Pimisi
Pimisi Station is located in LeBreton Flats, specifically underneath the Booth Street Bridge. This station serves as a major transfer point to Gatineau as well as for big events in the region, such as Bluesfest, in addition to the Canadian War Museum located nearby.
This area of the city is poised to undergo significant redevelopment in the coming years and as a result, the station was built to accommodate this future growth.
Pimisi Station's design and many public art pieces showcase the Algonquin culture and reflect on the historical and contemporary cultural significance of the Algonquin people.
The station design features a centre platform, allowing easy access to trains heading in both directions. Entrances are located on both sides of the Booth Street Bridge, with an additional entrance located underneath the station, allowing access to the multi-use pathway and the Pimisi plaza. Additionally, stairs and an elevator provide access from the plaza to the Booth Street Bridge, without the need for passing through the station or the fare gates.
From the eastern entrance on the Booth Street Bridge, expansive glass windows afford passengers a clear view of train movements through the western tunnel portal entrance.
UNIQUE FEATURES
The station's unique design, thanks in part to its entrances above and below the station, allows passengers to both pass over and underneath the guideway, a unique design characteristic that is only shared with Bayview.
The artwork integrated and on display at the station is both stunning and extensive. From the Algonquin Canoe hanging over the platform level to the Pimisi (Eel) in the plaza area, and more, the Algonquin influence and culture are clearly reflected and respected at this station. While the station is located in the city, the plaza promotes calmness in an otherwise busy and bustling region of the city. With plenty of benches and places to sit, rest and relax, Pimisi Station stands out with stunning design, architecture, artwork and landscaping.
The platform level of the station is also unique in that the design is not symmetrical between the eastbound and westbound platforms. The eastbound platform is capped by tinted glazed panels (Birch forest fence), while the westbound platform is enclosed by a slanted wall with vertical glass slits that look out towards the plaza.
PUBLIC ARTWORK
Each of the integrated artistic elements at Pimisi Station pays homage to the Algonquin relationship to the land – specifically to the eel, the birch and the ash tree. The intent of artist Nadia Myre has been to both celebrate Algonquin culture and to remind visitors of the fragile ecosystem we inhabit.
Artwork descriptions provided by the City of Ottawa
Title: untitled (Pimisi/Eel)
Artist: Nadia Myre (Montreal, QC)
The eel is sacred to the Algonquin people and has been an essential part of their culture for thousands of years. It is a source of spirituality, medicine and nutrition. To mark that significance, an 8-metre-tall chromed eel is being created as a beacon and a landmark at the station. Standing vertically in the aqueduct next to the station, the eel will be installed with its head diving into a fissure between rocks, its surface reflecting and disappearing into its surroundings.
Title: untitled (Woven basket)
Artist: Nadia Myre (Montreal, QC)
Facing the north entrance on the lower level plaza, a three-metre sculpture of a split-ash woven basket will serve as a welcome area for visitors. Because the basket signifies trade, shared knowledge and abundance, it will be an apt symbol for the space, designed as a meeting place.
Title: untitled (Birch forest fence)
Artist: Nadia Myre (Montreal, QC)
The row of birch trees windscreen replaces the location of a planned snow fence, running parallel along the east and west side of the train platform and will be fabricated out of tinted glazed panels.
Title: Algonquin Canoe
Lead artist: Simon Brascoupé (Ottawa, ON)
Artist: Emily Brascoupé-Hoefler (Ottawa, ON)
Artist: Sherry-Ann Rodgers (Gatineau, QC)
Artist: Doreen Stevens (Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg, QC)
Artist: Sylvia Tennisco (Pikwàkanagàn, ON)
Occupying a place of prominence in the station's concourse the installation Algonquin Canoe Paddle features 100 paddles, each hand-painted by Algonquin Anishinabe artists and arranged in the shape of a canoe. The piece is inspired by the Algonquin teaching that it takes many people to paddle a canoe.
While the artists involved were of all ages – youth, adults and elders alike – the project was led by internationally known Algonquin artist Simon Brascoupé. Brascoupé mentored four Algonquin Anishinabe artists – Emily Brascoupé-Hoefler, Doreen Stevens, Sherry-Ann Rodgers and Sylvia Tennisco – who in turn conducted paddle-making and painting workshops in Algonquin communities throughout the region. The paddles created through that process were featured at art exhibits both in Algonquin communities and in Ottawa before being installed at Pimisi Station.
Title: Algonquin Moose
Artist: Simon Brascoupé (Ottawa, ON)
Brascoupé's sculpture of a moose is installed at the west end of the Pimisi plaza. Measuring 3.7 metres in height, the sculpture is big enough for passengers, pedestrians and motorists alike to enjoy. The sculpture, which faces the rising sun, is red to represent fall colours and life.
Artists: Simon Brascoupé, Claire Brascoupé and Mairi Brascoupé
Pimisi Station also features designs inspired by the ancient art of Algonquin birch bark biting. This process traditionally involves using the teeth to create intricate designs on pieces of birch bark. Designs created by Brascoupé and other artists are applied to the station's glass windows. They represent Algonquin teachings such as the sacredness of all things, relationships and seasonal cycles.
- Opening Date: September 14, 2019
- Line: Confederation Line
- Previous Station: Lyon (840 metres)
- Following Station: Bayview (730 metres)
STATION RIDERSHIP (November 2019)
- Balanced Boardings: 89,000
- Weekday Average: 3,600
- Weekend Average: 1,400
Balanced boardings are the average number of entries and exits at O-Train stations.
