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BRIDGEKEEPERS AND REGION OF WATERLOO TEAM UP TO PAINT WEST MONTROSE COVERED BRIDGE

West Montrose – The Region of Waterloo is teaming up with BridgeKeepers (the West Montrose Residents’ Association) to paint the interior of the West Montrose Covered Bridge on Saturday, June 23. 

Volunteers recruited through BridgeKeepers will be painting the interior of the bridge, with materials and supervision provided by the Region. The BridgeKeepers anticipate it will take up to 15 volunteers to join in the effort.

“Local residents have always played a part in maintaining the bridge, and they take a lot of pride in doing so,” said Tony Dowling, spokesperson for the BridgeKeepers. “That goes right back to when the bridge was built in 1881 –  the bridge keeper would light the kerosene lanterns in the bridge each night, and shovel snow onto the bridge in the winter to allow the sleighs to slide over the wooden floor.”

“The bridge is the centerpiece of our community,” notes Dowling. “Although it’s owned by the Region of Waterloo, I think everyone in the village thinks of it as their own. We’re thrilled that the Region has been able to sort out the logistics to let us participate in this project.”

People over the age of 17 who are interested in volunteering to paint the bridge can contact Tony Dowling at 519-669-8911 or email info@bridgekeepers.ca.

Bridgekeepers is also encouraging local artists to come out that day to “paint the bridge” on their own canvasses, and children to paint miniature wooden models of the bridge (supplied by the BridgeKeepers). 

Built in 1881 by John and Benjamin Bear, the West Montrose Covered Bridge is the only remaining historical covered bridge in Ontario.  The Region of Waterloo has owned and maintained the bridge since 1998.  

BridgeKeepers, incorporated as the West Montrose Residents’ Association Inc., is a West Montrose-based association, whose mission is “to preserve the Covered Bridge Experience.” 

For more information, contact:
info@bridgekeepers.ca, or visit www.bridgekeepers.ca

Tony Dowling, BridgeKeepers, 519-669-8911
email: info@bridgekeepers.ca          

Tom Reitz, Manager/Curator, Waterloo Region Museum, 519-575-4530
email: treitz@regionofwaterloo.ca