centre. Soon, they too will be overshadowed by this massive thing.
While the now obscured civic centre might be the public face of Mississauga, the real icon, to me, always was Lakeview Generating Station. An old coal power station along the lake that, with its four massive smoke stacks, was visible from nearly anywhere in the city. Most of my school years were spent on a street almost directly north of it, so with the slope of the road, Lakeview was a daily (and prominent) site. For me it was the ultimate symbol of the city: giant, ugly, dirty, and unescapable.
On June 12th, the four smoke stacks will be demolished. I, for one, will miss them. Unfortunately, the demolition is on a Monday in the morning, so I won't be able to see it firsthand. On the plus side, since they are so conspicuous I can see them from my apartment. Sort of. It won't be an impressive show from this distance, but at least I'll get one last look.
Comments (5)
Almost north of it eh? So I'll take it you went to either Graydon or CP?
I'll miss them too. I see them everyday because I live a quick walk away and have a perfect view of them from my bedroom window. I hope to head down to Lakefront Promenade Park to get the perfect view. I was hoping to hitch a ride with some boaters but new time limitations have ruined those plans for me :-(
June 10, 2006 07:39 PM. Posted by: Trev.I actually got to see them - I tagged along with a local public school's field trip to watch the whole thing. The mayor was there and stuff. But she seems to be everywhere, no? I had a view of the sisters when I lived down near Bloor/Dixie**, from my balcony. But more importantly, those stacks (and the park/marina around it) are what i remember when i think of my first "late" nights out as a teenager, who had driving friends, but who wasn't 18. ahh... Mississauga - there really was never anything to do when we were growing up. I loved the sisters - they marked (sorta) where Toronto ended and Mississauga really began. But I'm hoping their demise will mark a beginning of rejuvenation in this city - get it back to its township roots. I know Civic Square is getting a major shot-in-the-arm with its MyMississauga campaign - with bands and the international bazaar and outdoor tai chi... I hope it makes Mississauga more than the urban sprawl we're used to.
**aside: High Point Family Restaurant was featured on the Food Network's "Restaurant Makeover" show (yes i watch that show; no I don't own a restaurant). Natioanl exposure - maybe we are becoming more city and less suburb.
Thanks for sharing your photos, they are an excellent view of the sisters. For me, I always knew i was home when i saw them. Port Credit was an awesome place to grow up, I barely recognize the place now. It really stunk though when the corn starch was there and working. Anyone remember that place?
June 14, 2006 01:16 PM. Posted by: tari.
Nice photo of the four sisters. May I have permission to print and frame?
By the way I disagree with your first paragraph. There are some charming things about Mississauga. People say hello to me on the streets of Port Credit...I find that charming. Cheers
Dave Spence
June 9, 2006 09:29 AM. Posted by: Dave.