Today marks the opening of the Historic Kinsol Trestle. A Last Spike ceremony was completed by former Duncan mayor-Mike Coleman and a group of several hundred were then serenaded across the trestle by the lovely sound of bagpipes. The bridge will carry pedestrians ,hikers, and bikers, and will allow all to see more of The Cowichan Valley Trail with ease. The new bridge retains 60 % of its’ historic timber.
Local author /historian Tom Paterson who has been an advocate for years,was busy all day like a child with a new toy.Gord Macdonald and Steve Lawrence fielded questions on the massive project of restoring the span.Members of The Land Conservancy executive also came to see the fuss! The Shawnigan Lake museum had a kiosk along with The Duncan museum. There is a beautiful scale model in the Shawnigan LakeMuseum of the trestle-alongwith many other goodies for sale. Tom Paterson has created a trail map that is for sale directly or in the museum! TWPaterson.ca. A must have for the new through TCT !
A huge thanks to all who brought this project to the limelight! Ramsay Machineworks, Macdonald and Lawrence Timberframing, TripleM, Stantec ,Knappett Projects , Angle 5 Media, South Cowichan Rotary ,Commonwealth Group,and the CVRD along with many other contractors and tireless fundraisers! In memory and remembered for their kindness and dedication are former CN Rail engineer,Ralph Morris,and local historian Jack Fleetwood ,and photographers David Wilkie and Elwood White.
These men contributed to the project for many years. Rotary has once again gone the extra distance and built a beautiful trail along the river for added viewing of the structure-LOOK for the signs and watch for viewing platforms coming soon!! Filmographer Yvonne Mcnabb of ANGLE 5 media is busy producing a documentary of the entire project. They were the only firm to fully document the restoration……
In this day of shout outs-special thanks to -MLA John Horgan,Denise Savoie ,Jean Crowder ,Jack Peake ,Bill Turner (TLC), Dave Elliot and MarleneSpaeth,Kathryn Gagnon and Lori Treloar,Tiffany Weatherston,John Luton(Capital B/W) to name a few…… there are still so many…
The Kinsol Trestle was built by men who knew of no obstacles.
The same can be said of those who had the tenacity to save it from being demolished. OUR HISTORY must be celebrated….
