The admission-free Power Vista, which is part of Power Authority’s 2,441-megawatt Niagara Power Project, tells the story of how hydropower is generated, using state-of-the art multimedia exhibits. One of the highlights is a surround-sound theater that allows visitors to hear, see and feel the experience of a single drop of rain as it lands in the Niagara River, gets pulled through the turbines of the Niagara Power Project and is transformed into a unit of energy.
The theater’s four-dimensional special effects provide a virtual rollercoaster ride, allowing visitors to experience the journey as if they were inside the main power plant, the state’s largest.
“More than 7 million people have visited the Power Vista over the years,” said Gil C. Quiniones, NYPA president and CEO. “But now, with the help of next-generation interactive computer technologies, similar to those used at theme parks, we are positioning the Vista to become the Hoover Dam of the East and welcome millions more.”
“The Niagara Power Project has long been an economic pillar of this region and the Power Vista has served as a showcase for the role NYPA plays,” said John R. Koelmel, NYPA chairman. “With these upgrades, the Power Vista can now also enhance the cultural life of the Niagara region and serve as a valuable educational tool.”
School groups have been coming to the Power Vista since it opened in 1963, and many of the new exhibits were tailored for a STEAM-based (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) curriculum for three different audiences; elementary, middle school and adult. The exhibits also allow teachers and students to access their scores at each exhibit and, with parents’ permission, share photos on social media.
The Power Vista’s comprehensive redesign and reconstruction also features a:
- Control room simulator that lets visitors operate a power plant
- Transmission table that allows visitors to run the state power grid and direct power to where it’s needed most
- Kiosk where visitors build their own power dam and decide which materials will result in the most resilient structure
The Power Vista exhibits include the latest hands-on interactive technologies, large touch screens, and internet connectivity. Visitors can download their results from the interactive games onto an electronic card embedded with a microchip and revisit those experiences on their home computers and smart phones.
“The Niagara Power Project has a great story to tell about the incredible achievement of converting a lake that feeds a river to harness clean, affordable hydroelectricity,” said Congressman Brian Higgins. “The investments at the Power Vista share this historical and present-day narrative while providing a fresh, new, hands-on experience that encourages learning and creates another great tourist destination in Niagara Falls.”
“Growing up in the area, I remember a lot of fun visits to the Power Vista and I’m excited to enjoy a new state-of-the-art experience,” said Lewiston Town Supervisor Steve Broderick. “Local families as well as tourists will have the opportunity to enjoy a great attraction and then enjoy the restaurants and shops in Lewiston.”
“As we look forward to an extremely successful tourist season, we are thrilled that our visitors and residents will have access to yet another exciting and interactive attraction that not educates in a fun and entertaining way,” said John Percy, President & CEO of the Niagara Tourism & Convention Corp. “Congratulations to the New York Power Authority on the transformation of this tremendously important attraction.”
The upgrades at the Niagara Power Vista were designed and installed by Hadley Exhibits Inc. of Buffalo.
“This was a very exciting project to work on because the exhibits examine the past, present and future of the Niagara power plant and the region,” said Ted Johnson, president and CEO of Hadley Exhibits, Inc. “Inside the Power Vista, visitors will experience an amazing journey exploring the geology that led to the development of hydroelectricity and its transmission, the history of the Niagara Power Project and a look at the future of the power industry.”
The Power Vista is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, except some holidays. It is located at 5777 Lewiston Road (Route 104) in Lewiston. Parking and admission are free. For more information, contact NYPA’s Power Vista at 716-286-6661 or visit, www.nypa.gov/vc/niagara.htm.
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