From the Beehive E149: Imagination Station unveiled at Yarmouth Yards

St. Thomas just got a little more whimsical. This week we unveiled Imagination Station, a 25 foot, 10,000 pound sculpture now standing as the gateway to Yarmouth Yards Industrial Park at the corner of Dennis Road and Highbury Avenue.

Sarah from St. Thomas Economic Development joined the artist behind the piece, Ontario sculptor Briony Douglas, on site for installation, and it was ever an experience!
​
Briony's past work includes a PWHL tribute sculpture and a partnership with KitKat and F1, even an elephant piece that ties directly into St. Thomas's own Railway City history and our Jumbo connection.

It's easy to look at Imagination Station and see something playful, whimsical, maybe even a little like a piece from an amusement park. Look again. That childlike sense of wonder is the whole point.

Woodstock native Briony Douglas built her first permanent sculpture around the idea that imagination and possibility never really leave us; they just get bigger. At Yarmouth Yards, that same spirit is showing up in steel and concrete: a growing industrial park bringing generational jobs and investment to St. Thomas. The sculpture isn't just marking the entrance to the park. It's asking everyone driving past to dream a little bigger about what comes next.

We also caught up with Mayor Joe Preston and St. Thomas EDC CEO Sean Dyke to talk about what this landmark means for the industrial park, why public art matters to a growing city, and how projects like this help attract not just companies, but the people and families who choose to live, work, and grow here.

Plus, we've got a quick update on Downtown Oktoberfest, happening September 19th at the corner of Ross and Talbot Street from 2:00 pm to 9:30 pm, featuring all your Oktoberfest favourites like keg-tapping ceremonies, Bavarian Dancing, free train rides, the Jim Cuddy Band, and a drone show finale. Volunteers are always welcome.

St. Thomas is growing, building, and imagining big. Come see Imagination Station for yourself next time you're on the road.

Artist Statement about Imagination Station: Inspired by the timeless charm of a wooden toy train, this sculpture celebrates the memories, movement, and connections that railways have created across generations. The circular composition symbolizes an endless journey, reminding us that history continues to shape the present while inspiring the future. By transforming a familiar childhood toy into a monumental public artwork, I hope this sculpture encourages people to pause, smile, share stories, and create new memories together. It is a celebration of play, community, and the enduring power of imagination.

Full News Release