MONDAYS PRESENTATION!! Below is a rough draft (pardon the errors) of PART of the text of my presentation to council at Mondays meeting... If you like what you read; if it sounds plausible and inspiring, wait until you hear and see the rest on Monday and come show your support. I can talk until Im blue in the face. But, if council doesnt see you backing me up at the meeting, it sends a message I know you dont want to send... *begin* While our ultimate goal remains the restoration and return of the bridge to its original place, that goal need not preclude - and may even compliment - any number of intermediate, or what may become, permanent, adaptive reuse scenarios. Once at Mike Weir Park, one of them could be relatively easily tacked back together and propped up for display purposes. If the trusses have been thoughtfully salvaged and disassembled and the opportunity arises, they could then be more thoroughly rebuilt to their full structural integrity. (slide) Why, even the $3000+ our group managed to raise in just a 2 week campaign, would likely go a long way toward allowing our volunteers to get an initial protective coat of Tremclad onto a truss, get it propped up and into a display configuration. (slide) Once thats accomplished - and theres no reason to believe it couldnt be completed over the next construction season - we will have achieved Step 1. The displayed truss (or trusses, as the case may be), would then be a focal point and rallying place of further fundraising efforts. We could mount an adopt a rivet campaign; (there are over ____ rivets in the bridge!). People could go right up to the truss, pick out a rivet and buy, or sponsor it. (slide) Or, they could go to an online virtual 3D model of the bridge and pick out the rivet, or component, they wish to sponsor and see what parts other people and organizations in the community are helping to restore. (slide) We could stamp their initials into the end of the rivet and allow them to pick out a of a range of colours theyd like it painted. Or, even paint it themselves, at a special fundraising event. Even at a modest $10 a rivet, we could raise over _____. (slide) If we can raise, or otherwise gather the estimated $30 to $40 thousand, we can reinstall lighter duty floor beams and install new composite decking. At that point, we essentially have the makings of a bridge, or at least a platform, again. Step 2 becomes a reality. (slide) At that point, occurring perhaps within 2 to 3 years, we should have a much clearer perspective on the level of momentum weve established and can maintain and what resources we can draw on. Based on that knowledge, and over this time period, we will have explored and discussed with the community and all stakeholders, what will be realistically feasible, in terms of a permanent place and function for the bridge. By then, we will have formulated the plan to work toward that goal, as Step #3. Whether the end result of this process is a restored bridge, put back in place over the Cull Drain, or at another place a bridge is needed; or, as an observation platform in Wawanosh Wetlands (slides); or, it remains the more modest, but eminently appropriate function of an aesthetically pleasing historical display piece in Mike Weir Park - similar, perhaps, to the cannon in Canatara - can not be realistically foreseen from our current perspective. (slide) But, one thing we have seen and can see right now, from the community response to this issue, is that there is a desire to see this bridge preserved in some meaningful way and a will for people to invest even their own private resources to see if happen. (slide) Undoubtedly, the fundraising, planning and preparation for this final step may take two, three, or more years. But, having accomplished at least step one, one good thing will always be true, regardless of how long the remaining steps take: this is, that throughout the process, even as one truss is taken away to be worked on, the other can remain at Mike Weir Park (or elsewhere), to continue to serve its display function. As the project progresses, the trusses can be swapped out. So, that at least one will always remain in the public eye, as an inspiration for the community to continue to work toward the goals they themselves will have chosen and supported. (slide) Councillors, consider your decision to salvage the trusses as the initial investment in this worthwhile endeavor of seeing this irreplaceable cultural heritage asset preserved. And take confidence in the ability of the community, if given the chance, the time and the assistance, to achieve a meaningful and tangible end result. At the very least, we will have a permanent physical reminder of our forefathers ingenuity, in a setting near where their work came to fruition and served so admirably and (not to forget) economically for over a century. And remember: If, between the salvage and initial adaptation for display of these salvaged trusses, the city invests $150k now, but the campaign is never able to get beyond that goal, still, this beautiful manifestation of our Sarnia bridge building expertise, will remain on display for another 50, 70, or one hundred years. The investment per year, over that time, is really quite modest, considering the priceless inspiration, pleasure and connection to our past that it will provide. *end*
Posted on: Sun, 07 Sep 2014 17:49:05 +0000
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