Students Night Out At Soo Lock Boat Tours
By: Jessica Bunke

On September 8 at 6:00 pm, LSSU students jumped at the opportunity to take a ride on the Soo Lock Boat Tours.  This event was hosted by the LSSU Activities Board to allow students to meet other students, see the Soo Locks and surrounding areas, and to have an enjoyable evening.  Tickets cost five dollars per student, compared to the normal price of forty-five dollars per individual; the tour included a two hour boat ride through the Soo Locks with an audio presentation of the sites, dinner, and door prizes. Approximately fifty students were present at this event.
On this trip, students boarded the tour boat, Holiday, and were seated on the lower deck where dinner was to be served or on the observation deck.  The tour began on the east side of the Soo Locks where students were able to see the businesses and historical buildings located along the St. Mary River on the Michigan and Canadian sides. Passengers were able to get a close up view of the Canadian steel industry and transport ships, which are located on the western side of the Soo Locks.  
The highlight of the boat tour was when the students actually got to travel through the Soo Locks.  The Holiday cruised in through the gates and anchored on the right side of the canal.  Once the canal gates had shut, it would take about fifteen minutes for the water to rise twenty-one feet before the boat was allowed to safely proceed on.  Samantha Gabriel, a Junior at LSSU, said, Going through the Soo Locks was my favorite part.
It can be expensive, said Sarah Swenson, a Junior, but for a good price you get a great view and a free meal.
The Soo Lock Boat Tours are located in downtown Sault Ste. Marie on E. Portage AVE.  Tours are offered three to four times a day from mornings to evenings.



